Finance Manager (maternity cover)

As Finance Manager (maternity cover) in the Department of Computer Science, you will be at the heart of financial leadership in one of the world's most prestigious computer science departments. With an annual budget of £19M and responsibility for over 240 research projects valued at £66M, this is an exceptional opportunity to shape and drive the financial strategy of a dynamic, world-leading institution. You will work closely with the Head of Administration and Finance (HAF) to provide expert guidance, ensuring robust financial management and compliance while supporting the department's cutting-edge research and teaching activities. Managing a talented team of finance professionals, your leadership will foster innovation, operational excellence, and collaboration across the department. Key aspects of the role include:

• Strategic Leadership: Partnering with senior leadership to align financial planning with departmental priorities.
• Operational Excellence: Overseeing budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and compliance to ensure financial sustainability.
• Team Leadership: Mentoring a high-performing finance team to deliver exceptional results.
• Collaborative Impact: Acting as a trusted advisor to academic and professional staff on complex financial matters.
This role offers a balance of strategic influence and operational responsibility, alongside the flexibility of hybrid working, requiring a minimum of three days per week on-site. This role is available as a fixed-term contract or, for internal candidates, as a secondment., The Department of Computer Science at Oxford is renowned for pioneering research and teaching across diverse fields, consistently ranking among the best in the world. Our commitment to innovation drives us to tackle complex technological and societal challenges. What We Offer As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:
• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working, with a minimum of three days per week on-site to facilitate key stakeholder engagement and project integration.

We are seeking an experienced finance professional with a recognised CCAB accounting qualification, who thrives in a dynamic and collaborative environment. You will bring significant expertise in financial leadership within a complex organisation, demonstrating both technical proficiency and strategic acumen. Essential qualities include:
• Proven ability to manage diverse financial functions, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, within a large organisation.
• Experience of providing strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders, coupled with excellent analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to convey complex financial information to a varied audience.
• Demonstrable experience in team leadership, fostering a culture of professional growth and high performance.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, with the ability to adapt and drive change in a fast-paced environment.
If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Computer Science - Wolfson Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QD, The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.