The Role
With a joint reporting line into both the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive as CFO and the Registrar and Secretary as Executive Divisional Director of Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services, they will provide strategic financial advice and guidance as well as developing and delivering the University’s capital, estates and commercial strategies.
The Role
Reporting to the Registrar and Secretary, the Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global provides strategic leadership for the University’s marketing across the globe, reputation management, communications, digital communication, global partnerships, student recruitment and admissions, and fundraising activities.
The role is accountable for proactive support of the delivery of:
All student number targets across all cohorts of undergraduate, postgraduate, online and new markets such as degree apprenticeships. This accounts for £300m of the University’s revenue with the ambition to grow to £400m.
The brand and reputation of the University across the globe.
A £150m philanthropic campaign.
Engagement with over 170,000 alumni.
Engagement with all staff and students through communications and digital channels across all campuses and offices including staff in China, India and Malaysia.
The role holder is responsible for the University’s financial strategy and ensuring that the University’s overall strategy is financed efficiently, effectively and sustainably.
They also have overall responsibility for providing the necessary financial insight and commercial awareness to underpin strategic and operational decision making by the University’s Executive Board (UEB) and Council.
They lead a diverse team of specialists who provide services and support to the faculties, external partners and the University as a corporate entity.
As one of eight Divisional Directors, they are a member of the Professional Services’ Leadership Team and support the Registrar and Secretary in the achievement of Professional Services objectives and the successful implementation of its business plan.
As a member of the UEB they play a key part in ensuring the continued success of the University, sharing collective responsibility for the achievement of the University’s strategic priorities and associated delivery plans.
Image gallery
Key Responsibilities, Main Duties and Accountabilities
Responsible for (People)
Assistant Directors and Directors within the Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services Division.
Ways of Working
The CFO and Executive Divisional Director will promote ways of working within the Division that embody these characteristics:
Agility and flexibility: to respond effectively to rapidly changing demands and to be innovative and maximise opportunities.
Fluidity: in terms of reporting relationships and sense of “belonging”, so that colleagues feel empowered to work collaboratively and inclusively towards agreed objectives and without silos.
Connectedness: promote connections between the component parts of Professional Services at every level to inhibit development of silos, and with the academic and student community to enable greater alignment with the University’s core objectives.
Efficiency: to eliminate unnecessary duplication of effort, streamline decision-making, release more time for activity that adds value and which considers our commitment to sustainability.
Inclusivity: to value the contribution that all bring and to promote an approach that allows our staff and students to contribute fully and effectively.
World class, research-intensive universities.
Top 150
in The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022.
163rd
in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
12th
in the UK by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
Top 50
in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022.*
Main Duties and Accountabilities
- Responsible for the University’s financial strategy and ensuring that the University’s overall strategy is financed efficiently, effectively and sustainably.
- As a full member of the UEB, share collective responsibility and accountability for the performance of the University and delivery of University strategies. Working in partnership with UEB colleagues to deliver the University’s core strategies; actively role model the University’s expected leadership values and behaviours, promoting a culture of equality and inclusion, represent the University nationally and internationally to enhance our external profile and generate benefits for the University as a whole.
- As a member of the Professional Services’ Leadership Team, share responsibility for the effective leadership and management of Professional Services and play a full role in its executive functions.
- Provide strategic advice to the Vice-Chancellor and the University Council on matters which relate to compliance with the terms of the Financial Memorandum of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Audit Code of Practice, articles of government and banking covenants.
- Working within the framework determined by the University and the Registrar and Secretary, provide strategic and operational leadership for the Division. Responsible for developing and implementing agreed plans for the delivery of the services in the Division’s remit, and for deploying and managing approved budgets and other resources, ensuring that plans are implemented and monitored.
- Responsible for the effective line management of the Assistant Directors and Directors in the Division to ensure that the priorities set out for each sub-division are implemented effectively.
- Working through the Assistant Directors and Directors, ensure that (i) communication within the Division is managed well, and it is honest, genuine, accurate and informative, (ii) staff in the Division are managed effectively, (iii) supportive and responsive probation arrangements are in place for new staff, (iv) appraisal and promotion procedures for current staff are proactively managed, and, (v) that change is anticipated, initiated and managed with clarity, vision and a commitment to staff wellbeing.
- Responsible for the University’s financial strategy and ensuring that the University’s overall strategy is financed efficiently, effectively and sustainably.
- As a full member of the UEB, share collective responsibility and accountability for the performance of the University and delivery of University strategies. Working in partnership with UEB colleagues to deliver the University’s core strategies; actively role model the University’s expected leadership values and behaviours, promoting a culture of equality and inclusion, represent the University nationally and internationally to enhance our external profile and generate benefits for the University as a whole.
- As a member of the Professional Services’ Leadership Team, share responsibility for the effective leadership and management of Professional Services and play a full role in its executive functions.
- Provide strategic advice to the Vice-Chancellor and the University Council on matters which relate to compliance with the OfS Regulatory Framework and OfS and UKRI funder terms and conditions.
- Working within the framework determined by the University and the Registrar and Secretary, provide strategic and operational leadership for the Division. Responsible for developing and implementing agreed plans for the delivery of the services in the Division’s remit, and for deploying and managing approved budgets and other resources, ensuring that plans are implemented and monitored.
- Responsible for the effective line management of the Assistant Directors and Directors in the Division to ensure that the priorities set out for each sub-division are implemented effectively.
- Working through the Assistant Directors and Directors, ensure that (i) communication within the Division is managed well, and it is honest, genuine, accurate and informative, (ii) staff in the Division are managed effectively, (iii) supportive and responsive probation arrangements are in place for new staff, (iv) appraisal and promotion procedures for current staff are proactively managed, and, (v) that change is anticipated, initiated and managed with clarity, vision and a commitment to staff wellbeing.
- Working through the relevant Assistant Directors and Directors to oversee the effective provision of the full range of services provided by the division:
- Arrangements for financial and treasury management, procurement and financial systems.
- Arrangements for managing the budget setting process, providing financial advice and support to the faculties and evaluating business cases and investment proposals.
- Oversight of University financial planning and strategic delivery.
- Arrangements for development, maintenance and efficient usage of the Estate.
- Arrangements for the development and management of residential, facilities and commercial services.
- Ensuring that all services are efficiently managed, customer focussed, fit for purpose, secure value for money, maximise return on investment and provide relevant, timely and accurate advice and data.
- Has a direct responsibility for equality, diversity and inclusion, including compliance and delivery of the University’s equality and diversity objectives and external accreditation standards, and through creating an environment for staff to thrive, that is inclusive, promotes equality and supports diversity.
- Actively progress and drive the University’s ambition in respect of our sustainability agenda in conjunction with the Assistant Directors and Directors ensuring that this becomes embedded within operations and ways of working and fully considered at all stages of planning and strategic processes.
- Champion the University’s values of discovery, respect, excellence, inclusion and community, ensuring they are visibly progressed and embedded in the Division, whilst promoting a sense of collegiality, ambition and drive, encouraging a responsive and client-centred ethos.
- Actively role model the University’s expected leadership values and behaviours, represent the University (regionally, nationally and globally) as appropriate to enhance our external profile and generate benefits for the University as a whole.
- Report on delivery against targets as required.
- Accountable for health and safety within the Division and for ensuring the wellbeing of its staff.