Chief Finance Officer

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Bury St Edmunds; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Part time

Job summary

An educational trust in Suffolk is seeking a part-time Chief Finance Officer. This role offers flexibility in hours and is ideal for a finance professional looking to impact children's education. Responsibilities include leading financial strategy and operations for the trust and its schools, requiring strong accounting and leadership skills. A clean UK driving license is essential for travel between schools. The position promises a collaborative environment and the chance to innovate in financial management.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a leadership role, ideally in education.
• Ability to build excellent working relationships with stakeholders.
• Clean UK driving licence required for travel between schools.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy and management for the trust.
• Ensure adherence to financial regulations and policies.
• Oversee financial operations across all schools in the MAT.

Skills

Strong accountancy skills

Leadership experience

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Accredited accountancy qualification

Job description

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, United Kingdom

Job Description

The Tilian Partnership

Address: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 1AD

Salary: £31.17 per hour

Hours: Part time, 23 hours per week

Contract: Permanent, required as soon as possible

Reference: 8304

Are you a Finance professional looking for a more flexible role to fit in with your lifestyle who has a passion to contribute to children receiving a first class education?

Perhaps you are looking for an impactful role where you can innovate and lead on financial strategy but aren’t looking for a full time role at this point in your career. The Tilian Partnership is offering a unique opportunity for the right person to become part of the trust’s senior executive team as a Chief Finance Officer, with flexibility to negotiate and set your working hours and working pattern.

Who we are

The Tilian Partnership, is a Suffolk based MAT of Church of England Primary Schools, believing that all children should receive a first class education to be well prepared for their life ahead academically, personally, emotionally and professionally. We are committed to our responsibility to support and challenge our schools and their staff to ensure success.

The role

The trust is looking for an inspirational finance professional to take on the role of Chief Finance Officer, and to help take the trust forward as it continues to grow. You will be based in the trust’s central office near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, but with a hybrid working style, meaning you will be able to work from home when appropriate. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (also the Accounting Officer), trust board and the MAT central team, you will ensure that the financial leadership and strategy supports and develops the educational aims, ethos and growth strategy of the trust, and each of its ten schools.

This is a strategic leadership role, with accountability for the operation, maintenance and development of systems, processes and procedures relating to finance across the trust. You will lead the finance team to support the trust’s schools in ensuring good financial management at all times and ensuring that public money is safeguarded and used appropriately, economically, efficiently and effectively.

We are looking for someone who has strong accountancy skills, with a proven track record in leading, inspiring and delivering at a leadership level, ideally with some experience in the Education Sector. You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships with Trustees, Governors and Headteachers, and be able to provide them with advice, support and challenge.

You will be expected to travel to the schools across the MAT, and for trust board/executive meetings, and will hold a clean UK driving licence.

For more information

To find out more about the trust please visitour website .

To discuss the role, or for an informal discussion, please contact Mrs Louise Bartrum on 01359 251378 ext 2100.

Completed applications are to be sent via email to Mrs Louise Bartrum at:[e-mail] .

Please do not send a CV, a covering letter is acceptable.

Closing date: 4pm, 30 January 2026.

Interview date: early February 2026.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

Statement on Child Protection and Safeguarding

The Tilian Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In our schools we create a culture of safeguarding which is the responsibility of all staff.

When applying for a post within the trust you will be subject to a safer recruitment process as follows:

If you are shortlisted, you will be required to complete a self-disclosure, which you will need to bring with you to the interview (in an envelope marked confidential).

During the interview process, the interview panel will explore your skills, experience and attitudes and the questions asked will include questions about safeguarding of children

If you accept a post within our trust you will be required to complete an enhanced DBS and undergo a Section 128 check if the role is a Leadership role.

More Information

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