Chief Finance and Operations Officer | Pioneer Educational Trust

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Chief Finance and Operations Officer Pioneer Educational Trust

Pioneer Educational Trust is a nationally recognised Multi-Academy Trust driving an innovative approach to education and learning. Following an executive restructure, the Trust is seeking a Chief Finance and Operations Officer to drive the central services and harness the talent in our Trust.

• Location: Hybrid/Slough (homeworking)

Pioneer Educational Trust is at an exciting point in its journey. We are seeking a Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO) to join our executive leadership team.

You have the opportunity to shape our central services, providing leadership and oversight across finance, operations, IT, premises and resource management, ensuring that our Trust’s central team and schools continue to thrive.

You will join a Trust built on a commitment to its young people, staff, and communities, so it is important that you embody our values and are committed to pioneering an exceptional education to all learners, regardless of background.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to invest intelligently, inspire collaboration, and pioneer new approaches so that all of our learners have equal access to an exceptional education.

We believe in education that consciously liberates — preparing young people not just for academic success but for thriving in an increasingly interconnected world.

At the heart of Pioneer is our unwavering commitment to the well-being, development, and success of both students and staff. Our leadership prioritises ethical and relational practices, building an environment where high expectations and trust empower staff and students alike.

Our culture is guided by principles of inclusion, diversity, and belonging, creating a cohesive, supportive environment for all.

We pride ourselves on being a great place to work. Our WorkWell Promises demonstrate this commitment, providing opportunities for professional growth and flexible working practices that support work-life balance. Through continuous consultation and engagement with staff and stakeholders, we have developed a culture of innovation and evidence-led practices that help us meet the needs of our communities and beyond.

About the role

The Chief Finance and Operations Officer will join our executive leadership team. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CFOO will be responsible for delivering our strategic agenda and driving transformative change across the Trust’s financial and operational functions. This is a newly shaped role, offering you the chance to influence the future of our Trust by leading key functions, including finance, estates, procurement, IT, and operations.

We see the CFOO as the driving force behind the development of our central service team, so the successful candidate must be a competent leader with innovation, entrepreneurship, and strong business acumen.

You will join a thriving leadership team at an exciting time of change. We have finalised our 2030 vision that focuses on continuing to develop our excellent education for all of our learners, driving growth and ethical leadership.

Together with our highly effective, generative and supportive board of trustees, our CFOO and Trust leadership will drive our transformation whilst ensuring we remain committed to our mission.

The CFOO will maintain the Trust’s financial health and sustainability while aligning with our growth ambitions. You will oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting to the Department for Education (DfE), ensuring we meet statutory and regulatory requirements.

By leading financial strategies, you will ensure that resources are used optimally to support educational excellence and foster an inclusive, thriving learning environment.

The CFOO will manage our estates and capital strategy, ensuring our schools are sustainable and inspiring places to learn.

You will lead on procurement, resource management, and digital innovation, working closely with school leaders to address challenges and enhance operational efficiency.

As Pioneer continues to expand, you will oversee the integration of new schools ensuring they align with our vision and culture. This role will also involve developing and implementing risk management policies to safeguard our Trust’s assets and reputation.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a leader who is passionate about education, adept at navigating complex financial landscapes and committed to ethical leadership. You will bring a strategic mindset, strong management experience, and a desire to make a positive, lasting impact on our Trust and the communities we serve.

We seek an experienced and strategic leader to join our Trust as Chief Finance and Operations Officer. It is not essential for you to be a qualified accountant, though, the ideal candidate will be highly skilled in financial and operational management.

You will have a proven track record of senior financial leadership, ideally in the education or public sector, and a thorough understanding of regulatory compliance, risk management, and resource optimisation.

We seek a strategic thinker who can deliver innovative financial solutions aligning with Pioneer’s vision and mission. You will be a strong communicator who is able to build trusted relationships across our executive team, board of trustees, school leaders, and external stakeholders. Your ability to provide clear, impartial advice and strategic guidance will be key in ensuring that our Trust’s financial health supports its educational goals.

You will also be adept at leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, focusing on promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Your leadership will empower our teams to deliver exceptional service across all operational areas, from estates management to IT infrastructure.

Your commitment to the development of those around you and your own professional growth will be vital to your success in this role.

Beyond technical expertise, we seek someone who embodies Pioneer’s values of ethical leadership, inclusion and collaboration.

You will be deeply committed to ensuring that all learners, regardless of their background, have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. In return, we offer a supportive, innovative, and inclusive working environment where you can make a meaningful, lasting impact on both our Trust and the wider education system.

Peridot Partners and Pioneer Educational Trust are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

This is a really exciting time to be joining Pioneer Educational Trust. As we take the next steps in our journey, we need the right person to join us in a pivotal new role as our Chief Finance and Operations Officer.

Not only will you help shape this new role, but you’ll also play a crucial part in shaping our Trust and our people.

Join us on our mission to invest intelligently, inspire collaboration, and pioneer so that all learners in our family of schools have equal access to an exceptional education that consciously liberates.

We are incredibly proud of our schools’ achievements and the strong relationships that exist between them.

Accessibility information

Core to our work is providing equal access to exceptional education for all pupils in our schools. We take pride in having led our schools to ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted ratings.

We recognise the inequality in our society and champion the vulnerable and disadvantaged through our commitment to driving equality, promoting inclusion, and fostering diversity.

As an NSPCC-trained trainer, our Associate Director of Safeguarding is a local leader in safeguarding, working with multiple agencies and contributing to the national voice. Our Associate Director of Student Welfare ensures that relationship and health education are of the highest quality and that the mental and physical health of the pupils is supported through all that we do.

We also seek to foster diversity and drive equality in our workforce. We participate in the following networks: WomenEd, BAMEed, LGBTed, and #DisabilityEd, and we were proud to host the Diverse Educators III Unconference in January 2020 at Upton Court Grammar School.

We continually seek ways to ensure that we foster even greater diversity on our workforce and drive equality through being a national leader in flexible working in schools.

Applicants with a disability are invited to contact us in confidence at any point during the recruitment process to discuss steps that could be taken to overcome operational difficulties presented by the role, or if any adjustments or support are required regarding the recruitment process.

For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:

To access a full job description and application details,
please fill out the form below.

To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.

Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.

Please ensure that your CV, completed application and self-declaration forms are emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Pioneer Educational Trust – CFOO” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.

As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive, and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.

Timetable

Closing date: Sunday 27th October 2024
Candidates informed of outcome: By Thursday 1st November 2024
First stage interviews: Tuesday 5th November 2024 and Wednesday 6th November 2024
Second stage interviews: w/c Monday 11th November 2024