Chief Financial Operations Officer (CFOO) | Cumbria Education Trust

Peridot Partners; Brampton; Hybrid; CAD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational trust is seeking a Chief Financial Operations Officer (CFOO) to support strategic development. This hybrid role involves financial leadership, operational management, and ensuring resource alignment. Ideal candidates will have significant senior leadership experience and a proven track record in finance, making a meaningful impact on education across the region.

Benefits

Hybrid work model

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven track record in finance and operations.
• Experience in a complex, multi-site organisation.
• Ability to oversee financial, HR, IT, and governance functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic financial leadership across the Trust.
• Ensure financial sustainability and operational excellence.
• Drive cost optimisation while maintaining service quality.

Skills

Financial acumen

Operational expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Home / Roles / Chief Financial Operations Officer (CFOO) | Cumbria Education Trust

Chief Financial Operations Officer (CFOO) Cumbria Education Trust

Join Cumbria Education Trust in this new role to support the Trust in the next phase of strategic development across financial and operations.

• Location: Hybrid (head offices in Brampton, with regular travel to schools across the trust)
• Salary: Minimum £100,000, dependent on experience

Cumbria Education Trust (CET) is seeking an ambitious and strategic Chief Financial Operations Officer (CFOO) to join our executive team at an exciting moment in our organisation’s journey. We are proud to be the largest multi-academy trust in Cumbria, and as we celebrate our 10th year, we will continue to grow and welcome additional schools into our family. We are looking for a leader with the vision, expertise, and values to ensure our resources and operations are aligned to deliver the very best for every pupil as we enter this exciting next stage of our development.

As we enter our next exciting phase of development, we are looking for a leader with the vision, expertise, and values to lead the evolution of our Trust Services to ensure our resources and operations are aligned to deliver the very best for every pupil.

CET is the largest trust in the region. Our growth brings both opportunity and responsibility: we are committed to efficient, sustainable operations, strong governance, and a culture where every child and school matters.

In our 10th year as we look ahead, our focus remains on pupils. Every decision, strategy, and investment is guided by one question: how will this help our young peoplebe the best they can be?

With a committed leadership team, dedicated staff, and supportive communities, we are confident that CET will continue to thrive and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across Cumbria.

We have a new opportunity for an ambitious and strategically focused Chief Financial Operations Officer (CFOO) to join our executive team. We are seeking an experienced senior leader with the vision, expertise, and values to lead the evolution of our Trust Services to ensure our resources and operations are aligned to deliver the very best for every pupil.

Who we are

Cumbria Education Trust (CET) has grown into a thriving family of 17 schools, 12 primary schools, 5 secondary schools and a joint sixth form.

Mission

Our mission is to be a high-performing Trust leading sector development

Vision

Our vision is to transform lives and livelihoods through learning, so that every young person reaches their full potential.

Values

Each of our schools has a distinctive culture, but our staff and students alike are united around our three core values of—our three Rs—of respect, responsibility and resilience.

• Respect. To be tolerant and understanding of ourselves, others and society.
• Responsibility. To be self-motivated to drive learning and be good citizens.
• Resilience. To understand and embrace challenge for personal growth.

Motto

Be the best you can be.

We believe our schools are stronger together. and are proud of the culture we have built: one where children always come first.

About the role

The Chief Financial Operations Officer (CFOO) is a senior executive role combining strategic financial leadership with comprehensive operational management across the central business functions of the Trust.

This position reports directly to the Chief Executive and serves as a key member of the senior team, ensuring financial sustainability, operational excellence, and strategic resource planning through the development of the Trust’s operating model, systems and processes, driving cost optimisation while maintaining service quality.

The role has strategic oversight of finance, HR, estates, IT, governance, marketing and wider business functions. It requires someone who can combine strategic insight with operational capability, ensuring both the “day-to-day” runs smoothly and that the Trust is equipped for the future.

This role will provide strategic and cultural leadership to Trust Services, shaping and driving the implementation of a high-impact transformation agenda, improving operational and financial performance across the Trust while building capacity and a values-driven culture for sustainable growth.

Who we are looking for

You will be an experienced senior leader who can bring together financial acumen, operational expertise, and a commitment to our values. You will also have a proven background in finance as a qualified accountant with significant senior leadership experience, ideally gained in a complex, multi-site organisation.

You will bring a demonstrable track record of shaping and delivering strategy at scale, and the ability to oversee multi-disciplinary functions spanning finance, HR, estates, IT and operations. Strategic foresight will be essential, as well as a willingness to engage in the operational realities of a fast-growing Trust.

Alongside technical and strategic expertise, we are looking for a leader who is visible and approachable, who can engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, and who shares our values and believes that every child deserves the very best.

Peridot Partners and Cumbria Education Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:

If you would like to know more about this role please contact Eddie Caviezel Cox

Cumbria Education Trust (CET) is a family of schools united by a shared purpose: to enable every young person to reach their potential and achieve the success they deserve. While each academy retains its distinctive ethos, we are guided by a common vision and values that underpin everything we do.

Our vision is simple: to provide an innovative and inspiring learning experience that enables every pupil to succeed.

This is guided by three core values:

• Respect. To be tolerant and understanding of ourselves, others and society.
• Responsibility. To be self-motivated to drive learning and be good citizens.
• Resilience. To understand and embrace challenge for personal growth.

Our schools share best practice, leaders learn from one another, and staff benefit from professional development opportunities. Our curriculum is broad and enriched, promoting curiosity, creativity, and engagement with communities. We see schools as vital hubs, supported by families and stakeholders who share our pride and ambition.

CET is the largest trust in the region. Our growth brings both opportunity and responsibility: we are committed to efficient, sustainable operations, strong governance, and a culture where every child and school matters.

As we look ahead, our focus remains on pupils. Every decision, strategy, and investment is guided by one question: how will this help our young people be the best they can be? With a committed leadership team, dedicated staff, and supportive communities, we are confident that CET will continue to thrive and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across Cumbria.

Learn more about Cumbria Education Trust:

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To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivationin applying for this position.

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For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:

As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive, and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.

If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact Eddie Caviezel Cox. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.

Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.

Timetable

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 13th October 2025
Candidates informed of outcome: Thursday 16th October 2025
First stage Interviews: Tuesday 21st October 2025
Second stage Interviews: Wednesday 22nd October 2025

Peridot and Cumbria Education Trust are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions.We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.

The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.

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