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- Tasks: Lead the finance team and ensure financial stability across multiple schools.
- Company: Values-led multi-academy trust in South Devon focused on quality education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension scheme, 26 days leave, and career development.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture where your leadership drives meaningful outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education while shaping financial strategy for the future.
- Qualifications: Qualified CCAB accountant with experience in complex accounting roles.
The predicted salary is between 54394 - 61534 £ per year.
£54,394 - £61,534 | Hybrid | South Devon
Company Overview: Cathedral Appointments is proud to be partnering with a values-led multi-academy trust in South Devon to recruit a Head of Finance. Supporting multiple schools and a large community of pupils and staff, the Trust is driven by a clear vision to deliver ambitious, high-quality and inclusive education. With a collaborative central team and a strong culture rooted in courage, compassion, collaboration and commitment, this is an organisation where financial leadership directly contributes to meaningful outcomes for children and young people.
Role Overview: As Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal strategic role in ensuring financial stability, sustainability and strong governance across the Trust. Leading the finance function, you will combine operational excellence with strategic insight, providing robust financial planning, accurate reporting and expert advice to senior leaders and Trustees. This is a highly visible leadership position where your expertise will help shape long-term financial strategy and maximise the impact of resources across multiple schools.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop the Finance Team, driving high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and consolidated management reporting for the Trust.
- Support the Director of Finance in producing annual budgets and medium-term forecasts for all academies.
- Produce, monitor and report on the Trust’s cash flow.
- Ensure robust financial controls, compliance with regulatory and audit requirements, and accurate statutory returns.
- Ensure regular and timely reconciliation of all balance sheet control accounts.
- Partner with senior leaders and Headteachers, providing clear financial insight to support strategic decision-making.
Requirements:
- Qualified CCAB accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or close to qualification.
- Proven experience in a complex, hands-on accounting role, ideally within the public sector, education or a regulated environment.
- Strong track record of leading teams, managing audit processes and driving compliance improvements.
- Excellent financial analysis, reporting and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly.
Benefits:
- Leadership scale salary of £54,394 – £61,534.
- Generous Local Government Pension Scheme with circa 17% employer contribution.
- 26 days’ annual leave plus public holidays and Christmas closure days.
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
- The opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation where your work has tangible impact.
If you are an experienced finance leader seeking a strategic role with genuine purpose, we would love to hear from you.
Note on Sponsorship: We regret to inform you that at this time, we are unable to offer sponsorship for work authorisation for this role. Therefore, candidates must possess valid authorisation to work in the UK without requiring visa sponsorship.
Head of Finance employer: Cathedral Appointments Ltd
Contact Detail:
Cathedral Appointments Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and finance sectors. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people from the Trust or similar organisations. A personal introduction can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust's values and recent initiatives. Show how your experience aligns with their mission of delivering high-quality education. We want to see you connect your financial expertise to their goals!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your leadership style can drive performance and accountability within the finance team. We love candidates who can clearly articulate their vision and inspire others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact in education.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Head of Finance role. Highlight your leadership experience, financial expertise, and any relevant achievements in the education sector to grab our attention.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about finance in education and how your values align with ours. Be specific about how you can contribute to our mission of delivering high-quality education.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of Finance, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to highlight your leadership style and successes. Share examples of how you've driven performance and accountability in previous roles to demonstrate your fit for this position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the recruitment process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cathedral Appointments Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. This shows you’re not just about the numbers but understand their impact on strategic decisions.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading finance teams. Discuss how you’ve driven high performance and accountability within your team. This is crucial as the role requires you to lead and develop others, so make sure your leadership style shines through.
✨Understand the Trust's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the values and vision of the multi-academy trust. Be prepared to explain how your financial strategies can align with their mission of delivering high-quality education. This will show your commitment to their goals and how you can contribute meaningfully.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you’ve faced in financial planning or compliance and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate complex situations effectively.