Chief Finance Officer
The Challenge Academy Trust, Warrington, WA4 3AE7 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
29 January 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
16 January 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week, permanent
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Competitive
What skills and experience we're looking for
Ideally with a background in education, charities or the public sector, you will lead a central team consisting of a management accountant, financial controller the four cluster finance managers. Together, the team is responsible for all aspects of financial management across the trust working closely with academy level finance colleagues. The CFO will also be a Director of our subsidiary outdoor education company, playing a leading role in the development of our offer to children and young people across the region.
We are a forward thinking, vibrant and rapidly growing trust and our people are key to our continued growth and success. This is an exciting time to join our trust!
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement the Trust’s financial strategy, ensuring alignment with our overall goals and objectives.
- Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and auditing.
- Provide strategic financial advice to the CEO, Board of Trustees, and member academy Heads/Principals.
- Ensure robust financial controls and risk management processes are in place.
- Lead and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
- Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, regulators, and funding bodies.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and legislation (including the Academy Trust Handbook and charitable law).
Qualifications and Experience:
- A professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW etc) is essential.
- Proven experience in a senior financial leadership role, preferably within the education sector or a similar environment.
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into actionable insights.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- People management experience with a record of developing staff to realise their full potential.
- A proactive and innovative approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.
What the school offers its staff
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a forward-thinking and ambitious Trust with a strong commitment to educational and operational excellence.
- Opportunity to shape the financial future of a growing organisation.
- Collaborative and supportive working environment.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
Terms and Benefits
1) Salary: Competitive
2) Eligible for membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
3) Occupational sickness and parental leave pay schemes,
4) A minimum of 26 days annual leave (increasing to 31 days after 5 years eservice), in additional to bank holidays
5) Agile working opportunities (minimum 3 days per week on site, subject to work commitments).
6) Access to TCAT+ our Reward, Recognition and Wellbeing platform, including access to retailer discounts and benefits, discounted healthcare cash plan, cycle to work scheme and online resources to support physical, emotional, professional, financial and social wellbeing.
7) Access to a comprehensive CPD framework though ‘Education Connect’, our professional development arm, and online resources from the ‘National College’.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Challenge Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are made subject to an enhanced DBS check. We are an equal opportunities employer and want our staff profile to reflect the community we serve.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs are not accepted.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Challenge Academy Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
- Email address
- m.alexander@tcat.uk.com
- Phone number
- 01925 971827
The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) is a Multi Academy Trust in Warrington, Cheshire made up five primary schools, five secondary schools and a Sixth Form College, with over 8,300 leaners and over 1,000 employees. Formed in 2017 by like-minded education leaders we work collaboratively to improve outcomes for children and young people in the Warrington area.
Our mission is to serve, challenge and empower the educational community, which we enact by providing highly effective services to our academies, supporting strong leadership, investing in our workforce and inspiring our children and young people.
As an inclusive MAT with a strong moral purpose we are committed to providing an environment and education where every young person is nurtured, challenged and inspired to achieve the very best for themselves and their communities
Arranging a visit to The Challenge Academy Trust
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email m.alexander@tcat.uk.com.
Head office location
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