Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer
Full time, permanent
£70,000 - £75,000
To start from 10^th June 2024

 This is a unique opportunity for an enterprising and inspirational leader to join a very special values-driven Trust whose central office is based in Greater Manchester.

Focus Trust is a primary trust established in 2012 as a not-for- profit charity with children at the heart of everything it does. It currently has 15 primary schools though is looking to expand and this Chief Financial Officer role will be pivotal in the Trust’s growth strategy. The Trust prides itself on being a learning organisation, where the learning of all children and adults is valued and continually promoted.  We have approximately 6000 pupils, 1000 employees and a revenue budget close to £36m.

As an established organisation with sound financial systems and controls already in place, we are looking to appoint a Chief Financial Officer to lead and further develop the finance team, continually improve our systems and efficiencies and ensure that all statutory accounts and returns are completed and submitted. Building strong partnerships and relationships with Trustees, Principals, and school business managers is an important part of the role.

We are looking to build on existing financial systems, driving best practice through a range of areas including strategic financial management, procurement, contract negotiations, and tendering.   Taking overall responsibility for the financial leadership and management of the Trust to ensure financial sustainability.   

An experienced accounting professional with outstanding leadership skills and a track record of success at senior level, you should bring an enterprising approach to business development, strategy and partnerships. 

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they have:

• Financial expertise to help us navigate the current challenges being faced by the education sector.
• A passion for working in the education sector and commitment to our mission and vision.
• The ability to think strategically as well as have a good understanding of the wider context beyond education.
• The ability to inspire confidence and think creatively.
• A commitment to lead through others and empower teams.
• The ability to problem-solve with good organisation and prioritisation skills.
• A commitment to always place our children at the centre of decision making.

In return we offer:

• Great teams to work with, both centrally and in our schools
• A comprehensive hand over from the current CFO 
• A commitment to ensuring we live out our values
• Access to our employment assistance scheme
• A commitment to provide a strong responsive professional development offer for all.
• A commitment to uphold our culture of ‘Collective Efficacy’ where we have a shared commitment to work together on the things that matter to improve outcomes for all.
• A finance team with high expertise underpinned by Trust wide systems and processes (IRIS Education, Access Education and Lloyds)
• A strong Trust Board with skilled Trustees who provide the right balance of support and strategic balance so we can be our best for our children.
• The opportunity for a varied work pattern with a mix of time spent at our Head Office in RAM Mill,
• Oldham https://rammill.co.uk/ in schools and at home.
• A family friendly employer who recognises our employees are people first.
• Access to the Greater Manchester Pension Scheme.   (Defined benefit scheme)

Equity

We welcome applications from people within and beyond the education sector and will consider applications on merit respecting all nine protected characteristics.

Application process: 

• Closing date: Monday 12^th February 2024 at Noon Interview and selection process: Monday 26^th February 2024

If you would like to find out more about Focus-Trust and the role, please contact Helen Rowland, our Chief Executive: h.rowland@focus-trust.co.uk to arrange to talk via Zoom/Teams.

For a copy of the application pack and for more information about the process, please contact Natalie Harris, Chief Operating Officer, by email via the button below.

Further details about the Focus-Trust can be found at www.focus-trust.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @FocusTrust1