Head of Management Accounting

A leading, internationally recognised higher education institution is partnering exclusively with a specialist recruitment firm to appoint a Head of Management Accounting on a permanent basis.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a large and complex organisation in a senior finance leadership position at a pivotal time. The organisation is investing significantly in the future of its Finance function through the implementation of a major cloud-based ERP system, enhanced business intelligence capabilities and the modernisation of its management accounting processes.

As Head of Management Accounting, you will play a central role in shaping this transformation while leading a high-performing team responsible for delivering financial insight across a broad non-academic and professional services portfolio.

The role

• Lead and develop a high-performing management accounting function of 11 finance professionals, creating a collaborative, high-performing culture centred on continuous improvement and exceptional customer service.
• Oversee management accounting and financial reporting for more than 30 support service departments, responsible for approximately £320m of annual expenditure and £185m of capital investment programmes.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and month-end reporting, ensuring timely, accurate and insightful financial information that supports strategic decision-making across the organisation.
• Act as the finance lead for the continued optimisation of a major cloud-based ERP system, driving process redesign, standardisation, automation and the adoption of AI to improve efficiency and reporting capability.
• Oversee financial accounting and statutory reporting for key subsidiaries, while leading external audit activity and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards, including FRS 102.
• Partner with senior leaders across Finance and Professional Services, providing commercial insight, challenging assumptions and influencing strategic decision-making.
• Work closely with the Finance Business Intelligence team to further develop reporting capability through Power BI and data-driven insights.
• Champion continuous improvement by reviewing existing processes, strengthening controls and embedding best practice across the management accounting function.

Essential criteria

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or CCAB).
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing finance teams.
• Strong management accounting, budgeting and forecasting expertise within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience leading process improvement, harmonisation and finance transformation initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge senior leaders.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including FRS 102.
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a highly respected, complex institution and play a key role in the continued development of its Finance function. You will have the opportunity to influence transformation, develop a talented team and work closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation.

The role offers an outstanding working environment, genuine opportunities for professional development and a comprehensive reward package designed to support career progression, wellbeing and work-life balance.

Benefits include

• Hybrid working, with 2–3 days per week office-based.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement, plus additional organisational closure days and Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, discounted sports facilities and occupational health services.
• Excellent family-friendly policies, including enhanced parental and carers' leave and childcare initiatives.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities to support long-term career progression.
• A wide range of employee discounts, travel schemes and lifestyle benefits.

Apply now

If you're an ambitious finance leader looking for an opportunity to shape the future of management accounting within a complex, internationally recognised institution, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a permanent, full-time position based at the organisation's London campus, operating on a hybrid working model.

Applications close on 6 September, with interviews scheduled for 16 September.