At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance and operations to transform lives at Riverside School.
- Company: Innovative all-age specialist school with a diverse community.
- Benefits: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives and foster a collaborative culture.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and emotional intelligence required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Do you have the strategic leadership skills, energy and drive to join our 300+ staff team committed to our mission: to transform our pupils’ lives and the lives of their families and our vision: to inspire breakthroughs in the way society enables children with complex needs to find true fulfilment? Do you have the emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills required to build positive and professional relationships with pupils, families and staff, contributing to a collaborative, supportive and ambitious school culture? Do you have the skills required to co-ordinate and connect the various functions that combine to make Riverside School the very special place that it is? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
We are a forward-thinking and innovative all-age specialist school with a wonderfully diverse population: our 360 pupils are based over four sites, Beckenham, Bromley, St Paul’s Cray and West Wickham, in the London Borough of Bromley. We are currently recruiting a Head of Finance and Operations to join our Leadership Team, whose role will be to contribute to the overall effective leadership and management of the school and to oversee the business support functions within Finance, Premises and Estates, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Administration and Data Management, ICT, Extended Services and Marketing.
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and the emotional intelligence to make powerful connections and build positive relationships across the school community.
About Riverside School values
At Riverside School, our core values are at the heart of everything we do:
- Aspiration
- Resilience
- Creativity
- Humility
- Integrity
- Trust
- Enthusiasm
- Courage
- Teamwork
They make up the acronym ARCHITECT to signify our passion for designing and building a school that will make an indelible mark on the world for generations to come; a school that will impact positively on everyone who enters, on people we may never meet, and in ways we may never know.
Key Dates
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 9.00am on 15 June 2026
INTERVIEWS: Week beginning 22 June 2026
START DATE: September 2026
Role and Responsibilities
Riverside School is committed to providing equality of opportunity and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post-holder will be required to adhere to the school’s safeguarding procedures and policies and be seen to actively promote Riverside’s safeguarding systems. All appointments will be subject to receiving satisfactory references; clearance of a full DBS check and satisfactory health clearance.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the business support functions within Finance, Premises and Estates, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Administration and Data Management, ICT, Extended Services and Marketing.
- Contribute to the overall effective leadership and management of the school as part of the Leadership Team.
- Coordinate and connect the various functions to support school operations and culture.
Qualifications and Skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to build positive relationships across pupils, families and staff.
- Strategic leadership ability and the drive to support a collaborative, ambitious school culture.
Riverside School is committed to providing equality of opportunity and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post-holder will be required to adhere to the school’s safeguarding procedures and policies and be seen to actively promote Riverside’s safeguarding systems. All appointments will be subject to receiving satisfactory references; clearance of a full DBS check and satisfactory health clearance.
HEAD OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS employer: London Borough of Bromley
Riverside School is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming the lives of pupils with complex needs through a collaborative and supportive culture. With a commitment to professional development and emotional intelligence, staff are empowered to build meaningful relationships within a diverse community across multiple sites in the London Borough of Bromley. Joining our team means being part of a forward-thinking institution that values aspiration, resilience, and teamwork, ensuring a rewarding and impactful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HEAD OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know someone at Riverside School. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Riverside School’s values and mission. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and be ready to share specific examples that showcase your strategic leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interpersonal skills! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or mentor. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and demonstrate your emotional intelligence during the actual interview.
✨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 you’re serious about joining the Riverside team and contributing to their amazing mission.
We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for transforming lives shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at Riverside School, so don’t hold back on sharing your motivation!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in finance and operations. We’re looking for someone who can connect the dots between various functions, so give us examples of how you’ve done this in the past.
Be Personable:Your interpersonal skills are key! Use your application to demonstrate your emotional intelligence and ability to build relationships. Share stories that showcase your collaborative spirit and how you’ve fostered a positive culture.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Bromley
✨Know the Mission and Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Riverside School's mission and core values. Reflect on how your own experiences and leadership style align with their commitment to transforming lives and fostering a collaborative culture. This will help you articulate your fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
Given the emphasis on emotional intelligence and building relationships, prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to connect with diverse groups. Think of specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with staff, families, or pupils, and be ready to discuss how you can bring that same energy to Riverside.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
As a Head of Finance and Operations, you'll need to think strategically. Anticipate questions about how you would coordinate various functions like Finance, HR, and Marketing. Be prepared to share your vision for integrating these areas to enhance school operations and culture.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Safeguarding
Riverside School places a strong emphasis on safeguarding and promoting welfare. Be ready to discuss your understanding of safeguarding policies and how you've implemented them in previous roles. Showing that you prioritise the safety and well-being of children will resonate well with the interviewers.
