We are looking for a new Director of Finance & Resources for an Academy Trust based in East Cheshire. This is a key strategic and operational support role to the Head and is a valued member of the Senior Leadership Team. Providing strong financial and operational leadership, whilst maximising commercial opportunities as they move into the next, exciting phase of the Trust’s strategic development.
THE JOB
Reporting directly to Headteacher, you will be responsible for ensuring the effective strategic leadership of commercial operations and operational support services, including Finance, Legal, Estates, Leisure, IT, HR, Communications & Catering and act as the academy’s Chief Financial Officer.
Key duties and responsibilities:
- Advise and provide key insight to the SLT and governors in determining the strategic business direction
- Create, manage and submit the Schools budget to the governing board and ESFA
- Forecast future years’ budgets, based on estimated funding and trends in expenditure
- Financial reporting and statutory returns to the regulator
- Cashflow forcasting and treasury management
- Develop and implement the school’s fundraising and income generation strategy
- Leadership of the academy finance function and strategic direction for Estates, IT, Legal, HR, Communications, and Catering
- To provide operational management, guidance, co-ordination and development of the multifunctional team
- Lead on procurement processes, ensuring value for money
- Lead on the school’s compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements
- Support the Head of Estates & Leisure, Network Manager and HR Manager in developing, maintaining and implementing the 5 year strategic plan for their respective areas
Person
- You must be an experienced Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a solid experience in financial reporting & control, strategic financial planning and budgeting
- You will be able to demonstrate a strong track record of successful leadership at a senior level and reporting to the board
- Experience working within the education sector or similar not-for-profit would be ideal, but we welcome applications from other sectors to bring new ideas that can be adapted to the Trust and innovate
- The role has a breadth and variety to it not often seen in finance, so experience in handling things such as commercial contracts, income generation, project management, and managing the wider corporate services is very beneficial
