Head of Finance & Operations

Are you looking for your next challenge? Would you like to join a school where relationships are key and contribute to a caring and nurturing environment where young people flourish under the guidance of a dedicated and professional team of staff?

About this Role

We are looking to appoint a Head of Finance and Operations to provide comprehensive operational and business management support to the Headteacher, ensuring effective management of financial resources, administration, information technology, health and safety, and facilities. This role includes leadership within the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contributing to strategic planning, decision-making, and the overall management of the school's operational functions to achieve an excellent educational provision for students and staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, decision-making, and attending all relevant meetings, including School Standard Committee meetings.
• Lead and manage operational staff to ensure effective and efficient deployment of resources and systems.
• Assist the Headteacher and CFO in budget setting, overseeing school-level financial management and ensuring operational finance leadership is strong across the school.
• Oversee the facilities' strategic management including building projects.
• Develop leadership skills within the operations team, fostering a collaborative and innovative working environment.

About You:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant discipline or CCAB Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or Diploma in Schools Business Management.
• Experience managing significant budgets (£5m+), preferably within education, public sector, or a regulated environment.
• Strong leadership experience, managing finance and operational teams.
• Knowledge of financial compliance in a UK education setting.
• Experience in estates/facilities management, procurement, and IT.
• Strategic thinker with strong financial planning skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Strong ability to lead and inspire teams, fostering a collaborative and efficient working environment.

What we offer:

• We have a great deal of experience in the further development of our staff.
• Our appraisal approach is one of coaching under the banner of ‘Growing Great People’.
• We offer a supportive and welcoming environment with an excellent induction programme.
• We pride ourselves on our relationships across our school community – ‘Staff are proud to work at Polesworth and staff retention is high’ (Ofsted, 2023).
• ‘There is a respectful and caring culture across the school’ (Ofsted, 2023).

What you offer:

We are seeking a passionate and driven individual with good communication and organisational skills and a desire to make a difference to the lives of our pupils and their communities. The main duties and responsibilities are as indicated in the role job description and person specification; other duties of an appropriate level and nature may also be required, as directed by the Headteacher.

Please note that the post holder may be required to work outside of normal working hours for activities, meetings and emergencies. The post holder is required to support and encourage the trust’s ethos and its objectives, policies and procedures as agreed by the Board of Directors, including child protection matters.

School visits welcomed, please contact Nicky Holland on n.holland@thepolesworthschool.com if you would like to come and have a tour of our school.

Closing date for applications is: 9.00 am on Monday 7th July 2025. Applications will be considered as they are received. Interviews will take place on Monday 14th July 2025. Applications are via our online recruitment portal. The link to the portal is via our website: www.thepolesworthschool.com/vacancies.

The Trust Child Protection Policies and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Statement can be found at: https://www.communityacademiestrust.org/en-GB/trust-information. Community Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Community Academies Trust is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offender Act 1974. We expect all staff to share our safeguarding commitments and to undergo appropriate safer recruitment checks, including enhanced DBS checks and a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the standards which flows from Community Academies Trust vision and values.

The role is covered by part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role. Community Academies Trust supports Equal Opportunities Employment.

“Education is for improving lives and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”