Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- 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 26. 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. Please apply by downloading the non-teaching application form from our website via the button below.
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 in England 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 in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector or finance world. Attend events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust and its financial strategies. Understand their goals and challenges. This way, when you get that interview call, you can showcase how your experience aligns perfectly with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on roles that excite you! Use our website to find positions that match your skills and aspirations. Tailor your approach to each role, showing how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the CFO position.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer in England
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 experience and insights.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply via 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 to help you along the way.
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 relevant to the education sector and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive strategic decisions in your previous roles.
✨Understand the Trust's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Horizons Specialist Academy Trust’s mission and values. Be prepared to articulate how your financial strategies can align with their goals, especially in supporting students with special educational needs.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading finance teams and collaborating with senior stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've inspired teams and built effective relationships, as this role requires strong leadership and collaboration.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex financial situations. Think of scenarios where you had to ensure compliance or improve financial governance, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.