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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and operations for a growing educational trust.
- Company: Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, dedicated to supporting students with special educational needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension scheme, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team committed to improving outcomes for pupils.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education while ensuring financial sustainability and governance.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior leadership experience and strategic financial insight.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
Salary: circa £80,000 (depending on experience and wider portfolio responsibilities) Permanent, Full-time Required for September.
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust consists of eight academies and one sixth form across Tees Valley, Durham and North Yorkshire, serving approximately 1,000 students with a broad range of special educational needs.
Following the retirement of the current postholder, the Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join the Executive Leadership Team. Based at Abbey Hill Academy, the CFO will play a pivotal role in shaping financial sustainability and supporting the Trust’s long-term strategic direction at an exciting stage of growth, building on strong and stable financial foundations.
Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CFO will lead all aspects of financial strategy, planning and operations. This includes ensuring robust financial governance, delivering value for money, and enabling high-quality decision-making that supports improved outcomes for pupils.
The CFO will also lead the central finance function and contribute to wider Trust strategy, working collaboratively with senior leaders across education and operations to align financial planning with organisational priorities.
The successful candidate will:
- Be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant senior leadership experience.
- Demonstrate a strong track record of strategic financial leadership within a complex organisation (education or public sector experience desirable but not essential).
- Have experience advising Boards and senior stakeholders, translating financial information into clear strategic insight.
- Ensure strong financial governance and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Be an inspirational, collaborative leader with the ability to develop high-performing teams and build effective relationships.
- Bring strong commercial acumen with a focus on efficiency, sustainability and continuous improvement.
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust can offer:
- An ambitious and forward-thinking Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees.
- A highly collaborative and supportive Executive Leadership Team.
- A committed and skilled Central Team across Finance, HR, Estates, IT and Operations.
- Well-established systems, processes and infrastructure.
- Extensive and varied professional learning opportunities.
- Access to a wide range of support for your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Family Friendly Working policies to support work-life balance.
- Access to a generous Local Government or Teachers’ Pension scheme.
- Recognition by Investors in People as a Gold organisation and Silver award for wellbeing.
If you have the vision, expertise and leadership to drive financial excellence and support the continued success of Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, we would very much like to hear from you.
For further information about this post please visit our website: www.horizonstrust.org.uk.
Please apply by downloading the non-teaching application form from our website.
The Trust have partnered with Edwin People for this recruitment. Completed application forms should therefore be emailed to: executiverecruitment@edwinpeople.com.
If you have any questions about the vacancy or would like to arrange a visit to Horizons Specialist Academy Trust or one of our Academies, please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing executiverecruitment@edwinpeople.com or by calling 07713 669323.
Closing date for applications is 12 noon, Wednesday, 20th May, 2026. Shortlisting will take place on Thursday, 21st May, 2026. Interviews will be held on 4th and 5th June, 2026.
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of children. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check, appropriate references and a 6-month probation period.
Chief Financial Officer employer: HORIZONS SPECIALIST ACADEMY TRUST-1
Contact Detail:
HORIZONS SPECIALIST ACADEMY TRUST-1 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector or finance world. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust and its financial strategies. Show us you’re not just a numbers person, but someone who understands our mission and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of CFO. We want to hear how you can drive financial excellence and support our growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the CFO role. We want to see how you can contribute to our financial strategy and support our mission.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a strategic leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to inspire and manage teams. Share examples of how you've built effective relationships and led high-performing teams in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your responses clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured answers that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the necessary forms and information there.
How to prepare for a job interview at HORIZONS SPECIALIST ACADEMY TRUST-1
✨Know Your Numbers
As a CFO, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them to drive strategic decisions in previous roles. This shows you can translate complex financial data into actionable insights.
✨Understand the Trust's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Horizons Specialist Academy Trust’s mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your financial strategies can align with their goals for educational excellence and sustainability. This will show that you're not just a numbers person but also a strategic partner.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific financial challenges or opportunities within an educational context. Think about past experiences where you've successfully navigated similar situations and be ready to share those stories.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a collaborative leader, it's important to convey your approach to team building and stakeholder engagement. Prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and fostered relationships with senior stakeholders, as this is crucial for the role.