Chief Finance Officer | Middlesex Learning Partnership

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Chief Finance Officer Middlesex Learning Partnership

Middlesex Learning Partnership is a high-performing multi-academy trust with two Ofsted ‘Good’ and one Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ schools. They seek a strategic financial leader to provide outstanding support to schools and to help drive trust growth.

• Location: Hillingdon

Who we are

Our mission at Middlesex Learning Partnership is for all our young people to benefit from an inclusive, purposeful and broad education, no matter their background or needs. We achieve this by building a strongly collaborative group of schools enabled by outstanding trust support services.

We currently operate two ‘good’ primary schools and one ‘outstanding’ secondary school, and we are in discussion with several schools interested in joining our trust in the near future.

We want to change the world. One child at a time.

About the role

We seek a Chief Finance Officer to join the Middlesex Learning Partnership, a dynamic and inclusive group of schools in Hillingdon and Hayes.

As CFO, you will work closely with a highly skilled executive team, including the CEO, Director of People and Organisational Development, and headteachers.

The CFO role is an exciting, strategic leadership role crucial to driving financial excellence and supporting the trust’s ambitious growth and development plans. Reporting directly to Ben Spinks, Chief Executive, the CFO will lead all financial operations across MLP, ensuring financial compliance, robust budgeting, and value for money across all schools within the trust.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will shape the strategic direction of MLP, impacting decisions that will guide the future success of the trust.

As CFO, you will manage the trust’s finance team, leading the development, support and performance management of staff.

You will also oversee key operational processes, such as payroll, pensions, and compliance with statutory regulations, including DfE and ESFA requirements.

You will also oversee procurement and contract management processes, ensuring that key suppliers and partners deliver maximum value.

With every penny in schools counting, you will also lead our work to maximise income generation and access grants and funding that will help amplify our impact.

Accurate and timely financial reporting will be central to your work, ensuring that senior leaders, trustees, and governors have the information they need to make informed decisions.

You will also develop and maintain a strong internal control framework and lead the preparation of annual statutory accounts, working with external auditors to deliver clean audit opinions.

The CFO role offers a challenging but rewarding opportunity to make a real impact on the future of MLP, helping to deliver outstanding educational experiences for all students.

MLP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and the CFO will be expected to uphold this commitment in every aspect of their work.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated Chief Finance Officer (CFO) with a background in financial leadership and a commitment to supporting educational excellence.

The ideal candidate will come with relevant financial qualifications, a proven track record of implementing robust financial systems, processes, and controls, and a passion for using financial expertise to enhance school performance and student outcomes.

While experience in the education sector is desirable, it is not essential; what matters most is your ability to manage and develop effective financial systems that deliver clear, actionable insights to senior leaders, governors, and trustees.

As CFO, you will also demonstrate excellent leadership abilities, with experience in building and leading high-performing teams. You will be adept at managing staff performance, development, and training, ensuring that your team remains motivated and aligned with the strategic goals of the trust. You will bring a collaborative approach to leadership, able to foster strong relationships with headteachers, school leaders, and external stakeholders.

In addition to technical financial skills, we are seeking someone with outstanding organisational and stakeholder management capabilities. You should be able to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to non-experts, helping to inform decision-making at all levels.

You will have the ability to prioritise competing demands, manage tight deadlines, and deliver challenging objectives, all while maintaining the highest standards of financial compliance and accuracy.

Moreover, you must share MLP’s commitment to inclusion, well-being, and academic excellence. This role demands a leader who acts with integrity, placing students at the heart of decision-making and contributing to the broader civic responsibilities of the trust.

If you are detail-oriented, results-driven, and eager to take on a strategic leadership role in a thriving multi-academy trust, we would love to hear from you.

Peridot Partners and Middlesex Learning Partnership 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.