At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy for a family of 17 Catholic schools and ensure long-term sustainability.
- Company: St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, dedicated to helping every child flourish.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, strategic leadership role, and opportunity to shape educational outcomes.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team committed to collective improvement and supporting the Catholic ethos.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while working with diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Professional finance qualification and significant experience in financial strategy within complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Lead financial strategy across a growing family of Catholic schools and help ensure long-term sustainability, strong governance and excellent outcomes for children and young people.
St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust (STCAT) is seeking a Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to join the executive leadership team and provide strategic financial leadership across our family of 17 Catholic schools serving communities in Luton, Central Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Slough.
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the executive leadership team and Trust Board, the CFO will play a central role in ensuring that financial planning, resource allocation and risk management support the Trust’s mission and long-term priorities. This is a significant leadership opportunity at a time of continued growth and sector challenge. The successful candidate will help strengthen organisational capacity, support financial sustainability and ensure that schools remain well-resourced, compliant and equipped to deliver excellent education.
Please note we are seeking a CFO with a management accounting qualification and a background in education.
As CFO, you will:
- Lead the Trust’s financial strategy, planning, reporting and control
- Ensure effective financial management, compliance, risk management and resource allocation across the Trust
- Support long-term sustainability through robust financial planning and scenario modelling
- Provide high-quality financial advice and insight to the CEO, executive team and Trust Board
- Lead and develop the central finance function
- Work closely with school leaders, business managers and local advisory committees
- Strengthen financial systems, processes and organisational capacity across the Trust
- Support strategic decision-making through accurate analysis and clear financial information
We are interested in hearing from candidates who may currently be:
- A Chief Finance Officer within a multi-academy trust
- A Director of Finance or Deputy CFO within education
- A senior finance leader from the wider public sector or another complex multi-site organisation
The successful candidate will bring:
- A professional finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA)
- Significant experience leading financial strategy, reporting and control within a complex organisation
- Strong expertise in financial planning, compliance, risk management and resource allocation
- Experience of leading teams, developing systems and managing change
- The ability to interpret complex financial information and support strategic decision-making
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders
- A values-driven approach and commitment to supporting the Trust’s mission
Why join St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust?
- Join a family of 17 Catholic schools serving diverse communities across four regions
- Play a key strategic role within the executive leadership team
- Help shape the next phase of the Trust’s development
- Work within a collaborative organisation built on partnership, shared responsibility and collective improvement
- Contribute to an organisation committed to helping every child flourish academically, spiritually and personally
Whilst the successful candidate does not need to be Catholic, they must be committed to supporting the Catholic ethos and mission of the Trust.
For further information and details of how to apply, please apply via this advert.
Chief Financial Officer in Watford employer: Peridot Partners
St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust offers a unique opportunity for the Chief Financial Officer to lead financial strategy across a growing family of 17 Catholic schools in Luton and surrounding areas. With a strong commitment to collaboration, shared responsibility, and the flourishing of every child, the Trust fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful work in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer in Watford
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the education sector! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current CFOs or finance leaders. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in financial strategy and compliance. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved financial systems in previous roles. We want to see your impact!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every conversation is an opportunity! Research the Trust and its mission, and tailor your discussions to show how your values align with theirs. This will demonstrate your commitment to their goals and help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance at landing that CFO role! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the CFO role. Highlight your financial strategy experience and any relevant qualifications to show us you’re the right fit for our Trust.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about education and how your background in finance can help our schools thrive. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a CFO, leadership is key. In your application, share examples of how you've led teams or projects successfully. We want to see how you can inspire and manage others in a complex environment like ours.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity within our Trust.
How to prepare for a job interview at Peridot Partners
✨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 previous roles.
✨Understand the Trust's Mission
Familiarise yourself with St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust's mission and values. Be prepared to articulate how your financial strategies can support their goal of helping every child flourish academically, spiritually, and personally.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Highlight your experience in leading finance teams and managing change. Prepare examples of how you've developed systems or processes that improved financial management and compliance in complex organisations.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your stakeholder management skills by discussing how you've built relationships with school leaders and other stakeholders. Be ready to share specific instances where collaboration led to successful outcomes.
