About this role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Income to join a leading London-based university on a permanent basis. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, this role will provide strategic leadership across the institution's income function, overseeing the full income lifecycle and ensuring robust financial controls, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across both student and commercial income streams.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and manage the University's income function, including student billing, accounts receivable, credit control, debt management and non-student income activitiesProvide strategic leadership and direction to the Student Fees and wider operational teamsEnsure resources are effectively deployed to deliver high-quality services and achieve operational objectivesDevelop a high-performing, customer-focused income function that supports students and internal stakeholdersOversee financial controls across the income lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, compliance and effective governanceMonitor reconciliations, suspense accounts, debt provisions, bad debt management and audit actionsIdentify, assess and mitigate operational and financial risksInvestigate historical issues and implement sustainable corrective actionsDrive continuous improvement, standardisation and automation of income management processesWork closely with Finance Systems and key stakeholders to improve efficiency, controls and reporting capabilitiesLead operational change initiatives and support finance transformation programmesDevelop and monitor KPIs across billing, collections, debt management and income processing activitiesProduce meaningful management information and performance reports for senior leadership teamsAnalyse trends, identify challenges and recommend service improvementsBuild strong relationships with stakeholders across Finance, Registry, Student Support and wider University departmentsMaintain policies, procedures and controls to ensure compliance and financial best practiceAct as a senior point of escalation for complex income-related mattersLead, develop and motivate managers and operational teams to deliver excellent service outcomesReview structures, workloads and operating models to maximise efficiency and effectivenessPromote a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement Ideal Candidate Profile:
CCAB qualified accountant or equivalent senior-level financial management experienceSignificant leadership experience within income management, accounts receivable, credit control or financial operationsProven experience managing managers and leading large operational finance teamsStrong knowledge of billing, income processing, collections, debt management and financial controlsExperience managing reconciliations, operational risk and governance frameworksDemonstrable track record of delivering process improvements and operational change initiativesStrong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks and implement practical solutionsExcellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge at senior levelExperience developing KPIs and using management information to drive performance improvementsAbility to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levelsHigher Education finance experience, particularly within student billing and fee collection, would be advantageousKnowledge of Student Loans Company processes desirableExperience managing commercial or non-student income streams desirableExposure to finance transformation programmes, automation initiatives and enterprise finance systems such as Oracle fusion desirable Location: London
Working Pattern: Hybrid
Day Rate: £51,753 - £61,759 per annum
Contract Type: 12 - 18 month Fixed Term Contract
Start Date: Mid October
This vacancy will be actively shortlisted, so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out.