Finance Director

Finance Director

Derbyshire

£55,000 - £65,000

Esteem Multi Academy Trust will comprise of 6 special school and 3 pupil referral unit (PRU's) academies based in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Overall the MAT will be responsible for the education and welfare of approximately 900 children and young people and employ around 500 staff. The total revenue budget for the MAT is approaching £20 million and plans are already being considered to expand further.

Esteem MAT has a well-defined set of values and a clear vision for the Trust to become a regional hub in the Midlands for expertise in SEND. Its ethos is that collaborative working is key to achieving an end result, which is greater than the sum of the efforts of individual schools.

The role:

The Finance Director position is a newly created role and critical in shaping and developing the MAT. This represents a unique opportunity for somebody that shares the same values and beliefs to join the Trust Executive Team at a very exciting time. This post is key to accommodating ambitious future plans and will provide clear financial and commercial direction to the MAT, acting as Chief Finance Officer and Company Secretary.

As Finance Director you will report to and work alongside the CEO, with responsibility for leading and managing all aspects of finance, as well as contributing to the strategic direction of the Trust. You will be tasked with keeping ahead of all funding and legislative changes that apply to the education sector and will be required to advise the Board of Trustees on strategic financial information to enable them to make informed financial decisions. Within the role you will be responsible for the operational line management for the finance function and managing all the financial accounting and transactional finance for the MAT, ensuring all systems are updated and reporting is timely and in line with required annual financial returns. In addition you will work with the finance team and academy Business Managers to co-ordinate with the work of the External Auditor and prepare and submit audited statutory consolidated accounts. You will also be responsible for implementing robust systems, processes and controls, maintaining a fixed asset register, monitoring financial performance, overseeing the estates and facilities programme, as well as establishing and managing a Trust Treasury function.

The successful candidate must be an exceptional professional with ambition and drive, who shares the organisation's values and passion for improving the lives and opportunities of children and young people with special educational needs and challenging behaviours. It is essential that you hold a financial qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA), with experience of delivering management and financial accounts gained in a ‘hands on' role. The ideal candidate will be commercially astute and have experience of leading successful teams preferably across multi-site organisations. This will be a challenging environment, so strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels is a prerequisite. Candidates from all sectors will be considered as long as they can demonstrate transferable skills and a commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in a changing landscape, where ensuring the sustainability of the organisation is key.

Benefits include;

• Local Government Pension Scheme,
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays,
• flexible working,
• 37 hours per week,
• Staff welfare Scheme
• free parking.

This opportunity is being managed exclusively by Hays Senior Finance and any direct or third party applications will be forwarded to the Account Manager, Matthew Lane. To be considered for this Finance Director role please apply today. 

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 25th May.

Short-listing: Monday 4th June.

Final Interview: Monday 11 June.