Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and operations for a pioneering education charity.
- Company: EFI Group transforms vocational education in fashion, retail, and beauty through innovative programmes.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to shape future careers.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team that values people-first culture and impactful education.
- Qualifications: Professional finance qualification and significant strategic finance leadership experience required.
- Other info: Be a key partner to the CEO, influencing organisation-wide strategies beyond finance.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 95000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Chief Financial Officer, Education for Industry Group role at Guardian Jobs.
Location: London (hybrid working)
Salary: £85,000 – £110,000
About The Organisation
EFI Group is a pioneering education charity delivering outstanding vocational and higher education in fashion, retail, beauty, and apprenticeships. We are not a traditional college. We operate at the intersection of industry and education, shaping the workforce of tomorrow through innovative, industry-led programmes that drive real career outcomes.
Role purpose
As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will provide strategic and operational leadership across finance, estates, HR, and risk management, ensuring that the organisation operates efficiently and sustainably. You will be a key business partner to the CEO and SLT, contributing to organisation-wide strategy and decision-making beyond your functional areas. Your role will involve ensuring financial resilience, strengthening income diversification, optimising resource allocation, and embedding strong financial stewardship while maintaining a people-first culture that aligns with our mission and values.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic leadership: Provide financial and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation’s sustainability, efficiency, and alignment with our strategic plan. Lead the development of financial strategies, forecasting, and resource planning that support long-term growth and impact. Drive income diversification, leveraging our charitable status for fundraising, donations, and other income-generating opportunities. Act as a key strategic advisor to the CEO and SLT, contributing meaningfully across all major strategies (not just finance).
- Financial management & compliance: Oversee all aspects of financial management, planning, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring clarity, transparency, and alignment with strategic goals. Manage financial risk, reserves, and investment strategies, balancing prudence with ambition. Ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory, and audit requirements, including engagement with external auditors, internal auditors, and the Board of Governors. Develop and maintain strong financial policies, controls, and governance structures.
- Operational & people leadership: Oversee HR, estates, and risk management, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and a positive impact on people, spaces, and operations. Lead and develop high-performing teams within your remit, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Ensure that HR policies and practices support a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. Work closely with Estates to ensure that our physical infrastructure meets the needs of students and staff efficiently and sustainably.
- Stakeholder engagement & business partnering: Serve as the primary liaison for financial governance, risk, and compliance with the Board of Governors, auditors, and regulatory bodies. Build strong relationships across the organisation, ensuring that financial strategies enable, rather than constrain, innovation and impact. Represent the organisation externally as needed, engaging with funding bodies, donors, and other stakeholders to strengthen financial resilience.
- Estates & infrastructure: Lead on the strategic development of estates and facilities, ensuring they support the evolving needs of students and staff. Oversee capital projects, space planning, and campus optimisation to enhance the student and staff experience.
- Risk & governance: Oversee risk management, compliance, and internal controls, ensuring the charity operates ethically, responsibly, and efficiently. Work closely with the Board of Governors and Audit Committee, ensuring transparency and accountability.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience & skills (Essential):
- Professional finance qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA).
- Significant senior and strategic finance leadership experience at scale and complexity.
- Proven track record in financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.
- Strong experience in income diversification, including fundraising, partnerships, and alternative revenue streams.
- Ability to balance high-level strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership, adapting as needed.
- Strong track record of leading and developing teams, fostering a people-first, high-performance culture.
- Highly articulate and influential communicator, able to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience managing audit and compliance requirements, ensuring financial and regulatory integrity.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a pragmatic approach to decision-making.
Experience & Attributes (Desirable):
- Experience working in a multi-site or growing organisation undergoing change and expansion.
- Experience leading HR, estates, or risk management functions as part of a broader operational remit.
- Understanding of the regulatory landscape in education and/or charities.
- Familiarity with impact-driven finance models, such as social investment or mission-based funding.
Seniority level: Executive
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Finance
Industries: Education
Chief Financial Officer, Education for Industry Group employer: Guardian Jobs
Contact Detail:
Guardian Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer, Education for Industry Group
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the education and finance sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or conferences where you can meet potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Research EFI Group thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives. This knowledge will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your strategic leadership experience in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led financial strategies and managed teams in previous roles, particularly in educational or charitable contexts.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with current or former employees of EFI Group on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the CFO role, which can help you tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer, Education for Industry Group
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, and compliance. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage finances in an educational or charitable context.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for education and how your financial expertise can contribute to the mission of the EFI Group. Mention your experience with income diversification and stakeholder engagement, as these are key aspects of the role.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your professional finance qualifications (e.g., ACA, ACCA) and any additional certifications that may be relevant. Emphasise your senior leadership experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities of the CFO position.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you have led teams and fostered a high-performance culture in previous roles. Highlight your ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution, as this is crucial for the CFO role at EFI Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Guardian Jobs
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand EFI Group's mission and values. This will help you articulate how your financial strategies can align with their goals of delivering outstanding vocational and higher education.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
As a CFO, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to contribute to strategic discussions beyond finance. Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with other departments to drive organisational growth and innovation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you foster a people-first culture. Highlight your experience in developing high-performing teams and how you ensure alignment with organisational goals.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Expect questions about financial management, compliance, and risk. Be prepared to discuss your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and income diversification, showcasing your analytical skills and pragmatic decision-making approach.
