Head of Finance & Risk

We are looking for an experienced finance leader to join our growing central team, someone with passion and drive to support our schools in delivering an effective service through tenacious leadership and experience.

As Head of Finance and Risk, your role will be to lead the finance team in a growing Trust (23 schools) and be responsible for all aspects of financial management and control, the provision of management information and input to strategic financial planning.

This post will provide personal and professional development opportunities in a role where you know you are making a real difference.

Full time or part time - We value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you, please state this in your application as we are open to discussing agile working opportunities during the hiring process which could include job share or opportunities for part time working

Job Purpose: 

• The financial management and control of the group, being the provision of management information, and input to strategic financial planning.
• Lead the finance team to enable them to work smarter instead of harder by developing the technology and reporting platforms. 
• Lead the finance team by providing mentorship, coaching, and performance management to ensure high performance and professional development.

We are looking for someone who;

• Holds a recognised full accountancy qualification and with extensive expertise in financial management.
• Has a strong understanding of financial analysis, forecasting, and budgeting methodologies.
• Is experienced in operational processes such as estate management, human resources, and information technology.
• Has a proven track record of building and nurturing trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Is an excellent communicator

 Key Tasks and responsibilities

- Responsible for day-to-day management of the finance function

• Managing a team including conducting annual reviews
• Providing mentorship, coaching, and performance management to ensure high performance and professional development.
• Knowledge of HR policies and procedures
• Provide a consistent and approachable point of contact for stakeholders.

- Oversight of the month end process and monthly management accounts preparation

• Preparing management accounts for review by the CFOO and CEO
• To provide accurate monthly departmental profitability/cost reports to budget holders in a timely manner, and to work with budget holders to explain actuals and question over/underspends
• To understand the rules and regulations associated with all income streams (ESFA, local authorities etc.) and to ensure that all income is recorded accurately in the management accounts
• Work with the Chief Finance and Operations Officer and School Business Managers to design, develop, improve and test internal financial management reports, dashboards and business intelligence queries to better inform the business
• Assist the preparation of the annual budget for the Trust and Academy schools To assist with the preparation of reforecasts (two during the academic year) for presentation to the board and ESFA as needed
• To prepare ad-hoc reports for meetings with the bank, the ESFA and other third parties when required

- Assist with cashflow monitoring to ensure adequate liquidity and funding for Academy operations

• Preparing weekly cash flow reports
• Assisting with monthly cashflow forecasts

- Responsible for the preparation of the annual audit, from the planning stage through to the field work and to assist with the preparation of the Financial Statements

• Be the main contact for the auditors
• Ensuring all evidence is provided by the agreed deadlines
• Respond to audit queries as they arise
• Implement all audit review findings into the Trust’s controls and procedures  

Please see Recruitment Pack attached for further information and full job description.

Closing Date:  5:00pm, 5th May 2024
Interview Date(s): Tuesday 14th May 2024

Please note that we reserve the right to interview on application should a suitable candidate apply and we have the right to withdraw this advert prior to the closing date. You are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the role as soon as possible.