Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Connect Education Trust, London, N9 9TT17 days remaining to apply
Start date details
ASAP
Closing date
8 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
21 September 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
- £62,688.00 - £82,851.00 Annually (FTE) Hay grades head of service 1
Deputy Chief Financial Officer job summary
Job Title: Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Reports to: Chief Financial and Operations Officer (CFOO)
This job description summaries the purpose and responsibilities of the role; it is not an exhaustive list of tasks that may be necessary and undertaken to achieve this purpose. The purpose and responsibilities can be varied from time to time at the discretion of the Trust, in consultation with the role holder.
Role PurposeTo maintain strategic oversight of all Trust financial operations, ensuring full compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, DfE requirements, and statutory regulations. To hold direct accountability for financial controls, risk management, budget monitoring, and high-performing finance services across all Trust schools.
Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Management and Control
Deputise for the CFO across all financial matters as required.
Direct the finance department, supervising staff and managing relationships with auditors, bankers, payroll, pensions, DfE, and third-party contractors.
Oversee financial records, month-end procedures, bank reconciliations, VAT returns, and ordering/purchasing routines in line with the scheme of delegation.
Lead the preparation and submission of the Trust’s Annual Reports, financial returns, and Companies House documentation within statutory timescales.
Manage financial systems and IT infrastructure, maintaining data back-ups, risk mitigations, and fraud prevention controls.
Execute employer obligations for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).
Direct cash flow, money transfers between accounts, credit card controls, and pursue debt recovery or legal action where appropriate.
Provide financial onboarding, systems training, and support for newly joining Trust schools and newly appointed key personnel.
Strategic Planning and Advisory
Partner with the CFOO and Accounting Officer to develop and execute the long-term financial strategy and multi-year business plans.
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs), benchmarking models, and performance tracking across all Trust institutions.
Provide expert advisory to the Trust Board and executive leadership on regulatory updates, compliance, and financial strategy.
Drive procurement efficiency, cost-saving initiatives, and revenue generation opportunities across all sites.
Continuous evaluation and implementation of robust financial policies and internal control measures.
Team Leadership and Operational Governance
Manage daily finance office operations, ensuring continuous service delivery during school holiday periods.
Conduct performance appraisals, identify training gaps, address underperformance, and build robust succession plans.
Foster a professional, respectful team culture aligned with the Trust's core values and strategic priorities.
Trust-Wide Commitments
Adhere strictly to Trust policies regarding Child Protection, Safeguarding, and Equal Opportunities.
Maintain compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related Trust protocols.
Promote the vision, ethos, and reputation of Connect Education Trust in all professional interactions.
Communications
Using a command of spoken English that is sufficient to effectively carry out the duties of the role and liaise verbally and in writing with parents, pupils, governors, Agencies and other Organisations.
Other Responsibilities
To undertake such duties of a similar nature as may be reasonably directed by the Chief Executive Officer from time to time. The duties and responsibilities of the post may vary from time to time according to the changing needs of the Trust.
The postholder shall ensure the duties of the post are undertaken with due regard to the Trust’s Health & Safety Policy and to their personal responsibilities under the provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all other relevant subordinate legislation.
All Connect Education Staff Will
Promote equality of opportunity
Follow Safeguarding and Child Protection policy/procedures
Contribute to producing/delivering priorities in the Trust Strategic Development Plan
Keep their own performance under review, contributing to monitoring, evaluation and review and participate in performance management/appraisal
Promote positive attitudes and behaviour
Contribute to the smooth day to day running of the Trust
Be committed to achieving the Trust values
Work to develop the Trust as a successful inclusive Trust
Respond promptly to concerns from parents, staff or students
Promote the Trust in the community
Work in partnership with all colleagues including the Local Governing Bodies and Trust Board
Support Code of Conduct for staff
Have regard for and act in accordance with Health and Safety policy/practice
Celebrate success of pupils and staff
All Connect Education Trust Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Therefore, all employees working at the Trust are expected to share this commitment. The Trust and its schools are committed to ensuring that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment or is disadvantaged on the ground of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status or race. We encourage expertise and a staff that supports one another to develop their own practice by creating remarkable futures for all pupils.
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
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Connect Education Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
The Connect Education Trust (CET) is a group of schools based in North London who share a common purpose to make a difference to the lives of young people and believe that this happens when there is effective collaboration between schools and other partners.
We have a motto across our Trust ‘'be included, be connected' which describes our ethos and vision. We believe that we must strive to remove any barriers to learning so that every young person regardless of their start in life can be successful, happy and leave us equipped for the next stage in their life.
All the schools in the trust share common aims and values and draw upon the best practice from local, national and global research. We recognise that our schools serve their own communities and are unique but we insist that our schools follow the ELT way of working to ensure high expectations and equality of opportunity for all our pupils.
We pride ourselves on growing our own staff teams who have the opportunity to work in exciting, well-organised and vibrant environments. We offer high quality support and training to ensure career progression for all staff. Leaders and teachers are helped to develop through our positive teaching school relationships. Staff are encouraged to collaborate with staff in their own school but across the trust and beyond. Through this collaboration we improve our practice and everyone moves forward together.
If you are interested in visiting any of our schools please contact the school directly. You will receive a very warm welcome.
If you are interested in joining our Trust please email us at contactus@eltpartnership.org
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