The University of Exeter is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of top UK research universities, having ranked in the top 150 universities in the world and the top 15 UK universities in prestigious global and national league tables.

The University has around 30,000 students from more than 150 countries, as well as alumni, academics and global university partners that bring the world to Exeter and take Exeter to the world. In the most recent National Student Survey we were ranked first amongst Russell Group universities for overall satisfaction.

Last year, despite the challenges of the pandemic, we increased our research awards to £120 million and our outstanding progress was recognised in the results from the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, in which we increased the proportion of our research which is world-leading by more than 60 per cent and increased the size of our research community by 70 per cent since the last exercise eight years ago – more than any other Russell Group university. We are now ranked 18th in the UK for research power, which is a rise of three places in an extremely competitive field, and 12 of our disciplines are placed in the top 10 for world-leading impact in their area.

Launched in October 2021, our new Strategy 2030 aims to use our outstanding education, research, and global connections to lead meaningful action against the climate emergency and ecological crisis; make key breakthroughs to transform human health and wellbeing; and lead the progress towards creating a fair, socially just and inclusive society. Our vision is to be a globally-networked university, offering outstanding education and research opportunities for our communities, and creating strong global partnerships to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and to increase the diversity of our student population.

This year we have also completed a reorganisation of our structures, reconfiguring our academic leadership into three Faculties and ensuring our Professional Services teams are fully aligned to help develop and deliver the Faculties and Department’s strategies and plans. As part of this restructure, a new division was created. Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services combines Finance and Procurement with Estate Services, Sustainability and Campus Services to provide a high-quality staff and student experience whilst also helping to develop sustainable capital strategies for all of the University’s campuses.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Divisional Director of Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services is a key member of the University’s Executive Board, and will have a direct reporting line to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, as the CFO, in terms of their accountability for the institutional budget and financial strategy. They will also be a fundamental member of the Professional Services’ Directors Leadership Team, with a reporting line to the Registrar and Secretary as an Executive Divisional Director, leading a diverse team of specialists who provide services and support to the Faculties and the University.

We encourage you to arrange a discussion with our search partner, Odgers, to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

Professor Lisa Roberts Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

Mike Shore-Nye Registrar and Secretary