Financial Controller (Director of Financial Control) £90k+

Role: Director of Financial Control

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

Peers: Director of FP&A (Deputy CFO), Director of Procurement

Team: Head of Transactions, Head of Financial Accounting

(a broader function of 30-40 FTE)

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. Set within its Guildford-campus, its 2500 staff provide exceptional teaching and practical learning to over 15,000 students. A home to research excellence, Surrey provides world-class research facilities and an environment to nurture, develop academic research into real world commercial applications.

With an already strong global reputation, operating branch campuses internationally the University of Surrey is further developing its international footprint, through establishing new overseas branch campuses, and joint institutes subsidiaries.

The University is seeking to appoint its Director of Financial Control, a critical leadership role in ensuring financial integrity, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency of its financial function across the University and its subsidiaries.

Reporting directly into the Chief Financial Officer, you will form a key part of the senior finance leadership team and will provide accurate, timely and strategic oversight and will be instrumental in ensuring sustainable financial health, responsible for:

• Statutory Accounting and Audit Management
• Monthly Close and Financial Reporting
• Banking and Treasury Management
• Financial Control and Operations Oversight
• Budgeting, Forecasting and Strategic Planning
• Regulatory and Tax Compliance
• Corporate and Intercompany Governance
• Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

The successful candidate will be a finance professional who is values-led; blends authentic, emotionally intelligent leadership with technical expertise, and has proven ability gained within a large and complex organisational context. An accomplished leader who works collaboratively across all stakeholder groups and can engage, inspire, and influence at all levels.

Qualifications

Candidates will be a Qualified Accountant, with a relevant degree/postgraduate qualification or equivalent. They will have significant leadership experience in the broad finance function and specialist FC areas.

The University of Surrey has engaged the services of The McLean Partnership, to whom applications should be sent by Midnight, Friday 29th August 2025. To apply, please send a concise covering statement and CV to The McLean Partnership via [email protected], reference: UoS/DFC.

Initial Meetings and Engagement: mid-August

Formal Interviews and Appointment: 18th September 2025.

A full job spec is available at https://surrey.mcleanpartnership.com. For an informal and confidential conversation before applying, please call Caius Freeman on 07517 950 934.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase diversity in our community. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, women and people with disabilities.