Chief Financial Officer

Diocese Of Salisbury Academy Trust, Salisbury, SP2 0FG

25 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st March 2027 (possibly sooner if available)

• Closing date

  3 November 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  2 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £82,000.00 - £92,000.00 Annually (Actual) Dependent on experience

Chief Financial Officer job summary

Help shape the future of our thriving, values-led family of schools.

The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the next stage of the Trust’s development.

This is much more than a traditional finance role. As our CFO, you will be a trusted strategic adviser to the CEO and Trustees, helping to shape major decisions, strengthen our financial resilience and ensure that our resources make the greatest possible difference to children and young people.

You will lead the Trust’s financial and stewardship strategy across a diverse family of schools, bringing clarity, insight and ambition to long-term planning, investment and organisational growth. You will also ensure that we maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship, governance and control.

We are looking for a financially astute and values-driven leader who can combine professional rigour with commercial awareness and excellent judgement. You will be able to turn complex financial information into clear strategic advice, challenge constructively and build strong relationships with trustees, school leaders and colleagues across the Trust.

You will bring:

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification and current professional membership, and/or the CIPFA Level 7 qualification, consistent with the Academy Trust Handbook 2026 expectations for larger trusts.
• Significant senior financial leadership experience within a large, complex or multi-site organisation.
• Strong expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, risk, audit and financial governance.
• The confidence to provide clear, independent and appropriately challenging advice.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to develop high-performing teams.
• A commitment to public service and to the Trust’s Christian vision, values and inclusive ethos.

Experience within the academy or wider education sector would be valuable, but it is not essential. Of greater importance is your ability to bring strategic insight, integrity and a genuine commitment to using financial leadership to improve opportunities and outcomes for children.

At DSAT, you will join an ambitious and supportive organisation where your expertise will be valued and your contribution will be visible. You will have the opportunity to influence Trust-wide strategy, modernise financial systems and processes, develop organisational capability and help secure a sustainable future for our schools.

If you are an accomplished finance leader looking for a role with significant scope, purpose and influence, we would be delighted to hear from you.

To arrange an informal and confidential conversation about the role with our CEO, please contact Nicki Summerill - nsummerill@dsat.org.uk or 01722 548519.

The role will largely be based in our attractive office accommodation in Wilton, near Salisbury, with the need for some travel across Wiltshire and Dorset, and the opportunity for some home working. We offer free parking and a number of staff benefits that can be viewed on our website.

The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Diocese Of Salisbury Academy Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/diocese-of-salisbury-academy-trust

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