Reference Code - 8394
University of the West of Scotland (UWS), a dynamic and socially-driven institution with origins dating back to 1897, is seeking an exceptional Vice-Principal (Finance & Infrastructure) to help steer the University through a critical and exciting period of change. With five campuses, over 24,000 students drawn from more than 100 nationalities, a turnover exceeding £160 million, and a bold Strategy 2030 focused on transforming communities through research and education, UWS is an anchor institution with real national and global impact.
The University is seeking a proven financial leader to join the Vice-Chancellor's Executive and take strategic ownership of its finance, estates, IT, and procurement functions. Reporting directly to Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor James Miller, you will serve as Chief Financial Officer and trusted adviser to the governing body, shaping long-term financial sustainability, overseeing a major capital and digital infrastructure agenda, and ensuring that resource decisions are in lockstep with UWS's academic and civic ambitions. You will lead a professional services community of approximately 260 colleagues across four directorates.
We are seeking an experienced leader with a proven track record of senior financial leadership in a complex environment. You will be a qualified accountant with the strategic acumen to develop and deliver financial plans, and the broader to leader diverse teams across multiple professional service areas, supporting research growth, digital transformation, and estate development. As comfortable engaging governing bodies and external regulators as you are inspiring and developing internal teams, you will bring the personal authority, resilience, and collegiate instinct that this moment demands.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a University that is ranked 2nd in Scotland and 26th in the world for reducing inequalities, and is internationally recognised for the quality of our research and education. If you are ready to bring financial leadership with genuine social purpose, and to play a pivotal role in an institution that exists to make a difference, we would very much like to hear from you.
For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification, and how to apply, please click the 'Request More Information' button below to access the Candidate Brief.
For informal inquiries please contact Thomas Cameron at Thomas.Cameron@perrettlaver.com
The closing date for applications is 09:00 am BST on Monday 18th May 2026.
Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in.
As defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, and our legal basis for processing your personal data is ‘Legitimate Interests’. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website https://perrettlaver.com/privacy-policy/.
