Head of Income (Interim)

About the role

An exciting interim opportunity to lead the income function of a leading London‑based university. Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will provide strategic leadership across student and commercial income streams, ensuring robust financial controls and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the university’s income function, including student billing, accounts receivable, credit control, debt management and non‑student income activities.
• Provide strategic direction to the Head of Student Fees & Finance and wider operational teams.
• Develop a high‑performing, customer‑focused income function that supports students and internal stakeholders.
• Oversee financial controls across the income lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, compliance and effective governance.
• Monitor reconciliations, suspense accounts, debt provisions, bad‑debt management and audit actions.
• Identify, assess and mitigate operational and financial risks, implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement, standardisation and automation of income management processes.
• Lead operational change initiatives and support finance transformation programmes.
• Develop and monitor KPIs across billing, collections, debt management and income processing.
• Produce management information and performance reports for senior leadership.

Required profile

• CCAB‑qualified accountant or equivalent senior‑level financial management experience.
• Significant leadership experience within income management, accounts receivable, credit control or financial operations.
• Proven experience managing large operational finance teams and delivering process improvements.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with ability to identify risks and implement solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing senior leaders.
• Higher education finance experience, particularly student billing and fee collection, is advantageous.
• Knowledge of Student Loans Company processes and commercial income streams is desirable.

Required skills

• Oracle Financials
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