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- Tasks: Lead finance and operations for a growing education group in the South of England.
- Company: Join a successful group of companies dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on schools' strategic objectives while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Must be ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with strong financial analysis skills.
- Other info: This is an office-based role; applications from diverse sectors are encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We are excited to be supporting a successful and growing group of companies within the education sector in seeking to appoint an outstanding Head of Finance and Operations to contribute to the development and delivery of a number of schools’ strategic objectives in the South of England.
You will have responsibility for providing strategic and operational leadership on all financial, HR, and IT matters and providing leadership to a small, dedicated finance team.
Key responsibilities:
- Prepare and deliver financial and business reports in line with internal and external reporting requirements.
- Act as a key business partner to the rest of the senior team, monitoring financial performance through key KPIs and conducting variance analysis whilst providing actionable insights by identifying the causes of deviations from budget or forecast and communicating them to senior management.
- Ensure effective communication channels with the Corporate team.
- Identify areas for cost savings and operational efficiencies, providing actionable recommendations.
- Lead the preparation of annual budgets and rolling forecasts, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Manage large capital projects ensuring delivery against budgeted costs.
- Drive improvements in financial processes and reporting tools to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
- Lead or support ad-hoc financial projects aimed at identifying opportunities for revenue growth, cost reduction, and process improvement, including evaluating potential legal risks, operational changes, and compliance enhancements.
- Drive HR policies and processes.
- Lead and provide guidance on all IT matters.
You will be:
- ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified accountant with post-qualification experience.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
- Advanced proficiency in financial analysis and modelling.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a Group structure.
- Proven track record in a multi-site or operationally complex business.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience supporting senior leadership teams.
- Exceptional analytical skills and the ability to simplify complex financial data.
- Proficient in financial modelling and advanced Excel.
- Confident communicator who can influence and challenge non-finance stakeholders effectively.
- Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a hands-on style.
If you are looking for a role where you can bring energy, resilience, and ambition to help guide the schools through their development within a successful group, then we would be pleased to hear from you. Please note applications are encouraged from candidates from a broad range of sectors.
Please note this role is office-based.#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Finance and Operations employer: Placing Talent
Contact Detail:
Placing Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance and Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the education sector, especially in the South of England. Understanding the unique financial challenges and opportunities within this industry will help you stand out as a candidate who is not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in finance and operations within educational institutions. Attend relevant industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into current trends and best practices that could be beneficial for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven financial improvements or operational efficiencies in previous roles. Being able to articulate these experiences will demonstrate your capability to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style and how you can effectively manage a small finance team. Highlight any past experiences where you've successfully led teams through change or improvement initiatives, as this aligns closely with the expectations for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance and Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Finance and Operations position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the strategic objectives outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your qualifications as an ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified accountant. Provide specific examples of your post-qualification experience that demonstrate your ability to manage financial performance, lead teams, and drive operational efficiencies.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, include examples of how you have effectively communicated complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders. This could be through presentations, reports, or team collaborations.
Demonstrate Analytical Abilities: Provide evidence of your exceptional analytical skills by discussing past experiences where you simplified complex financial data or conducted variance analysis. Highlight any tools or methodologies you used to enhance accuracy and efficiency in financial reporting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Placing Talent
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience with financial analysis and modeling. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully monitored financial performance and provided actionable insights to senior management.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role requires explaining complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders, practice simplifying your explanations. Use clear, concise language and be ready to answer questions that may arise.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Emphasize your ability to drive improvements in processes and your experience managing a finance team effectively.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Understand the strategic objectives of the organization and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to them. Think about areas for cost savings and operational efficiencies that you can recommend during the interview.
