Director Of Finance & Operations

The Headmaster and Governors of Old Buckenham Hall are looking to appoint an ambitious, talented and committed individual to the significant role of Director of Finance & Operations. The successful candidate will form a vital part of the Senior Management Team and will report directly to the Headmaster.

Set in 80 acres of Suffolk parkland, Old Buckenham Hall is one of the country’s oldest and most beautiful preparatory schools. Since 1862, it has provided children with a rigorous curriculum and unparalleled co-curricular opportunities, all underpinned by an outstanding system of pastoral care. A co-educational school for children aged 2 to 13, OBH serves a boarding and day community that go on attend some of the most aspirational senior schools in the UK, many having achieved scholarships. Regular destinations include Eton, Benenden, Oundle, Uppingham and Rugby, as well schools in East Anglia.

With a new Headmaster, Mr James Large, having joined the school in September 2023, OBH is at an exciting point in its development which will see the design and implementation of a new strategic plan. The DFO will work alongside the Headmaster and the Governors to help the school realise its ambitions to remain as a market-leading and thriving standalone prep school. 

The DFO will oversee the smooth operation and strategic planning of the non-teaching areas of OBH. He or she will work closely with the Chairman and Chair of the Finance & General Purposes Committee on all Financial, Legal, Compliance and Physical Infrastructure issues. As the business lead of the school, the successful candidate will possess impressive financial acumen, enjoy working collaboratively, and appreciate the operational challenges to be found within the independent school sector. Prior experience in the education sector is not a prerequisite and applications are encouraged from candidates with commercial, charitable, private-sector and public-sector backgrounds. The successful candidate will, however, demonstrate empathy with independent education and commitment to OBH’s ethos and values. 

A highly attractive remuneration package, including optional on-site accommodation and fee remission, will be available for the successful candidate. The salary for this role will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and expertise.

Further information on Old Buckenham Hall can be found at: https://www.obh.co.uk/  

A candidate brief can be downloaded from www.odgers.com/90996

A CV and covering letter should be submitted by 9.00am on Friday 8 March.

Old Buckenham Hall is committed to safeguarding children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with any past employer and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Employees and prospective employees will not be unfairly discriminated against on grounds of disability, gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, belief, culture, nationality, national origin, age, sexual orientation and trade union membership or non-membership. This list is not exhaustive and there are other forms of discrimination that will not be tolerated.