The Horsham Learning Alliance is a local multi-academy trust aiming to enhance educational outcomes through close collaboration and transformational learning. The Trust is at a pivotal stage in its journey and is now seeking a Chief Financial and Operating Officer to ensure the delivery of cohesive, efficient and effective professional services across the Trust.
Key Responsibilities
- Working closely with the CEO on the strategic development of the Trust, ensuring the best possible deployment of resources.
- Developing digital and business transformations, supporting the CEO to manage major projects, including academy conversions, capital investments and infrastructure developments.
- Ensuring long-term financial sustainability and alignment with educational priorities, overseeing budget preparations, forecasting and funding requirements.
- Developing robust internal control systems and overseeing all large procurement and tendering processes.
- Driving operational efficiency and ensuring regular performance and KPI reviews are in place.
- Leading on effective risk management and regularly reviewing policies and financial controls to ensure compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks.
- Overseeing the preparation of statutory accounts and external audits.
- Managing the HR Director to ensure a consistent approach to recruitment.
- Taking overall responsibility for the data environment, including cyber risk management and compliance with data protection legislation.
- Working with the CEO and Director of Governance to prepare relevant papers for the Trust Board and its committees and attending meetings.
Skills and Experience
- Qualified accountant with a recognised professional accountancy qualification (e.g. CIPFA, CIMA, ACCA or ACA).
- Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate multi-functional teams.
- Track record of finance and resource management and planning at a senior level in an organisation.
- Experience of budget management and monitoring, with strong interpretational skills and the ability to analyse and provide commentary on financial data.
- Knowledge of data management and system implementation.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to achieve value for money.
- Experience delivering and managing multiple projects, ensuring they meet financial targets.
- Competent and confident in using Microsoft Office.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Self-directing and able to use your own initiative to make decisions.
- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to prioritise appropriately.
- Enhanced maternity and sickness pay schemes.
- Employee assistance programme offering access to a range of resources, including legal advice, counselling, and a 24-hour helpline for wellbeing support for members of staff and their families.
- Access to relaxation massages, free on-site health checks, Walking for Health and staff wellbeing events.
- Car park for staff use (subject to availability).
- Concessionary rates for adult education evening courses at the College of Richard Collyer.
- Free use of the College's sports facilities.
- Free eye tests.
- Salary sacrifice schemes.
Salary: £95,000 – £105,000 per year, dependent on experience.
Location: Horsham Learning Alliance Head Office, Horsham, with some travel to schools in the Trust and the possibility of flexibility to work from home.
Closing date: Noon on 14 September 2026.
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Chief Financial and Operating Officer in Horsham employer: Point 13 Jobs
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