EXPIRED

Chief Finance & Operations Officer

The Good Shepherd Trust, Guildford, GU1 1JY

This job expired on 8 March 2024 – see similar jobs

• Closing date

  8 March 2024 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  23 February 2024

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time, full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £95,245.00 - £104,930.00 Annually (FTE) Plus LGPS

Chief Finance & Operations Officer job summary

Role Summary

The Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO) is a pivotal executive leadership position responsible for strategic oversight of the financial and operational aspects of the Good Shepherd Trust (GST) and our schools.

The CFOO's role is to lead, develop and coordinate the Trust’s financial and operational strategy to support outcomes for its pupils by providing high-quality support and advice to all stakeholders.

The post holder will support the Trust’s growth by developing and building its financial and operational capacity and resilience.

The CFOO will bring a modern, commercial approach to the leadership of the Trust’s finance and operations functions, coordinating activities within the Trust to deliver a highly effective and value-driven service with an emphasis on developing productive partnerships and realising the benefits and efficiencies of shared service provision and economies of scale across the Trust.

The CFOO will report to the CEO and support them in fulfilling their statutory duties and responsibilities as the CEO and Trust’s Accounting Officer.

Job Description

• Take responsibility for developing and implementing the finance and operations strategy for the Trust.
• Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs), proactively identifying areas for improvement and mitigating risks with energy and enthusiasm.
• Develop the Trust’s central services to ensure compliance with statutory obligations, support continuous improvement and ensure best value.
• Collaborate with the executive team to develop and execute the Trust's financial strategy, providing insights for decision-making and driving financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes.
• Line manage Head of Finance and Risk, Head of HR, Head of Buildings & Estates and the Trust’s DPO.
• Overseeing the effective implementation of all financial objectives and tasks.
• Taking a strategic approach to leading and developing the operational areas of GST and ensuring efficient operations in critical areas such as data analysis, estate management, catering, human resources, and information technology, and optimising operational processes.
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing learning and staying updated with industry trends and emerging technologies with an external network of professionals sharing best practices.
• Cultivating a culture of transparency, collaboration, and integrity within finance and other operations teams, building positive relationships with stakeholders, and upholding the vision and values of the GST.
• Demonstrate integrity and ethical behaviour when handling sensitive financial and operational information.
• Provide high-level strategic advice and guidance on all financial and operational matters, including possible risks and opportunities.
• Inspires trust and confidence in the finance and operations teams through authentic leadership.
• Strategically identify and prioritise financial and operational initiatives, implementing strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, laws, and reporting requirements, upholding a high level of clarity and accountability.
• Provide financial insights and analysis to facilitate decision-making and identify opportunities for growth and development.
• Representing the GST shared service teams at board level and ensuring that strategies align with the educational vision and proactively enable our schools to improve and flourish.
• Be responsible for the academisation process for growth, including due diligence, legal operations and onboarding of schools.
• Attend the Trust’s full Board meetings and committees as required.

Person specification

• Hold a recognised full accountancy qualification (from a relevant professional body such as ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)
• Evidence of continuing professional development/training
• Proven experience delivering innovative and aspirational strategies across multiple service areas.
• Extensive expertise in financial management principles, practices, and regulations, continuously seeking knowledge growth.
• Strong understanding of financial analysis, forecasting, and budgeting methodologies.
• Familiarity with operational processes in areas such as estate management, human resources, and information technology
• Proven track record of building and nurturing trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration, influencing decision-making and challenging underperformance when appropriate.
• Be comfortable with negotiating complex situations with numerous stakeholders.
• Experience in a growing organisation, particularly multi-academy trusts.
• Senior leadership experience with mentoring, coaching and team leadership.

Personal skills

• Possesses a strategic mindset, enabling the identification and prioritisation of critical financial and operational initiatives.
• Ability to lead funding applications and financial growth of GST to support its aspirations and values to dream big and deliver an ambitious education for all.
• Ability to communicate complex financial and operational information to non-financial stakeholders, demonstrating enthusiasm and approaching tasks with resilience.
• Ability to employ effective presentation and negotiation skills to communicate financial strategies, operational plans, and recommendations.
• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in financial reporting, operational oversight, and analysis, using this to inform future strategies.
• Approaches tasks with energy, enthusiasm, and resilience, thriving in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Proactive and results-oriented mindset, taking ownership of initiatives and following through on commitments.
• Strong follow-up skills, ensuring timely completion of tasks and projects related to finance and other operations.
• Able to build an innovative and driven team that demonstrates expertise in their chosen field.
• Demonstrate a commitment to talent development of all staff, improving their skills and supporting their growth within GST.
• Ability to motivate and inspire teams to achieve goals and deliver exceptional results. Foster an environment that encourages constructive challenge and looks for opportunities to improve and develop, putting our staff and students at the centre of our approach.
• Promote a positive work environment that values diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being, fostering trust and respect.

Equality

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are critical components of a healthy organisational culture. The CFOO will support us to create a welcoming, supportive environment where every student and staff member can thrive.

Safeguarding

The Good Shepherd Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We ensure that all our employment practices reflect this commitment. All appointments are made subject to an enhanced DBS clearance (Disclosure and Barring Service), satisfactory references and qualification checks. The CFOO will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow Trust policies and the staff code of conduct.

Please note that this search is being managed internally and we are not accepting applications from agencies at this time.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Good Shepherd Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We ensure that all our employment practices reflect this commitment. All appointments are made subject to an enhanced DBS clearance (Disclosure and Barring Service), satisfactory references and qualification checks.

This job post has expired.

About The Good Shepherd Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: The Good Shepherd Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-good-shepherd-trust

Welcome from the CEO - Paul Kennedy

A very warm welcome to the Good Shepherd Trust (GST) and thank you for taking the time to visit our website. I joined the GST as CEO in February 2020 having spent over twenty-five years in education as a teacher, leader, headteacher and trust CEO. This is an exciting time for the GST as we further develop and strengthen our network of schools.

The GST is a multi-academy trust serving 18 schools within the Diocese of Guildford across Surrey and Hampshire. Our trust comprises both primary and secondary schools, schools affiliated to the Church of England and others who are not. Our purpose is to grow and maintain a strong network of schools within a highly supportive and sharing network: we know that schools are better when they work together sharing common values and goals. Opportunities for staff development are a key priority for us - as a member of support staff, as a teacher, as a head teacher or as a local committee member you will have access to wide and varied professional development.

But at the heart of what we do are the children and young people within our schools. GST schools are first and foremost highly inclusive settings where we strive to see each child flourish and grow, transforming lives and offering breadth and richness in each school’s individual curriculum. We also seek to fulfil the Church of England’s vision for education providing schools for the entire community we serve, for people of all faiths and none.

Our mission is drawn from the words of Jesus in John’s Gospel – ‘I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.’ It is in this context that Jesus reveals to us the wonderful image of himself, The Good Shepherd who shows us how to live, to love and serve others whilst we experience the richness of life in its fullness.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, leader or prospective member of a local committee or a Trustee, please get in touch if you would like to know more about the GST.

With best wishes,

Paul Kennedy

Chief Executive Officer

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