Newham College London is a large, ambitious further education college serving one of the UK’s most diverse boroughs. We are focused on improving life chances through high-quality education, strong employer links, and long-term investment in skills and estates. To support this work and strengthen our financial resilience, we are appointing an Executive Director of Finance.
Reporting to the Chief Finance & Operating Officer and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will provide clear and confident financial leadership that supports effective decision-making across the organisation.
You will lead the College’s financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning, alongside robust reporting, cash management, and the effective control of financial risk. You will also oversee key operational areas including payroll, pensions and transactional finance, ensuring high standards of compliance and governance in line with public sector requirements.
We are looking for a fully qualified accountant who can combine strategic insight with strong operational grip, communicate complex information in plain English, and develop a high-performing finance team. If you are seeking a role where your expertise directly supports students and communities, and where you can influence major investment and planning decisions, we would welcome your application.
This dedicated microsite has more information about us, allows you to apply online and if you’d like to have an informal and confidential conversation about joining us, please do contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley, Sophie Rees or Paul Aristides.
In November 2024, Newham College of Further Education and NewVIc Sixth Form College merged to form Newham College London. The College is now the largest provider of post-16 education in the London Borough of Newham.
The College operates from campuses in East Ham, Stratford, Plaistow, and Canning Town, which is home to the London City Institute of Technology (LCIoT). It also delivers learning from community venues in Manor Park and Forest Gate. Each year, Newham College London supports over 11,000 learners across A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, technical and vocational programmes, apprenticeships, adult learning, and higher technical education.
The merger brought together two respected institutions with deep local roots. Newham College, founded in 1985 with origins dating back to the late 1800s, was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022 and has been recognised nationally for its contribution to meeting local skills needs. NewVIc, based in Plaistow and established in 1992, built a strong reputation as one of London’s most inclusive and academically successful sixth form colleges, with a long-standing commitment to social mobility.
Today, Newham College London educates around 4,500 16–18-year-olds and approximately 7,000 adult learners and apprentices. With four campuses, two community-based centres, more than 700 staff, and a combined turnover of £60 million, the College is one of the borough’s largest employers and a significant contributor to Newham’s economic growth and civic development.
Newham College takes a prudent and disciplined approach to financial forecasting. In recent years, it has consistently outperformed its budget, actively pursuing opportunities while not relying on them within its base assumptions. The College aims to meet or exceed FE Commissioner benchmarks and, where required, delivers efficiencies to maintain financial strength.
The College has achieved five consecutive years of Outstanding financial health, including in 2025 when it merged with NewVIc. This reflects a strong and stable cash position, with a minimum of 68 cash days, a steady and achievable EBITDA of around 6% each year, staff costs at approximately 65% of income, minimal borrowing, and £1.8 million of annual self-funded capital investment once the current £14 million Stratford Campus new build is complete.
Our campuses provide safe, inclusive and high-quality learning environments, where student ambition and attainment sit at the heart of everything we do.
Our curriculum is shaped by national, regional and local priorities, informed by strong employer partnerships. This work is underpinned by robust safeguarding, a strong focus on personal development, and a modern, high-quality teaching culture.
We work with a wide range of employers, including Barts Health NHS Trust, Amazon, Lloyds Banking Group, and Transport for London, to co-design industry-informed pathways that support progression into work and further study.
As co-lead of the London City Institute of Technology, we work closely with Queen Mary University of London to deliver specialist provision in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, engineering, and transport.
As an anchor institution, our guiding vision is to be a transformative force for good, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, can thrive, achieve, and progress into meaningful futures. We actively celebrate and champion our students’ achievements, from university progression and apprenticeships to personal milestones and stories of resilience.
Newham College London is committed to delivering an ambitious, inclusive and forward-looking education offer that empowers every learner to access opportunity, reach their full potential, and succeed in Newham and beyond. This commitment is underpinned by four core organisational commitments that guide our efforts to increase educational impact, strengthen economic resilience, and improve social mobility across Newham and East London.
We are committed to supporting every student to achieve their full potential. We provide high-quality, inclusive education and training that prepares learners for their chosen careers, ambitions, and the challenges of the future.
We are committed to attracting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects our values and ambition. We invest in continuous professional development, empower staff autonomy, and develop leadership at every level, ensuring our staff are skilled, professional and aspirational for all our students.
We foster a culture of inclusivity in all interactions with students, staff and stakeholders. Our shared behaviours and professionalism reflect our values and promote a safe, inclusive, respectful and welcoming environment.
We are committed to providing high-quality learning environments that support every student’s journey. This includes industry-standard equipment, modern teaching spaces, dedicated student areas, and facilities that enhance learning, wellbeing and progression.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title Executive Director of Finance
Department Finance
Reports to Chief Finance & Operating Officer
Grade Leadership Tier 3, Spot Salary £100,786 as at August 2025 plus skill supplement if market requires
Contract Full-time, Permanent
Location East Ham Campus/Others As Required
The Executive Director of Finance is a key member of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), supporting the CFOO to provide strategic financial leadership to the College. The role oversees all financial operations, including planning, reporting, payroll, and transactional services, ensuring the financial sustainability and effective use of resources to support the College’s strategic objectives. The post holder will create and lead a high-performing finance team, providing vision, direction and expertise to deliver robust financial governance and manage the College’s financial operations and long-term financial planning.
Strategic Leadership
Financial Planning & Control
Financial Operations
Governance & Compliance
Leadership & Team Development
All leaders employed at Newham College must demonstrate a commitment to:
PERSON SPECIFICATION
All of the following are considered essential unless otherwise noted
Education/Qualifications
Experience
Knowledge and Skills
This is a full-time, permanent leadership role, based primarily at the East Ham Campus, with travel to other College sites as required. The post sits at Leadership Tier 3, with a spot salary of £100,786 (as of August 2025), plus a potential market-related skills supplement where required.
The role reports to the Chief Finance & Operating Officer and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to executive decision-making, financial planning and governance. The post holder will support Board and senior leadership reporting cycles, including budget approval, statutory returns and compliance reporting.
As a senior leader, the role carries responsibility for upholding safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and public sector financial requirements. The post holder is expected to maintain relevant continuous professional development and demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and sustainability.
Additional Benefits
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Newham College London. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
The closing date for applications is 23 February 2026.
Applications should consist of:
Should you wish to discuss further details about the role in strict confidence, please get in touch with either:
Sophie Rees- sophie.rees@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0) 7719 313 982
Paul Aristides paul.aristides@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7743 927 988.
| Closing date for applications | 23 February 2026 |
| Longlist meeting | Thursday 26 February |
| Preliminary interviews | Wednesday 4 - Friday 6 March |
| Shortlist meeting | Thursday 12 March |
| Final Panel | Thursday 19 March (all day in person) |
newham.ac.uk 