Head of Finance

Waterton Academy Trust, Wakefield, WF2 6LD

27 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  6 July 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  9 June 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: Leadership Scale B1 to B4 £56,601 to £60,617 (pending confirmation of pay award)
• Additional allowances:

  Leadership Scale B1 to B4 £56,601 to £60,617 (pending confirmation of pay award)

Head of Finance job summary

Thank you for your interest in the role of Head of Finance at Waterton Academy Trust.

We are delighted to share this opportunity with individuals who are passionate about strong financial stewardship, effective systems and controls, and ensuring that every pound of public funding supports the best possible outcomes for our children and young people.

Waterton Academy Trust is a dynamic and growing multi-academy trust, comprising primary, early years and specialist settings across Wakefield and Barnsley. We are proud of our strong culture of collaboration, integrity and ambition for all learners.

As a publicly funded organisation, we recognise our responsibility to safeguard public funds, maintain robust financial controls and provide high-quality financial leadership across all academies. This role is central to ensuring that our finance function continues to run smoothly, efficiently and effectively as the Trust grows.

The Head of Finance will work alongside the Chief Financial Officer to provide strategic and operational leadership of the Trust finance function. The postholder will lead and support the central finance team, prepare and review management accounts, support budget planning and forecasting, strengthen financial reporting, and provide expert advice and guidance to school and Trust leaders.

A key aspect of the role will be helping to shape the next stage of our finance service. This includes developing fit-for-purpose systems and controls, improving consistency across academies, supporting the use of financial modelling and scenario planning, and ensuring that leaders have clear, timely and user-friendly financial information to support decision-making.

The role combines strategic influence with hands-on operational delivery. It requires strong technical finance capability, attention to detail, the confidence to provide constructive challenge and the ability to build effective relationships with colleagues across the central team, academies, auditors and external partners.

As Waterton continues to grow, there is genuine scope for this role to develop further in influence, breadth and impact. For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to deepen senior leadership experience, deputise for the CFO when required, contribute to Trust-wide financial strategy and play a significant role in shaping a finance function that is resilient, responsive and ready for future growth.

If you are committed to strong governance, collaborative working, continuous improvement and achieving the best possible use of public funds, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We look forward to receiving your application.

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

Waterton Academy Trust is wholly committed to ensuring children and young people are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and young people whilst promoting their welfare and expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility.
Waterton Academy Trust follows safer recruitment processes which all applicants will be subject to. An enhanced DBS check is required for the successful candidates and two satisfactory references. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of any unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.

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 Waterton Academy Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Waterton Academy Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/waterton-academy-trust

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