Chief Finance Officer

Hope Sentamu Learning Trust has fourteen academies  located within York, Hull and North Yorkshire. Our Trust comprises six secondary, six primary and two alternative provision academies.

We are currently seeking a values-driven Chief Finance Officer to support the strategic financial development of our Trust. The CFO will drive internal excellence by providing strong financial leadership, guidance and stewardship to deliver the organisation’s financial objectives.

This rewarding role involves working directly with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer, our schools/academies, Board of Directors and our central team. This role is vital to the financial stability and growth of the Trust which supports our pupils, colleagues and school communities.

The role supports the leadership and finance staff within the central team and school/academy level in performing their roles, ensuring that the Trust operates outstanding financial compliance and governance in line with the Academy Trust Handbook and the annual accounts directives.

What we are looking for:

• An experienced and qualified accountant with preferred, though not essential,  financial experience of the education or public sector
• Must hold one of the following qualifications; ACCA, CMA® or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification and hold a valid membership of a relevant professional body
• A values-driven, strategic problem-solver who wants to make a difference
• A working knowledge of budgets in excess of £30M
• A proven track record in leading and developing a team successfully
• The ability to prioritise your workload and the associated teams while maintaining accuracy and meeting key deadlines
• Strong working knowledge of financial management systems and ability to project accurate cashflow forecasts
• An analytical approach with the ability to respond effectively to the changing landscape of educational funding 
• An understanding of an in-house payroll provision
• Evidence of continuing professional development and/or personal development.
• Ability to travel freely across all schools within the Trust

What we offer:

• Experienced and supportive leadership  with a collaborative approach and an appreciative culture
• An established, experienced and friendly central team
• Holiday entitlement 25 days (increases after 5 years continuous service) plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Occupational Health
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme

Role Details

Type of Contract - Permanent

Full Year - 52 weeks

Full Time - 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Office Location - York or Hull - Dependant on home location

Travel Required - Yes

Line Manager - Chief Operating Officer

Application Process

For further details, please see the job description and person specification attached.

Please complete the online application form to apply for this role. You should use the information supplied within the job description & person specification to make the best of your application by identifying some specific pieces of work you may have undertaken in any of these areas. Your application may be viewed in regard to some or all of the skill specific areas over the course of the selection process. 

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Vicki Wilson on 07725 116049, who will arrange a telephone call with the Chief Operating Officer, Wendy Munro.

Shortlisting - 6th February 2025

Interviews - 11th February 2025

APPLICATIONS VIA AGENCIES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AT THIS STAGE.

Hope Sentamu Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting our children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal records and barring checks, scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and other vetting checks.

Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the Trust. On joining you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practice and to safeguard our children and young people.