Full Time – 37 Hours
Permanent
Salary - SPOT
Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious and modern University, always open to fresh ideas and new ways of thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education and in doing the right thing for our students, our people, and our local community. This is what makes our BNU community such a special place to work and study — a place where those who want to make a difference can contribute, grow, and succeed.
Our University’s DRIVE values sit at the heart of everything we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering, ensuring we deliver the best possible experience for our learners and provide excellent service to our partners and to one another. Our commitment to these values is unwavering, and they remain central to our mission.
The Role:
Our CFO is accountable for BNUs' long-term financial sustainability, delivering outstanding financial leadership, challenge, and assurance. The CFO will act not merely as a technical finance lead, but as a strategist and enabler, allowing us to navigate uncertainty while protecting and strengthening our academic core.
Your strong strategic judgement and constructive challenge will enable you to excel as a principal adviser to the Executive and governing body. You’ll translate our strategy into robust and affordable financial plans delivered against a backdrop of sound financial planning and forecasting. You’ll move us from reactive to proactive financial management. Your outstanding commercial acumen will enable you to develop excellent external relations and ensure regulatory confidence.
We are a university that won’t stand still, that doesn’t settle for the status quo, and we will change the sector. We need a CFO with the commitment and tenacity to enable us to achieve unrivalled student outcomes.
To apply, we invite you to design your own job specification, setting out what you think a CFO’s key accountabilities should be and how you stack up. Please submit your CV with a covering letter including your successes and just as importantly, what you have learned from your mistakes… at BNU we celebrate continuous improvement, experimentation and innovation.
What we offer:
- a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- training & development support opportunities
- contributory pension scheme
- discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
- a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
For further information about this role, please get in touch with vice.chancellor.office@bnu.ac.uk
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process by contacting Sharon.egan@bnu.ac.uk. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role.
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
Closing Date: 6th March 2026
Interview Date: W/C 16th March 2026
If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
