Chief Finance Officer

Vacancy Summary

Chief Finance Officer

Starting salary: £55,000, within the pay range £55,000 - £60,000.

Full Time, Permanent

Vacancy Information

The Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust Board of Trustees are seeking to appoint a Chief Finance Officer to lead our finance team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a values-driven and ambitious Academy Trust in the next stage of our development. The successful candidate will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, the Central Team, the Board of Trustees and school Headteachers to help us achieve our strategic objectives, effectively lead the Trust’s finances and contribute to the strategic direction and future of our Trust. The CFO will have a key role in the Trust Executive Team, contributing to Trust-level decision making and strategies for future growth and development.

The CFO will be responsible for ensuring strong and robust financial management across all schools in the Trust. In line with the Owlcotes Strategic Plan, the CFO will have a crucial role in the delivery of the Trust’s objectives in a sustainable and measured way.

The Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust finance team consists of:

• CFO (vacancy)
• Trust Accountant (full-time)
• Senior Finance Officer (full-time)
• Two (part-time) Finance Assistants.

The responsibilities for this position will include:

• Effective collaboration with the CEO, CIO and the Board of Trustees;
• Financial oversight of the schools within our Trust and the central team;
• Line management of the finance team;
• Supporting school Headteachers to manage school budgets with rational spending and staffing structures;
• Liaising with the ESFA, DfE, external and internal audit, and other relevant outside agencies;
• Ensuring compliance with financial regulations;
• Regular financial reporting to the Board of Trustees and its finance sub-committee.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be an effective leader and communicator;
• Be proactive in their work and model professional integrity at all times;
• Have experience in a finance role;
• Be appropriately qualified – ideally possessing, or working towards, an accountancy qualification from an accredited provider;
• Have an understanding of the financial framework that Academy Trusts operate within;
• Have an understanding of the principles of public sector spending, in particular how to demonstrate value for money;
• Have a willingness to engage in professional development and training opportunities;
• Possess a positive, solution-focused mindset.

Staff are our most important asset and Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust can offer a range of benefits such as:

• The opportunity to work within a successful and growing Trust, committed to providing the best opportunities for all pupils and staff;
• A friendly and accommodating team of school staff and central team staff;
• The opportunity to lead the financial strategic direction of the Trust;
• Ongoing training and support tailored to the successful candidate’s needs;
• An employee benefits and discounts scheme via Perks at Work, including salary sacrifice schemes such as Cycle to Work;
• A generous employee pension scheme.

We believe in investing and supporting our staff to be the best that they can be, as well as giving people ownership of their responsibilities and the autonomy to be proactive. This is a role in which you will get the opportunity to thrive.

Adverts and job descriptions can never provide the full picture to candidates and visits to the central team office are encouraged. Visits to meet the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Information Officer and further discuss this exciting role can be arranged at mutually convenient times during the weeks commencing 8th, 15th and 22nd January 2024. Please contact Joe Wilson, Chief Information Officer, at 0113 8874523 or j.wilson@owlcotesmat.org to arrange a visit.

Successful applicants will undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to employment and will abide by Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust policies, procedures, and safeguarding and child protection policies.

The deadline for application for this role is Thursday 1st February 2024 at 12 noon.

If you are interested in applying for this role, please see the full job description and employee specification in the recruitment pack. Applicants can either download the application form from https://www.owlcotesmat.org/vacancies or email recruitment@owlcotesmat.org to request a copy of the application form. Please send your completed application form to recruitment@owlcotesmat.org.