Chief Financial and Operations Officer
St Wilfrid's CofE Primary School, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3NL11 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
30 June 2026 at 3pm
Date listed
19 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: Full-time, permanent. This opportunity could also be considered on a part-time and/or term time only basis. Minimum three days per week.
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Between £75,000 and £85,000 (flexibility for exceptional candidates)
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Role
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will hold strategic and operational responsibility for all financial matters across the Trust.
You will lead multi-year financial planning, oversee statutory reporting and compliance and manage the external audit relationship. You will also work closely with headteachers and school business managers across the Trust, making financial leadership visible and accessible at every level.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Strategic financial leadership and planning
- Statutory accounts and financial reporting
- Governance, compliance and regulatory assurance
- Budget-setting and resource allocation across 14 schools
- Finance team leadership and development
- Payroll, pensions (LGPS and TPS) and procurement
Who we are looking for
You will bring senior financial leadership experience from a complex, multi-site organisation ideally in the public sector, a charity, or an educational setting. You will have a strong track record in statutory compliance, budgeting, audit and board-level reporting.
A professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) is desirable, as is familiarity with the Academy Trust Handbook, ESFA requirements and the school funding system.
Just as important are your personal qualities: you are collaborative, solutions-focused, approachable, and able to challenge constructively at all levels.
What the school offers its staff
Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing.
Flexible working opportunities
This opportunity could also be considered on apart-time and/or term time only basis. Minimum three days per week.
A hybrid working arrangement, combining home and office based working, may be considered for this role. Travel required across the Trust schools.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About St Wilfrid's CofE Primary School
- School type
- Academy, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 405 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- St Wilfrid's CofE Primary School website
- Email address
- recruitment@hppc.co.uk
About the Trust
St Wilfrid’s C of E Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school at the heart of the Haywards Heath community.
At St Wilfrid’s, relationships matter. The school places great importance on care, respect and a strong sense of belonging, creating an environment where pupils are known, valued and supported. Classrooms are calm and purposeful, reflecting the school’s high expectations for behaviour and learning. Staff work collaboratively and are committed to high expectations, continuous improvement and positive partnerships with families, the Church, the Trust and the wider community. The school currently serves 420, with a diverse and inclusive intake and is committed to ensuring that all children are able to thrive academically, personally and spiritually.
School location
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