Associate Director of Finance Procurement

Vacancy ID

12516

College/Executive Group

Finance

Department/Team

Finance Senior Management Team

Location

Hybrid - CSM King's Cross/Home

Hybrid working

Flexible hybrid - 50% on-site, 50% WFH

Grade

Individual Contract

Salary

from £90,000 per annum

Contract

Permanent

Term

Full time - 35 hours per week

Job family

Professional & Administrative

Advertised

Agency managed

Apply by

5 July 2026 23:55

Interviews

TBC

Job description

The opportunity

University of the Arts London is seeking an exceptional procurement leader to join the senior Finance leadership team in a pivotal role reporting to the Chief Finance Officer to shape the future of procurement.

This is a unique opportunity to reposition procurement as a key enabler of organisational change across one of the world's foremost creative institutions. You will lead the transformation of procurement into a strategic, value-driving function that underpins UAL's ambitious goals.

You will:

• Design and deliver an integrated procurement model that enhances efficiency, drives value for money, and embeds sustainability at its core
• Lead the development and delivery of UAL's Procurement Strategy, aligning with the University's mission and financial sustainability objectives
• Transform procurement and purchasing functions, simplifying processes and embedding best practice
• Drive measurable improvements in value for money, efficiency, and sustainability outcomes
• Provide expert strategic advice to senior leaders across academic, research, digital, estates and commercial functions
• Lead and inspire a high-performing Procurement Team, delivering excellence in category, contract and supplier management

About you

You are a commercially astute and forward-thinking leader with a passion for transformation and sustainability.

You bring:

• A recognised professional qualification (e.g. MCIPS, CCAB or equivalent) with significant senior-level procurement leadership experience
• A strong track record of delivering procurement transformation in large, complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Deep knowledge of commercial best practice and relevant procurement regulations (including public sector frameworks)
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans that deliver value for money and organisational efficiency
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex data into compelling insight
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to inspire high-performing teams and drive cultural change

Application process

This recruitment campaign is being managed by an external recruitment agency - Morgan Law - who are dedicated to promoting an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants.

To request a full copy of the job description or for further information and application instructions, please visit

What we offer

To recognise the hard work of our staff and their contributions, we provide a wide range of benefits - please check our careers site/Canvas for further information as conditions and exclusions apply:
• 34 days of annual leave and 2 days off to volunteer plus bank holidays
• Flexible and Dynamic working options available from the first day
• Discounted Medical Insurance including Digital GP service, therapies, in-patient and day-case treatment
• Free counselling and advice via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Sector-leading Equal Parental Leave policy (6 months full pay for both parents)
• Defined-benefit LGPS pension scheme
• In-house training and development including apprenticeships and free places on creative courses
• Interest free loans on travel and tech, discounts on gym memberships, nursery fees, eye care and much more
• Various opportunities to attend student shows and exhibitions

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That's why we are proud to hold a Bronze Award from the Race Equality Charter (REC), are members of the Business Disability Forum and Employers for Carers, and maintain our status as a Disability Confident Scheme and Living Wage employer.