Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Location: Memo House, Kendal Avenue, W3 0XA

Contract: Full time-Contract, 12 months

Fairfield School of Business (FSB) is a community-focused higher education provider with teaching locations in London, Birmingham, Leicester, and Sheffield. We provide high quality, industry-relevant qualifications in business, criminology, counselling, and healthcare management for people who want to improve their professional and personal circumstances but have found that traditional education routes do not align with their current life and commitments.

FSB’s mission is to facilitate increased accessibility to high quality qualifications by providing transformational learning experiences that meet or exceed the renowned standards of UK education. We are now seeking to appoint a Chief Financial Officer, to be based at our head office in Memo House.

Reporting to the CEO, the CFO leads the finance function and supports institutional growth, academic excellence, research activity, and strategic decision-making through robust financial planning, governance, and performance management. 

Key responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial modelling and business planning.
• Oversee accounting, treasury, cash flow, payroll, taxation, investments and financial controls.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory, audit and governance requirements.
• Manage financial risk, sustainability, resource allocation and revenue growth initiatives.
• Support major strategic projects, business growth plans and investment decisions.
• Lead and develop the finance team while building strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.

Key Performance Indicators (including but not limited to)

• Achievement of agreed financial targets and budgets.
• Financial sustainability and organisational performance.
• Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting and forecasting.
• Effective cash flow, treasury and risk management.
• Compliance with regulatory, audit and governance requirements.
• Delivery of efficiency improvements and value-for-money outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a related discipline.
• Professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
• Significant senior financial leadership experience, ideally at CFO, Finance Director or equivalent level.
• Proven expertise in financial planning, reporting, governance, risk management and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience managing complex budgets, multiple income streams and organisational growth.

Desirable

• Experience within higher education or a similarly regulated environment.
• Knowledge of higher education funding, grants and research finance.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strategic financial leadership and commercial awareness.
• Strong analytical, communication and decision-making skills.
• Expertise in governance, compliance and risk management.
• Effective leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• Experience with ERP systems, financial modelling and reporting tools.

Overall Accountability

The CFO is accountable for safeguarding the institution's financial integrity and long-term financial health, ensuring resources are effectively managed to support academic excellence, student success and sustainable institutional growth.