Chief Finance & Operations Officer

Ref: SCH-VAT-0222

Establishment: Vantage Academies Trust Location: Trust Wide Salary: 71729.00 - 81070.00 Department: Management Operations Job Type: Full Time

Closing Date: 20/09/2024 12:00 Interview Date: - Start Date: ASAP

Additional Information

Contract Type: Permanent Contract Term: AYR - All year round Hours per Week: 37.00 Weeks per Year: 52.143 Pay Grade: Leadership | L18 - L23

The Role

Chief Finance and Operations Officer

£71,729 - £81,070 per annum (pay award pending wef 1 September 2024)

Full Time, 37 hours x 52 weeks (Monday to Friday)

Are you passionate about working with an Academy Trust and looking for a Finance and Operations career where you can help us to become GREAT?

We are a dynamic and forward-thinking Academy Trust committed to providing exceptional educational experiences to our students.

This role presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced and inspirational finance professional to become our Chief Finance and Operations Officer.

As the Chief Finance and Operations Officer, you will be a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and be responsible for reviewing existing practices and processes alongside securing the financial future of our Trust, ensuring public money is safeguarded at all times.

You will also have strategic responsibility for the Trusts operations which will allow you to expand your involvement and knowledge into wider operations matters for the Trust.

You will provide strategic financial leadership, ensuring robust financial management, compliance and sustainability across the Trust and our Academies.

The role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of our students by driving financial efficiency and supporting the Trusts growth plans.

You will be an experienced finance or accounting professional preferably in an Academy Trust/School setting where you will bring outstanding leadership skills and a proven track record of achieving positive outcomes.

Key Responsibiilties

· Lead the financial strategy and operations of the Academy Trust, ensuring sound financial planning, budgeting and forecasting.

· Provide clear and accurate financial reporting to the Board of Trustees, CEO and other key stakeholders.

· Oversee the Trusts financial performance, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.

· Manage and develop the Finance Team fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

· Collaborate with senior leaders to support strategic decision making and resource allocation.

· Act as Company Secretary

· Lead on Operations across the Trust

About You

· Proven experience in a senior financial leadership role, ideally within the Academy or Education sector.

· Strong understanding of financial management within a multi-academy trust or similar organisation.

· Excellent strategic thinker and problem solving skills.

· Strong persuasive, influencing and interpersonal skills

· A commitment to the values and ethos of the Academy Trust and a passion for education.

What we offer:

· A competitive salary and benefits package

· Professional development opportunities to further enhance your career

· A supportive and collaborative working environment

· Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (Vantage plus) which includes one wellbeing day in additional to annual leave

Application Process

If you are a strategic financial leader with a passion for education and you are ready to take on this challenging and rewarding role then we would love to hear from you.

Please see application pack attached

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Jill Messham (Chief Executive Officer) on 07731 515132 or jill.messham@vantageacademies.co.uk

Closing date for completed applications is 20 September 2024 (12 noon)

Interviews will take place during October 2024.

Skills

Qualifications
Professional finance or finance related qualification at graduate level (i.e. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, MAAT or equivalent)	Essential
Good knowledge of MAT / School financial procedures	Essential
Qualified Accountant	Desirable
Personal Qualities
A proven track record of good attendance	Essential
Sense of Humour	Essential
Personal Attributes
Capable of delegating, motivating across different areas and guiding team effort towards efficient productivity and meeting objectives	Essential
Capable of multitasking, problem solving and delivering to strict deadlines	Essential
Commitment to staff’s and own personal development	Essential
Good leadership skills and ability to inspire and challenge colleagues	Essential
Capacity to work under pressure to meet deadlines and organisational priorities	Essential
Strong decision making skills with the ability to make decisions and recommendations based on the analysis of options	Essential
Clear analytical skills to allow the exploration, evaluation and interpretation of information and opinions and utilisation of management information systems	Essential
Excellent skills in strategic planning and strategic management of financial resources	Essential
Knowledge of financial accounting and contracting procedures and practices	Desirable
Team-player, personable, emotionally intelligent	Desirable
Strong persuasive, influencing and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently at all levels	Essential
Team-player, personable, emotionally intelligent	Essential
Has a driving license and own transport	Essential
Experience/Knowledge
Experience in project management	Desirable
Knowledge and experience of acquiring grant funding	Desirable
Experience of managing payroll and HR within a similar role	Desirable
A minimum of 5 years’ experience of managing staff	Desirable
Significant post qualifying experience and in- depth professional knowledge acquired through experience	Essential
In depth knowledge of statutory requirements, procedures and regulatory requirements relating to academies.	Essential
Good knowledge of Academy Handbook	Essential
Experience managing significant financial resources with a good appreciation of relevant regulatory frameworks	Essential
Familiarity of financial processes and procedures. Experience of effectively managing a team	Essential
High level of IT competence, literacy and numeracy skills Experience of managing budgets/ generating income	Essential
Experience of communication with colleagues and contractors at all levels of the organisation and the ability to negotiate and act on behalf of the site in relation to contracts	Essential
High level of IT competence, literacy and numeracy skills Experience of managing budgets/ generating income	Essential
Experience of managing budgets/ generating income	Essential
Managing procurement and contracts	Desirable
Experience of using and supporting others in the use of financial software packages, including a working knowledge of PS Financials and IMP	Desirable
Experience of financial management systems, including the design & implementation of controls	Essential