Interim Director of Finance and Operations

MLC Partners is recruiting an Interim Director of Finance and Operations on behalf of a leading education organisation. The role carries executive responsibility for financial leadership, commercial performance and operational delivery across a complex faculty and its associated activities. The postholder will sit on several senior leadership and executive teams, acting as a trusted adviser to the faculty lead and governing bodies.

This is a high-profile interim engagement requiring immediate availability. The successful candidate will strengthen business planning, oversee financial performance and help ensure that resources and services are aligned to the organisation's strategic objectives. A qualified CCAB accountant with substantial higher education or senior commercial experience is essential.

• Act as a strategic financial and commercial adviser to senior leadership and executive teams.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and performance monitoring across the faculty.
• Provide commercial guidance on pricing, business modelling, new programmes and investment opportunities.
• Develop and review business cases, assessing financial viability, risk and long-term sustainability.
• Manage relationships with internal professional service teams to maintain agreed service standards and efficient resource use.
• Identify and manage financial and operational risks while supporting transformation and growth initiatives.

• Qualified accountant with current membership of a recognised CCAB accountancy body.
• Significant senior finance, commercial or operational leadership experience within the education sector.
• Experience in a university or higher education institution is highly desirable.
• Proven track record developing business cases, financial models and strategic financial plans.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including working with executive leaders and governing bodies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing, multidisciplinary teams and operate autonomously within a large, complex organisation.

MLC Partners is a specialist interim management and executive search firm. They support public sector and education organisations in sourcing senior finance, commercial and operational leaders for interim and permanent appointments across the UK.