Chief Finance Officer

Derby City Council; Derby; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational trust in Derby is seeking a Chief Finance Officer responsible for financial management and strategic development. This position calls for strong leadership and financial expertise to support educational initiatives. Your role will greatly influence the educational experience of children across the trust and requires a commitment to safeguarding and integrity. A competitive salary and employee benefits are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Employee benefits

Key leadership role

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial management.
• Commitment to supporting and improving schools.
• Strong collaborative relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial expertise ensuring effective resource use.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues.
• Be proactive in Trust’s activities.

Skills

Financial expertise

Excellent communication

Inter-personal skills

Integrity and moral purpose

Job description

Overview

We are looking to appoint a new Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to our seven school trust. The CFO will be a pivotal member of the Central Team and will have overall responsibility for the financial management of the Trust. The CFO will work alongside other senior leaders in the strategic development of the Trust.

Odyssey Collaborative Trust is a group of five primary and two junior schools, all within the City of Derby. We educate 2,111 pupils and employ 351 staff. We aim to be a Trust where pupils thrive, our colleagues thrive and our community thrives. You can find out more about the trust through the CEO’s welcome and the vision and culture sections of our website.

The Trust has a turnover of around £17m. We pool reserves, but not General Allocation Grant Income. Schools have School Business Managers who work closely with the CFO.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial expertise ensuring the Trust uses its resources effectively to deliver on our thrive vision
• Build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues across the Trust
• Be a proactive part of the Trust’s activities and be fully committed to supporting and improving all schools in the Trust
• Demonstrate excellent communication and inter-personal skills, with a high level of integrity and strong moral purpose that aligns closely with the ethos of the school and the Trust

We offer you

• A key leadership role in a well-managed and financially sustainable Trust
• The opportunity to make a significant difference to the education of children across Derby
• The opportunity to work alongside a dedicated and committed Central Team that values its staff and fosters positive relationships across the Trust
• A competitive salary and a range of employee benefits

Odyssey Collaborative Trust is fully committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We have rigorous recruitment procedures that are designed to stop unsuitable candidates for being appointed. As the post is in regulated activity, the successful candidate will require enhanced DBS clearance and references will be taken before interview. Odyssey Collaborative Trust is committed to equality of opportunity in employment and services.

We are keen to give candidates a chance to find out more about the role, please contact our CEO, Ian Dewes on 07708 475 638 or [e-mail].

To apply, please complete the attached Application form and return it to [e-mail].

The closing date for this vacancy is 29 September 2025 at midday. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.

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