Financial Controller

About us:

Activate Learning is a pioneering education group which is growing to meet opportunities in the education market. From a single Further Education college, the organisation has evolved into an international group including secondary, further and higher education, apprenticeship and workforce training, consultancy and commercial business.

We empower everyone in the business to go further in learning and in life, by recognising their uniqueness and by providing an environment which builds confidence and raises aspirations.

The Group has doubled in size through acquisition in the past 3 years and currently has a turnover of approximately GBP85m. Further organic growth is targeted through online opportunities, higher education, increasing commercial revenue streams as well as potential acquisition growth.

Job role:

The Group Financial Controller is a critical contributor to the ongoing success and targeted growth of the organisation.

The role is rich and diverse, leading on all aspects of the financial operations of the Group. You will provide sound financial management, appropriate accounting, robust reporting, planning processes, cash forecasting and stakeholder management.

You will manage an established and successful team on these core activities, together with reasonable existing business processes. You will need to provide structural financial support & business partnering to the Group to help deliver these elements successfully.

What do you need to be successful in this role?

The breadth of the group's activities offers a complex and challenging role for a robust and resilient individual. An inspiring and dynamic leader who will continue to be an agent of change within this dynamic and forward–thinking organisation.

Commercial/SME experience would be preferred as a hands–on approach is essential.

The successful candidate will hold either an ACCA or CIMA qualification with experience of managing change in a complex and challenging environment and strong financial management experience.

What are the benefits of this role?

We have already taken great strides and moved forward progressively over the last 3 years but there is the capacity and appetite to do so much more.

There really is no limit in terms of your personal growth, development and career by joining one of the largest Education Providers in the UK. You will have a comprehensive development program as part of induction together with peer to peer learning, a formal development plan and support at every step of the way to set you up for success.

We offer a buddy system, a digital induction module and a close–knit community of experts and leaders across the Group to support the sharing of best practice and encourage individual growth. We have extensive technology in place to develop digital capability and flexible working arrangements will be considered for the right candidate.

What are the benefits of working for Activate Learning Group?

At Activate Learning we are pioneering education with an unwavering focus on providing talent for business and transforming lives through our award–winning Learning Philosophy. Our student experience is the result of our attention to detail in recruiting, developing and retaining the right staff who match and promote the values and behaviours of our brand.

We reward our employees with generous annual leave entitlements, access to training and development, travel subsidies – bus and train, cycle scheme, onsite parking (first come first served), plenty of public transport options for all sites, discounted membership to the Lifestyle Centre (on some campuses) and Employee Assistance Programme.

Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive.

We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.

Activate Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a DBS check at the appropriate level.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as we do not sponsor work permits and work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.

Applications are encouraged from all candidates meeting or exceeding the minimum criteria for the role regardless of age, disability, gender, orientation, race, religion or ethnicity.

Activate Learning are committed to employing people with disabilities and will ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments either at application or interview stage please contact the talent team directly.

If an agency submits an unsolicited CV to any partner or employee of our company, you should be aware that they have no authority to enter into an arrangement with you. Should we require recruitment agency involvement, we will contact the agencies on our preferred suppliers list, and we would ask that you respect the relationships we have already built with these suppliers.