Trust Finance Director

Job Purpose:

The Finance Director will play a pivotal role in supporting the CFOO by providing operational leadership and financial management across the Trust. The postholder will lead day-to-day finance activity, with a particular focus on the secondary phase schools and shared services, while providing oversight of primary phase finance. Working within the strategic financial framework set by the CFOO, the Finance Director will oversee financial planning, compliance, reporting and risk management across all academies within the Trust ensuring robust financial controls are in place and that key financial risks and issues are escalated appropriately.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the CFOO in the development, implementation and delivery of the Trust's financial strategy, ensuring alignment with the Trust's educational priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Lead finance activity for the secondary phase schools and shared services team, including preparation of annual budgets, forecasts and financial plans, and direct line management of the secondary school finance managers.
• Provide oversight of primary phase finance through line management of the Head of Primary Finance, operating within the strategic financial framework and overall oversight of the CFOO.
• Ensure the timely preparation and submission of all statutory financial returns, including Budget Forecast Returns and other Department for Education (DfE) requirements
• Oversee financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with the Academies Trust Handbook and DfE requirements.
• Lead and manage the Trust’s finance team, providing guidance to finance managers and senior leaders while fostering high performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective financial controls, policies, and procedures are in place and adhered to.
• Monitor financial performance and provide insightful analysis to support decisionmaking.
• Support capital projects, including financial planning and reporting for estates and infrastructure developments.
• Contribute to risk management processes, including financial risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Monthly GAG transfer statement preparation for all schools, along with raising BACs/account transfers/posting requirements for other schools. Distribution of DfE remittances and filing.
• Coordinate the operational delivery of statutory external audit requirements, acting as the main day-to-day contact for auditors and escalating key issues to the CFOO as required. Second in charge for internal audit
• Central Bank Account Coordination. Ensure that all schools move to agreed banking platform and manage all signatory information and banking controls .
• Ensure implementation of all Chart of Account changes, Policy and Procedures
• Lead communications to finance managers on changes to Access, Chart of Accounts, Financial Policy Changes and preparing draft Financial Policies and Procedures (FPP) annual updates.
• Collect information from respective schools for audit reporting, and other statutory reports.
• Pensions audit co-ordination.
• Provide support for finance training across our schools and shared services
• Deputise for CFOO when necessary (finance committee, audit committee)
• Lead the continuous development of the finance function, promoting high standards of performance, customer service, professional development and continuous improvement.

This is a not definitive list of responsibilities as the CFOO may need to delegate key responsibilities when support is needed.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally within the education or public sector.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations relevant to educational trusts (e.g., Academies Trust Handbook).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage complex financial information and present it clearly to nonfinancial stakeholders.
• High level of integrity and commitment to the Trust’s values and mission.

Desirable:

• Experience working within a multi-academy trust or similar organisation.
• Knowledge of financial systems used in education (e.g., Access, PS Financials, Sage).
• Experience in managing capital projects and funding streams.

Benefits

• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme employer’s contribution of 17.4%
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days.
• A supportive Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Collaborative and supportive working environment.