Head of Finance Operations

Our client has an exciting opportunity for a Head of Finance Operations to join the team.

Salary: £58,225 - £67,468 per annum (Grade 8)

Job Type/Hours: Permanent – 35 hours per week

Location: Glasgow – Hybrid – 2 days a week in the office

Head of Finance Operations – About our client

Our client is a highly respected higher education institution operating in a complex, dynamic environment. They are committed to delivering excellence for all students. With a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, the organisation is investing in modernising its finance function to ensure it remains efficient, resilient, and customer-focused.

As part of an ambitious transformation journey, the finance team plays a vital role in supporting strategic decision-making, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Head of Finance Operations – The Role:

Our client is seeking an experienced and strategic finance leader to oversee and develop core finance operational services across the organisation. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and forming part of the Finance Leadership Team, you will lead the delivery of efficient, compliant, and digitally enabled finance operations.

This is both a strategic and hands-on leadership role, responsible for driving continuous improvement, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring finance processes are integrated effectively across wider organisational systems and functions.

You will lead operational finance teams covering payments, income, payroll support, cash management, treasury, expenses, and insurance administration, while championing automation and service excellence.

Head of Finance Operations – Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop operational finance teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement


• Oversee day-to-day finance operations, ensuring timely and accurate processing across payments, income, cash management, and expenses


• Support payroll operations to ensure staff payments and associated activities are delivered accurately and on time


• Lead treasury and cash flow management activities to support financial sustainability


• Manage operational insurance arrangements, ensuring effective administration and value for money


• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across Finance, HR, IT, Procurement, and wider professional services teams


• Act as a senior escalation point for complex operational finance issues

Head of Finance Operations – You:

• Significant experience within a senior finance operations role in a complex organisation


• Proven experience leading and developing operational finance teams


• Strong understanding of payroll, payments, income, cash management, and finance operations


• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills


• Experience delivering process improvements and systems-enabled change initiatives

Ability to design and implement efficient, well-controlled finance processes

• Experience within the higher education or public sector


• Experience in treasury management and insurance administration (desirable)

Head of Finance Operations – Benefits:

• Local Government Pension Scheme


• 35 days annual leave plus 11 statutory holidays


• Hybrid working environment


• Collaborative and forward-thinking working environment


• Ongoing professional development opportunities

To submit your CV for this exciting Head of Finance Operations opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now!

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