Chief Finance Officer (CFO)

HEARTS Academy Trust is looking to appoint a dynamic, enthusiastic, commercially astute, pupil-focused and knowledgeable CFO to provide strong and effective leadership, strategic direction and vision for our pupils, families, staff and communities.

Please note the below is a summary. The full job and person specification will be available on the link provided.

Please note that we are unable to accept CVs. In order to apply for this position you will need to follow the link in the advert.

The role of the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a crucial strategic appointment, supporting HEARTS to provide and enhance the already excellent opportunities and learning for our pupils. The role, alongside all roles in HEARTS Academy Trust, is focused on pupils, their well-being, safety and education.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic financial leadership
• Financial management and control
• Preparing and monitoring budgets and delivering annual accounts
• Participation in relevant Executive Team, Trust Board and Local Advisory Body meetings, ensuring that the CEO, Executive Team, Trustees, and LAB members are fully informed, as required.

Other essential experiences include:

• Leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams
• Strategic financial management across multiple sites
• Business analysis, managing and supporting business improvement
• Understanding of risk management, particularly in relation to finance
• Strategic leadership, including setting whole-organisation goals and managing teams to achieve objectives
• Overseeing and completing the budget preparation process
• Auditing payroll to ensure regulations are met
• Strong technical skills and IT literacy
• Proven track record of successful leadership and management experience, at a senior level
• Experience of leading an organisation through a period of budgetary reduction, growth and expansion
• Familiarity with financial processes and procedures, including those related to internal/external audit

Preferred Experience:

• An accountancy qualification from a recognised, professional body such as the ICAEW, CCAB, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA
• Educated to a degree level or substantial, equivalent level of work experience
• Management of contractors and third-party organisations
• Exposure to human resource matters
• Knowledge of school-based accounting and management information systems (ie. Xero)
• Knowledge of the Academy Trust Handbook and related regulations, including DfE systems and processes
• Experience working in an educational setting
• Experience in obtaining additional sources of funding & income