Head of Financial Accounting, Systems and Operations

Location: Boston Spa / St Pancras

Contract: Fixed Term for 24 months

Hours: Full time (36 hours)

Grade: SB3

Salary: £62,866 - £ 81,731 (BSP) / £68,479 - £88,050 (StP) per annum

The Library is seeking a Head of Financial Accounting, Systems and Operations, a senior strategic role responsible for delivering comprehensive, efficient and effective financial services across the Library. This is a unique opportunity to lead high performing teams, influence organisational strategy, and ensure the Library continues to meet the highest standards of financial stewardship.

About the role

You will lead three critical functions — Financial Accounting, Finance Operations, and Finance Systems — ensuring the Library’s financial environment is robust, well controlled and future focused. You will also play a key leadership role as part of the Finance Senior Leadership Team, attending our Board Audit Committee and Board Investment Committee.

About You

You will be a CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant with substantial post qualification experience in financial accounting. You will bring strong technical skills alongside a strong understanding of both public and private sector financial and commercial issues. Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will act as a credible leader, be confident in making decisions independently and in leading change and improvement activity.

About us

We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets bigger every day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.

What we can offer you

25 days’ holiday plus 2.5 privilege days.
Access to a defined benefit Civil Service pension scheme.
Flexible working arrangements, including flexi-time.
Full details of employee benefits can be found on our Careers: Benefits

Things you need to know

We are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check (DBS check).
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse candidates and disabled candidates. Creating an inclusive workplace is the core of our business and a way to engage the diversity of thought that is essential to achieve our aims.

Closing at 23:59 on Wednesday 22 April 2026

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]