Financial Operations Controller

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to progress your career in a role that offers variety and development?

About the role

We are looking for a motivated and experienced finance professional to join the Finance Leadership Team, with a passion for continuous improvement and a keen people focus.  Reporting into the Director of Finance, you will lead the core financial operations within a complex organisation and play a key role in delivering the current and future priorities of the finance team.  An emphasis on financial controls and regulatory compliance will be essential to support the wider goals of financial sustainability.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead the financial operations and finance systems teams to ensure compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements.
• Lead the delivery of the student finance journey, optimising collection of student debt through internal processes and external debt collection partners.
• Take ownership of the University’s finance systems, ensuring fit-for-purpose with a development roadmap to support current and emerging needs.
• Act as the Anti-Fraud Officer on behalf of the CFO, overseeing the day-to-day management of the University fraud framework.
• Support relevant systems development projects, proactively ensuring delivery of finance requirements.

This role requires you to be on-site at least 2-3 days a week with flexibility to attend the workplace as required to meet business needs.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Karen Best: by email at karen.best@plymouth.ac.uk

We're looking for someone with:

• CCAB qualification or equivalent experience
• Passion for promoting a high performance and continuous improvement culture
• Experience in financial operations processes and controls
• Experience in managing complex finance systems
• Excellent communication and networking skills

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

Application Process

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Closing date:  122 midnight, Thursday 26 February 2026

Our Offer

A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by the University of Plymouth Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Plymouth. Employees of the University of Plymouth Services Limited work alongside the University of Plymouth colleagues in delivery of Plymouth’s strategic vision, and will adopt the University of Plymouth’s HR policies and procedures in full unless otherwise stated.

When joining us, you will receive:

• Generous annual leave: 25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.

Additional Information

The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages.

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