Head of Planning and Reporting

Lead a major finance transformation programme, bringing together a newly established finance function and shaping how a large, complex organisation delivers financial services.

We are partnering with a world–leading higher education organisation to appoint a Head of Planning and Reporting.

This is a newly created senior leadership opportunity, offering the chance to lead significant organisational change, build a high–performing finance function, and embed sustainable improvements across a complex, multi–stakeholder environment.

This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. Previously devolved finance teams are being brought together into a central function, creating the opportunity to strengthen financial control, improve consistency, streamline processes and establish a modern finance operating model.

If you are an experienced finance leader who enjoys transformation, complexity and creating better ways of working, this is an opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact.

Why this Head of Planning and Reporting role will advance your career:

Lead a large–scale finance transformation – take ownership of integrating approximately 80 finance professionals into a newly established function, creating consistency across processes, controls and service delivery.

Shape a new finance operating model – help define how finance services are delivered across a large, complex organisation, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, governance and stakeholder experience.

Build and develop a high–performing team – lead multiple teams through change, creating a collaborative culture and embedding new ways of working.

Influence senior stakeholders – partner with senior leaders across Finance, Faculties and Professional Services, providing insight, challenge and solutions that improve organisational performance.

What you'll do – and what you'll gain:

Lead people, culture and change

• Bring together previously devolved finance teams and create one cohesive finance function.
• Build trust, credibility and engagement across teams navigating significant change.
• Establish clear expectations, ways of working and a culture focused on collaboration and service excellence.
• Develop capability across a large and diverse finance team.

Strengthen financial delivery and governance

• Ensure consistent delivery of core finance activities including month–end, year–end, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Embed robust controls, improve data quality and strengthen financial governance.
• Ensure stakeholders receive accurate and timely financial information to support decision–making.

Drive transformation and continuous improvement

• Review existing processes and identify opportunities to simplify, standardise and improve ways of working.
• Reduce duplication, unnecessary complexity and inefficiencies.
• Support future systems and technology transformation, ensuring finance processes are scalable and effective.
• Lead improvements across people, processes and technology.

Partner across the organisation

• Develop strong relationships with senior stakeholders across Finance, Faculties and Professional Services.
• Provide practical financial insight and advice to support strategic priorities.
• Balance strategic transformation with maintaining high–quality operational delivery.

What you'll need:

• A recognised accounting qualification with significant post–qualified experience.
• Proven experience leading large finance teams through change or transformation.
• A track record of improving processes, controls and service delivery.
• Experience operating successfully within a complex, matrix organisation.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior level.
• Excellent understanding of operational finance, including reporting, planning and performance management.
• A pragmatic, solutions–focused approach with the resilience to manage ambiguity and competing priorities.

We are particularly interested in finance leaders who have successfully delivered transformation within complex organisations and can bring a strong change and service improvement mindset.

Location & working pattern:

Hybrid working, with a minimum expectation of two days per week in the London office (with potential for this to increase). Regular attendance will be required for key meetings and stakeholder engagement.

Ready to make your mark?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a high–profile finance leadership role at a transformational point in the organisation's journey, shaping the future of finance services for years to come.

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis, so early interest is encouraged.