Chief Finance and Operations Officer | Skinners’ Academies Trust

Peridot Partners; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A collaborative education trust in Greater London is seeking a Chief Finance and Operations Officer to lead strategic financial initiatives and operational excellence across multiple schools. The ideal candidate will have a strong accounting background, proven experience in a multi-site environment, and the ability to advise on financial planning and compliance. This position offers an opportunity to impact educational outcomes significantly within a supportive leadership framework.

Benefits

Step-free access to the building

Work-pattern flexibility

Inclusive recruitment process

Qualifications

• Experience in finance and/or operations in a complex, multi-site environment.
• Ability to manage financial operations rigorously.
• Emotionally intelligent and resilient leader.

Responsibilities

• Shape the strategic direction of the Trust from a finance and operations perspective.
• Lead on financial strategy, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Oversee audit and reporting, supporting schools with financial planning.

Skills

Financial strategy

Operational excellence

Financial compliance

Investment advice

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Home / Roles / Chief Finance and Operations Officer | Skinners’ Academies Trust

Chief Finance and Operations Officer

Skinners’ Academies Trust is a collaborative, values‑driven Trust of six high‑performing schools across London and Kent. We are seeking a strategic Chief Finance & Operations Officer (CFOO) to shape the next stage of the Trust’s evolution by ensuring financial efficiency and operational excellence, supporting our headteachers to deliver the highest quality of education across all our schools.

• Location: London and Kent

About the role

As Chief Finance & Operations Officer (CFOO), you will shape the strategic direction of the Trust from a finance and operations perspective. Working closely with the Senior Executive Leader and Trustees, you will lead on financial strategy, compliance, and operational excellence, ensuring every pound spent delivers maximum educational impact.

This leadership role requires the ability to manage financial operations rigorously while thinking strategically at both Trust and school level. You will oversee audit and reporting, support schools with financial planning, and advise them on investments in infrastructure and people. You will also design and deliver an operational strategy that enhances quality and efficiency without compromising each school’s distinctiveness through procurement, risk management, and compliance frameworks, shared IT, estates and culture of professional excellence.

You will line‑manage central finance and operations leads, collaborate with headteachers, school business managers and governors, and advise on strategic growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on financial strategy and compliance for the Trust.
• Provide accurate forecasting and transparent reporting.
• Support schools with financial planning and investment advice.
• Design and deliver operational strategies for procurement, risk management, IT and estates.
• Foster a culture of professional excellence across non‑teaching teams.
• Advises on strategic growth, partnerships and risk management.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a strategic, values‑driven leader who can translate resources into opportunity. The successful candidate will be:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or working toward the same.
• Experienced in finance and/or operations in a complex, multi‑site environment.
• Strong technical mastery with strategic vision; capable of ensuring compliance, accuracy and sound financial management.
• Emotionally intelligent, politically astute and resilient, with warmth and credibility in relationships.

Core capabilities include:

• Lead collaboratively with headteachers, governors, trustees and central colleagues.
• Bring rigour and clarity to financial management and forecasting.
• Think strategically and creatively to design multi‑year operational solutions.
• Drive efficiency and innovation across shared systems.
• Champion compliance and governance in line with the Academy Trust Handbook.

Benefits

• Step‑free access to the building, meeting rooms and bathrooms.
• Accessibility dogs welcome; hearing loops and sign‑language interpretation available.
• Work‑pattern flexibility and location adjustments available.
• Inclusive recruitment process with equality monitoring survey.

Equal Opportunities

Skinners’ Academies Trust and Peridot Partners are committed to promoting equality and diversity. We ensure an inclusive and equitable recruitment process, and treat all information confidentially in line with the Data Protection Act 2018.

Closing date

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 1st December 2025
Candidates informed of outcome: Friday 5th December 2025
Interviews: Tuesday 9th December 2025

How to apply

Send your application to [e-mail] with the subject line “Application: Skinners’ Academies Trust—Chief Finance and Operations Officer”. Please include a supporting statement that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification.