Finance Transformation Lead

About the role

The Finance Transformation Lead will report to the interim CFO and, for specific projects, to the CFO of both the College and the Trust. This interim, full‑time position supports the disaggregation of a South London/Surrey education organisation, ensuring financial resources are managed in line with the institution’s vision.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the coordination and delivery of the operational separation of the College and Trust, maintaining service continuity and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain the overall separation programme plan, overseeing workstreams across People, Finance, HR, Payroll, IT, Estates, Procurement, Governance and Legal.
• Act as the central liaison between Executive Leadership, Trustees, legal advisers, HR, IT, Estates and Finance teams.
• Design and implement target operating models, shared‑service SLAs and future operating structures for both organisations.
• Manage critical‑path activities, dependencies and deliverables, and coordinate external advisers (legal, VAT, payroll, pensions, procurement, systems).
• Oversee internal audit actions, ensure compliance with DfE, charity, company and college regulations, and produce executive reports, board papers and business cases.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, change‑management and workforce transition planning, and establish benefits realisation and post‑implementation review processes.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading large‑scale finance transformation or separation programmes within the education or public sector.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (DfE, charity, company and college governance).
• Ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and manage senior stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working with internal and external auditors and managing audit trackers.
• Excellent analytical, reporting and communication skills.

Required skills