At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management and strategic insight across schools in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Ambitious Multi-Academy Trust in Shrewsbury with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, hybrid work, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Step into a senior leadership role with a clear path to Finance Director.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in financial reporting and public-sector compliance.
- Other info: Join a supportive team making a real impact on education.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Our client is looking for a Deputy Finance Director to strengthen financial leadership across its schools.
Location: Shrewsbury, Hybrid (23 days on site)
Salary: £70,000 per annum, Excellent Public-Sector Pension + Progression Opportunity
Job Type: Full Time, Permanent
About Our Client:
A growing and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust in Shrewsbury is seeking an exceptional Deputy Finance Director to play a key role in strengthening financial leadership across its schools. This is a high-impact position for a qualified accountant with deep expertise in financial reporting, senior-level business partnering, and public-sector financial stewardship. This role offers a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership position with a clear medium-term pathway to Finance Director level, supported by professional development and exposure to Trust-wide strategic decision-making.
Deputy Finance Director - The Role
As Deputy Finance Director, you will support the Finance Director in delivering robust financial management, strategic insight, and high-quality reporting across the Trust. You will lead the production of accurate, timely, and meaningful financial information, ensuring compliance with ESFA requirements and enabling strong governance. A major focus of the role is enhancing the Trust's finance business partnering model, working closely with Headteachers, senior leaders, and operational teams. You will provide expert financial insight, challenge, and support to drive value for money, strengthen budget ownership, and improve financial performance across all academies. This is a hybrid role, with 23 days per week in the Shrewsbury office and the remainder working remotely.
Deputy Finance Director - Key Responsibilities
- Lead the production of monthly management accounts, consolidated Trust reporting, statutory returns, and financial analysis, ensuring accuracy and compliance with ESFA and audit standards.
- Drive a proactive finance business partnering approach, working closely with senior leaders to provide insight, challenge, and strategic financial guidance.
- Support the Finance Director in developing long-term financial plans, forecasts, and scenario modelling aligned to the Trust's strategic priorities and growth plans.
- Oversee the annual budget cycle, ensuring strong engagement, clear communication, and robust financial planning across all academies.
- Lead, mentor, and develop finance staff, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.
- Ensure compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, funding agreements, and statutory financial regulations.
- Contribute to Trust-wide strategic projects, capital planning, and organisational development initiatives.
- Represent the Finance Directorate at senior leadership meetings, local governing bodies, and external stakeholder forums.
Deputy Finance Director - About You
- You will bring a blend of technical excellence, leadership capability, and strategic insight.
- A full professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Significant experience in financial reporting and public-sector compliance.
- A proven track record of partnering with senior leaders, providing high-quality financial insight and influencing decision-making.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn complex financial data into clear, actionable insight.
- Confident communication skills, with experience presenting to senior leaders and governance boards.
- Experience leading teams and developing others.
- A commitment to public-sector values, integrity, and delivering value for money.
Deputy Finance Director - Why Join the Trust?
- A meaningful leadership role supporting schools, staff, and young people.
- Excellent pension scheme offering strong long-term financial security.
- Clear progression pathway to Finance Director level in the medium term.
- Hybrid working with 23 days in the office for a balanced, flexible week.
- A collaborative, supportive culture with strong values.
- Generous holiday entitlement and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- A role with real influence across a growing, forward-thinking Trust.
To submit your CV for this Deputy Finance Director opportunity click Apply now!
Deputy Finance Director in Newport employer: Elliot Marsh
Contact Detail:
Elliot Marsh Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Finance Director in Newport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who work in education or public services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust's values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just a numbers whiz but also someone who aligns with their mission and can contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in financial reporting and business partnering makes you the perfect fit for the Deputy Finance Director role. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Finance Director in Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Deputy Finance Director role. Highlight your financial reporting expertise and any public-sector experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role, focusing on your leadership capabilities and strategic insight. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, don’t just list responsibilities. Share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in financial management and business partnering. Numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elliot Marsh
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Deputy Finance Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This shows you can translate complex financial information into actionable insights.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading teams and mentoring staff, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led finance teams in the past. Highlight your experience in developing others and fostering a culture of high performance, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand the Trust's Values
Familiarise yourself with the Trust's mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding public-sector integrity and delivering value for money. This connection can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to outline how you'd approach financial planning or budget management in a challenging situation. This will showcase your proactive finance business partnering approach.