Chief Financial Officer UHI North, West and Hebrides

As an anchor institution based in 19 locations across Scotland, UHI North, West and Hebrides aims to transform lives, strengthen communities and support economic and social prosperity. Through accessible, high-quality education, research and skills development, we create opportunities for people to live, work and study across our unique and diverse communities, empowering students to shape their futures in a rapidly changing world.

Following a period of significant transformation and with an ambitious strategy guiding our journey to 2028, we are focused on delivering sustainable growth, enhancing the student experience, supporting regional development and ensuring long-term organisational resilience.

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer to join our executive leadership team at this important stage in our development. The CFO will play a pivotal role in shaping the College’s future, providing strategic financial leadership, driving long-term sustainability and ensuring the organisation is well-positioned to deliver on its ambitions for students, staff, communities and the partners we serve across multiple regions.

This role also offers a chance to embrace a different pace of life, with world-class outdoor experiences right at your doorstep.

Who we are

Proudly rooted in the culture and landscapes of the North and West Highlands, Skye and the Outer Hebrides, we bring together rural, coastal and island communities through distinctive learning and research shaped by their needs, ambitions, and place.

With 19 campuses, we deliver a broad range of further and higher education programmes, alongside professional and short courses that support 9,000 full-time, part-time and online learners at every stage of their educational journey.

Our campuses are deeply embedded within the communities we serve, creating inspiring learning environments that reflect the unique character of each location. From industry-standard learning spaces and specialist teaching facilities to quiet study areas, vibrant social spaces and state-of-the-art equipment, every campus is designed to help students thrive, achieve their ambitions and make the most of their learning experience. Our network of campuses provides accessible, high-quality education in some of the most stunning and distinctive locations in the UK.

The postholder will also play a critical external leadership function, developing and maintaining effective relationships with partners, funders and key stakeholders; actively identifying and securing opportunities that enhance financial resilience and support the College’s wider mission, impact and ambitions.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced and qualified leader who brings financial leadership experience in a similarly complex organisation.

The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of financial stewardship and resource accountability, along with deep expertise in strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial sustainability.

The postholder will also provide experience in effective financial governance and assurance, including reporting to Finance and Audit Committees and ensuring that robust control environments, risk management frameworks, and compliance standards are consistently maintained.

Given the scale and strategic importance of the role, the successful candidate will also bring substantial experience in building and sustaining effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior internal leaders and external partners.

You will have an understanding of and appreciation for public or charity sector finance. Alongside this, we welcome your expertise in financial control, risk management, well-developed commercial acumen, and the ability to balance financial discipline with enabling investment, growth and innovation.

We are looking for a collaborative and inclusive leader with a visible, engaging leadership style. You will be a confident communicator, able to influence at all levels, remain calm and effective under pressure, and bring a strategic, solutions-focused approach to complex and evolving challenges.

As a key requirement of the role is to support the organisation’s continued financial recovery by delivering efficiency programmes and driving cost improvement initiatives, prior experience successfully leading similar change while maintaining focus on organisational vision, values, and long-term strategic priorities would be advantageous.

Communities are an important part of life across the region. They are welcoming, connected and proud of their heritage, with a strong sense of identity rooted in place. Living here means being recognised, getting involved and having the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution, both professionally and personally.

While these areas can feel remote, they are increasingly well connected. Digital infrastructure continues to improve, and transport links by air and ferry make it possible to stay closely connected to the rest of Scotland and beyond. This allows for a way of working that combines national-level responsibility with the benefits of a more grounded lifestyle.

Homes and surroundings offer a different kind of value, with more space and closer access to nature than is typical in larger cities. Whether based in a small town, a coastal village or on an island, there is a strong sense of balance between work and life.

For many, choosing to live here is not just about location. It is about making a deliberate move towards a different pace, a stronger connection to place and a more fulfilling way of living alongside a senior and impactful career.