At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and ensure sustainability for educational excellence.
- Company: Unity Schools Partnership, transforming lives through education across East Anglia and north-east London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary based on experience, with a focus on professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to ethical leadership and safeguarding children's welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education by shaping financial decisions that support children's futures.
- Qualifications: Senior financial leadership experience, ideally in public or charitable sectors.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Unity Schools Partnership (Unity) is a family of 40 primary, secondary and special schools across East Anglia and north‑east London, united by a shared ambition to transform lives through education. With a new Chief Executive in post and a reshaped Executive Team, this is a pivotal moment for the Trust as it enters its next phase of development. Operating at scale while remaining rooted in local communities, Unity combines strong ethical leadership with evidence‑informed practice and a clear focus on improving outcomes for children and young people, particularly those facing disadvantage.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role sits at the heart of this next chapter, playing a central role in enabling Unity’s educational ambition through strong financial stewardship and strategic leadership. Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board and Executive Team, the CFO is responsible for shaping long‑term financial strategy, ensuring sustainability, and guiding investment decisions that balance affordability with impact.
The role provides strategic and professional leadership across Finance, Procurement, Estates and IT, ensuring that resources, infrastructure and systems are aligned to educational priorities and support high‑quality provision across the Trust. This is an organisation‑wide role, requiring sound judgement, clear insight and the confidence to support difficult decisions in a complex and evolving context.
The successful candidate will be a highly credible senior financial leader with a strong corporate mindset and experience of leading finance and operational functions within a complex, distributed organisation, ideally in the public or charitable sector. They will bring deep understanding of financial governance, risk management and public accountability, alongside the ability to think beyond technical finance and contribute to wider organisational strategy.
Transparent, resilient and intellectually assured, the CFO will be comfortable leading difficult conversations with clarity and fairness, building strong partnerships with school leaders and executives, and developing high‑performing teams across multiple disciplines. Above all, Unity is seeking a collaborative, ethical leader motivated by impact, someone who can free up resources, strengthen capacity and ensure that financial decisions actively support excellent education at scale.
Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people at all times. You will be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all children with whom you come into contact, in accordance with the Trust’s and the schools’ Safeguarding policies. The post holder is required to hold a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Salary based on experience and expertise.
Chief Financial Officer in Haverhill employer: Unity Schools Partnership
Unity Schools Partnership is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming lives through education while fostering a collaborative and ethical work culture. As the Chief Financial Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial strategy of a diverse family of schools, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment that prioritises the welfare of children and young people. Located in East Anglia and north-east London, Unity offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact within local communities, ensuring that financial decisions align with educational priorities and enhance the quality of provision across the Trust.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer in Haverhill
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who know Unity Schools Partnership. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Unity's mission and values. Show us how your financial expertise aligns with their ambition to transform lives through education. We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about making an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led financial strategies in complex environments. We want to hear about your successes and how you navigated challenges—make it memorable!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer in Haverhill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the CFO role at Unity. Highlight your financial stewardship and strategic leadership experience, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your previous roles, focus on how your decisions positively impacted the organisations you worked for. We want to see your ability to balance affordability with impact, so share concrete examples of your achievements.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your thoughts, especially when discussing complex financial concepts. We appreciate clarity, especially in a role that involves leading difficult conversations.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unity Schools Partnership
✨Know Your Numbers
As a CFO, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to Unity Schools Partnership and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive strategic decisions in the past.
✨Understand the Educational Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the challenges and opportunities in the education sector, especially in relation to public and charitable organisations. This will help you articulate how your financial strategies can directly impact educational outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Unity is looking for a collaborative leader. Be prepared to share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered partnerships in previous roles. Highlight your approach to leading difficult conversations with clarity and fairness.
✨Align with Their Values
Unity emphasises ethical leadership and community focus. Reflect on your own values and be ready to discuss how they align with Unity's mission. Share experiences that showcase your commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare in educational settings.
