Head of Financial Planning

35 hours 

The University of Buckingham is among the ten smallest universities in the UK and is rightly proud of its distinctive features, including its independence from direct government funding, its accelerated degree model, and its commitment to a personalised student experience. 

As a self-financing institution, financial sustainability, effective resource allocation and robust strategic planning are critical to the University's continued success and independence. The Finance function plays a central role in supporting institutional decision making, ensuring financial resilience and enabling delivery of the University's strategic objectives. 

The Head of Financial Planning is a senior member of the Finance leadership team, working closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Head of Financial Operations and University Executive. The role provides strategic leadership for the University's financial planning, performance management and business partnering activities, ensuring that financial insight, forecasting, modelling and analysis support decision making at all levels of the institution. 

Key experience required:

The successful candidate will bring significant experience in strategic financial planning, business partnering and performance management within a complex organisation. We are seeking an individual who can demonstrate:

• Proven leadership of financial planning processes, including annual budgeting, forecasting, medium and long-term financial planning.
• Experience developing and implementing financial planning frameworks, performance management methodologies and robust financial models to support strategic decision making, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to senior stakeholders.
• A track record of leading the financial evaluation of major investment proposals, business cases, organisational change initiatives, commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Advanced financial modelling skills, including scenario planning, investment appraisal, resource allocation modelling and financial sustainability assessments.
• Strong business partnering capabilities, with the confidence and credibility to provide constructive challenge, support and guidance to senior leaders.
• Experience of working within higher education or another complex, multi-stakeholder organisation would be advantageous.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and advanced Excel skills.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong financial planning experience within a complex organisation.

What can we offer you?

We might be small, but we can still offer plenty of perks! In addition to an Aviva Pension scheme, we offer: 

• Beautiful working environments across our campuses in Buckingham
• 30 days annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Christmas closure
• On-site gym and exercise classes
• On-site catering facilities
• University bookshop with staff discount
• Free on-site parking
• Excellent opportunities to network and continue learning across a variety of departments
• Discount of courses for staff and their families 

As a key member of the Finance leadership team, this role requires a three day on-campus presence, typically three days per week, to build effective relationships and support institutional decision-making.

Please note: if successful, offer is subject to standard checks, including qualifications, eligibility to work in the UK on a permanent basis and DBS (if applicable)

The closing date for applications is 24 July 2026. We encourage candidates to apply as early as possible, as applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a suitable candidate be appointed. 

For further information and details of how to apply, please click the above 'Apply' button.

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