Finance Director
We are now looking for a strategic finance professional to embed our new structure and processes and help us to develop and implement a new financial strategy to support our next phase of development. This exciting and challenging role would suit an experienced Head of Finance or senior Finance Manager aspiring to grow into a Chief Financial Officer role in the future.
The successful candidate will bring together strategic thinking, exceptional people management skills and financial acumen, as well as an appetite for continuous improvement, to help us achieve excellence in our finance function. You will play a critical role in our Trust’s growth and development, ensuring that we remain financially stable and that school leaders and decision-makers have robust information with which to make financial decisions and achieve value for money.
Against a tough financial backdrop for all schools, and with some of our schools experiencing particularly challenging circumstances, you will work collaboratively with Headteachers, Business Managers and the Chief Operations and Finance Officer to embed a culture of financial prudence and facilitate creative solutions to these challenges.You will have the opportunity to apply your coaching and leadership skills to empower and develop our Finance Managers and their teams to work efficiently and effectively, providing excellent support to our schools and benefiting from opportunities for their own personal and professional development.
In these and many other ways, your work will have a great impact our students, staff and wider communities.
In return, you will benefit from a supportive and challenging work environment and proactive investment in your own development. Acer Trust is committed to professional development, and we would welcome candidates interested in undertaking formal study (funded through the Apprenticeship Levy) and informal learning opportunities such as networking with sector colleagues.You will have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic and highly motivated team, to regularly interact with strategic decision-makers and to bring your finance expertise to the Trust’s strategic planning. As well as enjoying a vibrant and big-hearted working environment and career development opportunities, you will also have the opportunity to join one of the country’s best pension schemes.
This role would suit an experienced finance professional with a strong knowledge of schools or education finance and excellent leadership skills. You will also hold a finance qualification with a relevant body, such as ACCA, AAT, CIMA or CIPFA.
If you are looking for a varied and engaging role where you can further develop your strategic leadership skills, this could be the role for you! The post is full time and is paid at £60-65k (up to £70k for an exceptional candidate).
Please see attached the detailed job description and person specification for this role.
We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible. We also reserve to right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.
If you are shortlisted, we will take up written references before your interview so please provide permission for this and provide accurate phone and email contact details for your referees. One of your referees must be your current or last employer.
Safeguarding Statement:
The Acer Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff to share this commitment.Any offer of employment with The Acer Trust is subject to verification of ID and qualifications, satisfactory evidence of the right to work in the UK, health clearance, DFE and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.The Acer Trust is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from candidates from all ethnic and community backgrounds. Please note that, for safeguarding reasons, this role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and other safeguarding procedures.