At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management and strategic oversight for East Anglian Schools Trust.
- Company: Join a progressive Trust dedicated to inclusivity, opportunity, and community in education.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, a supportive culture, and the chance to impact young lives.
- Other info: Position based in Suffolk with travel between schools; DBS checks required.
- Why this job: Shape educational outcomes while working collaboratively with passionate leaders in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven strategic leadership experience; background in finance, education, or corporate sectors preferred.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
East Anglian Schools’ Trust (EAST) has an exciting opportunity to join our forward-thinking and growing Trust as we seek to appoint to the post of Director of Finance. We are looking to appoint an inspirational professional to lead the financial business across EAST. With excellent, comprehensive schools across all phases, and a reflective culture that places our four cornerstones of learning, inclusivity, opportunity and community at our foundations, we are extremely proud of our progressive Trust.
The Director of Finance is a key appointment for EAST and will fulfil the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role as required by the Department for Education, with overall strategic responsibility for financial management, providing technical leadership and support in all accounting matters across the whole Trust.
The successful applicant will be a dynamic individual who understands what constitutes effective and high-quality leadership. They will be approachable and enthusiastic with a strong understanding of how effective financial and business leadership is essential for a multi-academy trust. The ability to work with other leaders to ensure that expertise is valued and utilised across EAST will be essential. We will be keen to explore with how driven applicants are to improve educational outcomes and life chances for young people through this crucial role. Our future Director of Finance will have a proven record of strategic leadership and people management, along with the ability to drive improvements.
This role presents many opportunities for an ambitious, experienced professional to lead and shape a wide range of services across our schools, as well as to contributing to the development of the wider organisation and our growth. Although not limited to these sectors, we would welcome applicants who come from a commercial, corporate, or educational background. It is essential that applicants have a resonance with our vision alongside relevant expertise and experience. The ability to be diligent, have a 'can-do' mind-set and shape systems to drive quality for our Trust/Schools is essential. Working collaboratively and translating vision and strategy into operational requirements are fundamental to the role.
This is a role that is based at our central office in Wickham Market Primary School, Suffolk, but will require the post holder to move between schools as needed. EAST is committed to the care and professional development of all individuals who work in our schools and Trust. A compassionate approach to all individuals is expected of our Trust’s employees.
To find more information about this position please apply with your CV and Rebecca Beach at Academicis will be in touch. EAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share and adhere to this commitment. DBS checks required for all posts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Finance - East Anglian Schools Trust in Woodbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the East Anglian Schools Trust's mission and values. Understanding their focus on inclusivity, opportunity, and community will help you align your experience and vision with theirs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of EAST or similar educational trusts. Engaging in conversations can provide insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven financial improvements in previous roles. Highlighting your strategic leadership and people management skills will demonstrate your capability to fulfil the Director of Finance role effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of the educational sector and its financial challenges. Being able to articulate how your background in finance can positively impact educational outcomes will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Finance - East Anglian Schools Trust in Woodbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Director of Finance position. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of financial management in an educational context, as well as the specific goals of East Anglian Schools Trust.
Tailor Your CV:Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in financial leadership, particularly within educational or multi-academy trust settings. Emphasise your strategic leadership skills and any achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive improvements and enhance educational outcomes.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for education and your alignment with the Trust's vision. Discuss how your background and skills make you a suitable candidate for the role, and provide examples of how you've successfully led financial initiatives in the past.
Highlight Collaborative Experience:In your application, showcase instances where you've worked collaboratively with other leaders or teams. This is crucial for the role, so provide specific examples that illustrate your ability to translate vision into operational success and foster a positive working environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Academicis
✨Understand the Trust's Vision
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the East Anglian Schools Trust's vision and values. Be prepared to discuss how your financial leadership can align with their cornerstones of learning, inclusivity, opportunity, and community.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Director of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your strategic leadership skills. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led teams or projects, particularly in educational or multi-academy settings.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to financial management and accounting practices. Brush up on relevant regulations and best practices, especially those pertaining to the education sector, to showcase your expertise.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with other leaders within the Trust. Be ready to discuss how you've previously fostered teamwork and utilised diverse expertise to drive improvements in financial operations.
