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Head of Finance:

Salary: TSAT BAND H/I, £46,685 – £61,869 – dependant on prior experience
Full time - 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Location: Trust Central offices at New Horizons Children’s Academy, Chatham
Closing Date :Monday 31st August 2020
Interview Date : Wednesday 9th September 2020

We are looking for a Head of Finance to join our forward thinking, large Multi-Academy Trust
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is a successful family of schools that work together to improve the life chances of all its children and young people. It makes fulfilment, personal development and support of its staff a priority. Our Trust currently consists of 17 schools, 12 Primary and 5 Secondary, based across the Portsmouth, Medway & Kent areas.

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is a successful, diverse and growing Multi Academy-Trust, we are a family of schools who are stronger together. We are now seeking to appoint a Head of Finance that will be responsible for the financial control of the c£52 million of income and expenditure.

This position will be primarily based in Medway at the Trust Central offices at New Horizons Children’s Academy but will require travel between our school sites.

This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated and solution focused individual to provide high quality strategic leadership of our Finance department. You will be a key member of the Senior Management Team, providing advice and guidance to senior leaders, ensuring the Trust maintain excellent financial controls and deliver a first class service to its Academies and other stakeholders.

You will need outstanding financial knowledge and acumen and an ability to develop systems and procedures that are forward thinking and support the Trust’s strategic goals.

You will oversee a large Central Finance Team and have to use your interpersonal skills to provide strategic guidance, challenge and support to your team and other stakeholders.

As the lead TSAT member of the Trust Finance Committee you will be responsible for reporting to Governors on behalf of all schools and will need a sound understanding of budgeting and forecasting, along with the ability to present complex information in an accessible way.

This role will work closely with our Deputy CEO on some high profile cases across the sector, implementing turnaround strategies for Trusts identified by the ESFA that have been issued with a financial notice to improve. It is therefore essential for us to appoint a candidate who is experienced within the sector and is able to quickly build rapport with stakeholders and gain trust.

Your new role:

(For a full list of responsibilities please see the attached job description)

◦You will provide oversight of financial controls within the organisation
◦Provide leadership to the Central Finance Team
◦Develop the finance system to ensure its effective use by all
◦Oversee the funds in the academy and ensure that cash movement is monitored and expenditure by fund is accurate
◦Report on the financial position of the organisation and develop the use of reporting for all
◦Consolidate the Trust budget and act as the lead officer to the ◦Trust Finance Committee
◦Support the work of Thinking Solutions for Education Ltd by providing financial management support for external clients

The successful candidate will have the following experience:

◦The position will require knowledge and experience within Academy or School Finance
◦Working towards or achieved ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA

What we can offer you:

◦The opportunity to join a growing organisation during an extremely exciting time, with the opportunity for progression as the Trust grows in size
◦Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme
◦The successful applicant will also have access to the local government pension scheme and an annual leave entitlement of 26 days, increasing to 30 after 5 years of service.
◦A competitive salary
◦A fun, hardworking and welcoming team who enjoy supporting each other
◦Vast support network from senior leaders within the school and our Trust
◦A 24/7 employee assistance programme which provides counselling and support / advice on a wide array of areas
◦Reduced membership of a fully-equipped fitness suite and classes – located on the Trust Central site in Chatham

Early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.