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- Tasks: Lead financial processes across 22 schools and provide strategic insights.
- Company: Join Sapientia Education Trust, empowering over 8,500 young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, mentoring, and discounts from major retailers.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to safeguarding children's welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while advancing your finance career.
- Qualifications: CCAB/CIMA qualified with strong communication and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 60208 £ per year.
52 weeks | 37 hours per week | Permanent | Salary: SCP 40-48 (£51,356 - £60,208 FTE)
Location: Sapientia Education Trust, Wymondham College (travel to other sites required)
At Sapientia Education Trust, our purpose reaches far beyond education. We inspire curiosity, nurture potential, and empower over 8,500 young people across 22 schools to flourish. Behind that success is a dedicated Finance Team who are seeking an aspiring finance leader to join the Trust.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing and ambitious Trust at a pivotal point in its development. As Deputy Chief Financial Officer, you will play a central role in ensuring strong financial leadership across 22 schools, enabling them to deliver world-class education. Working closely with the CFO and Finance Managers, you will lead key financial processes, strengthen controls, and support school leaders with high-quality financial insight. This role would be suited to someone looking to move into education either from practice, commercial or other public sectors.
Do you have the skills to:
- Provide advice and support to school staff on financial and budgetary matters, ensuring that they meet legal requirements and represent best practice.
- Lead the Finance Team through monthly management accounts and budget setting cycles, ensuring financial and non-financial objectives are met.
- Lead the end of year accounts, external audit, and internal scrutiny processes to ensure all matters are resolved successfully in collaboration with the Trust's external auditors and internal scrutineers.
- Continuously review processes, procedures and practices to ensure the service provided is effective, efficient and compliant with all legal requirements.
What We Offer:
- Mentoring and coaching to support your career aspirations.
- Sodexo benefits account and Blue Light Card with discounts from major retailers.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme from Tusker.
- Hybrid working (one day per week from home after probation).
- 24/7 access to our employee wellbeing platform and resources.
- Local Government Pension scheme.
- Children of staff benefit from increased priority under the admissions policy for their school base after 2 years continuous service.
If you are a CCAB/CIMA qualified professional with integrity, strong communication and analytical skills with the ability to build relationships across a diverse organisation, we would love to hear from you. Join a Trust that values your professionalism, supports your growth, and recognises the difference your work makes every day.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, therefore all applicants must be prepared to undertake a number of checks to confirm their suitability to work with children and young people. The Trust welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. In accordance with the Department of Education's 'Keeping Children Safe in Education', references will be sought on all short-listed candidates before interview.
Deputy Chief Financial Officer employer: Sapientia Education Trust
Contact Detail:
Sapientia Education Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Chief Financial Officer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the education finance sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in financial leadership and your ability to support school staff. We want to see how you can bring value to the Trust, so share specific examples of your past successes!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on Sapientia Education Trust and understand their mission. We recommend preparing answers to common interview questions, especially those related to financial processes and compliance. This will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make this happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Deputy Chief Financial Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at Sapientia Education Trust!
Showcase Your Financial Expertise: Don’t hold back on detailing your financial leadership experience! We’re looking for someone who can lead financial processes and provide insightful advice, so make sure to include relevant examples from your past roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements stand out. This will help us see your potential quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you 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. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sapientia Education Trust
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Deputy Chief Financial Officer, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This shows you can provide the high-quality financial insight they’re looking for.
✨Understand the Education Sector
Familiarise yourself with the unique financial challenges faced by educational institutions. Research Sapientia Education Trust and its schools to understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific financial situations or challenges. Think of examples from your past experience where you led financial processes or improved controls. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a finance team and collaborating with school leaders. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight your ability to build relationships across diverse organisations, as this is crucial for the role.