Head of Finance - Business Partnering

Head of Finance – Business Partnering – UA92

Anderson Quigley is delighted to be partnering once again with University Academy 92 (UA92) on the appointment of a permanent Head of Finance – Business Partnering.

Terms:

This is a permanent appointment based in Manchester, with hybrid multi-site presence of 2-3 days a week required across UA92’s campuses. The role offers a competitive market rate salary dependent on experience, with eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme of up to 10%. UA92 offers hybrid working, a comprehensive benefits package and an empowering, inclusive culture where colleagues are encouraged to do the best work of their careers. Lancaster University is our awarding body and a critical partner in our academic and financial governance.

We warmly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and particularly from those who are underrepresented at senior levels across the sector.

Who is UA92?

UA92 was created to challenge the traditional university model. Inspired by the Class of 92 and powered by our partnership with Lancaster University, we are a deliberately different higher education provider with a mission to increase access, transform lives and give every student the confidence to succeed. Six years on, we have built strong academic foundations, delivered outstanding outcomes and opened the door to thousands of students who might never have considered university an option. Now, we are preparing for the next phase of growth.

Overview of the role:

The Head of Finance – Business Partnering role sits right at the heart of how UA92 plans, invests and grows. Reporting to the Finance Director or Chief Finance Officer, you will be our lead voice for finance in everyday decision making, working shoulder to shoulder with teams across the business rather than operating from distance or in silos.

You will guide both annual and long range planning, including cash forecasts, quarterly re-reviews, budgets and the three-year plan. Your work will help senior colleagues, the Leadership Team and the Board make confident, well-timed decisions, ensuring every new idea or investment has a clear financial case behind it, paired with a realistic plan for delivering it.

UA92 moves quickly, and we need someone who brings financial clarity without slowing momentum. You will help teams understand performance, shape the numbers around new opportunities and connect planning to outcomes rather than paperwork. This is a role for a finance leader who enjoys being close to the action, solving problems in real time and building planning models that work because they are practical, trusted and understood by the people using them.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who combines commercial confidence with shared purpose, who leads with independence of thought, champions collaboration and wants to help build something better, fairer and deliberately different.

Essential criteria:

• To be considered for this role, you must hold a relevant degree or an equivalent professional qualification and be a member of a recognised UK professional accountancy body.
• You will already have extensive post-qualification experience operating at a senior level within a fast-paced, customer-focused finance environment in the UK.
• Prior experience working within higher education or another regulated environment is highly advantageous, and candidates from investor-backed or commercial higher education organisations will feel particularly at home.
• You must have demonstrable responsibility for departmental or organisational budgets, financial planning models, forecasting cycles, commercial performance analysis, and a record of translating complex financial information into structured and credible recommendations for institutional leadership teams and Boards.
• You will bring direct experience shaping business process improvements in areas such as finance business partnering, process standardisation, records management and operational finance.
• Experience in payroll, transaction-led finance and supporting senior external commercial negotiations (including suppliers, customers and finance providers) is also required.

How to apply:

If you wish to apply, please click below to be re-routed to the application portal. Should you wish to discuss the role further or for details on how to progress your application, please direct all enquiries to our advising consultants:

• Eva Tomka: eva.tomka@andersonquigley.com
• Akhil Yerneni: akhil.yerneni@andersonquigley.com

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to UA92. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisements. The closing date for applications at present is midnight on 16^th December. If you are particularly keen on expressing interest for this role, but the timescales pose an issue to your interest, please reach out to our advisors to explore any discretionary room.