Financial Controller

Job description

If you’re a seasoned Finance Manager or Senior Finance Professional with a passion for leading teams, driving improvement, and delivering impact, this could be your moment.

At Edinburgh Napier University, we're looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking Financial Controller to lead a high-performing team and drive financial excellence at Scotland’s top modern university.

Location: Sighthill, Edinburgh

Grade (8) Full-time, Permanent

Reporting to: Director of Finance

Shape the Future of Finance at Edinburgh Napier University

At Edinburgh Napier University, our values – professional, ambitious, innovative, and inclusive – are at the heart of everything we do. We’re seeking a dynamic and visionary Financial Controller to join our Finance & Operations leadership team and play a key role in delivering strategic financial excellence for a modern, ambitious, and forward-thinking institution.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing financial reporting and compliance team at Scotland’s top modern university, and one of the UK's leading institutions for graduate employability and applied research.

As Financial Controller, you will:

Lead on statutory and regulatory financial reporting, ensuring compliance with sector-specific requirements and wider financial standards, including FRS102 and SORP.
Manage the production of high-quality management information, financial statements, and internal controls, supporting strategic decision-making across the University.
Provide inspirational leadership to a team of expert accountants in reporting, budgeting, systems and control.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement and automation across financial operations.
Represent Edinburgh Napier externally with key stakeholders including auditors, regulatory bodies, and sector networks.

You will work closely with senior colleagues to support the delivery of our institutional strategy and play a key role in strengthening the University’s financial resilience, transparency, and performance.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for a qualified CCAB accountant with a strong technical background, sound knowledge of UK GAAP, and significant experience in financial control, risk management, and team leadership. You’ll bring:

Proven experience in statutory reporting and financial compliance.
A proactive approach to process improvement, change management, and stakeholder engagement.
High-level analytical, interpersonal, and organisational skills.
The ability to inspire teams, mentor staff, and drive a culture of service excellence and innovation.
A sound understanding of relevant financial legislation and sector-specific practices — including areas such as indirect tax, charitable finance, and cost recovery frameworks — would be particularly beneficial.
Experience within the higher education or public/charitable sector is desirable, but not essential.

Why Join Us? At Edinburgh Napier, we don’t stand still. You’ll be joining a supportive and ambitious finance team during an exciting phase of strategic development. We offer:

A collaborative, values-driven environment.
Hybrid working opportunities and family-friendly policies.
Excellent pension and generous annual leave entitlement.
Continuous professional development.