Chief Finance & Operations Officer

John Taylor Mat; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

John Taylor School seeks a senior leader to direct its business services, aligning finance, estates, HR, IT and data protection with the trust's strategy. This role shapes financial and operational direction while ensuring statutory compliance and impact across the organization.

The post requires a fully qualified accountant with a demonstrated record of senior leadership. Hybrid working requires at least three days on site and occasional evening meetings during the year.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with substantial leadership experience.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into actionable plans and delivery.
• Deep understanding of statutory/regulatory requirements in education/governance.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for business services, aligning resources and people to strategic objectives.
• Lead and oversee the financial sustainability of business services.
• Lead and oversee the operational effectiveness of business services.
• Oversee the portfolio of finance, estates, HR, IT and data protection.
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance across the trust.
• Lead at scale across the trust.
• Translate strategy into action through hands-on operational work.
• Lead the directors of functions who report to the post.
• Attend evening meetings throughout the year.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Regulatory compliance

Detail orientation

Education

Fully qualified accountant

Job description

This senior post at John Taylor School leads the finance, estates, HR, IT and data protection functions across the trust's business services. The role sets the financial and operational direction, aligning money and people to strategic goals while keeping statutory compliance in hand. Hybrid working needs at least three days on site, plus evening meetings through the year. Applicants must be fully qualified accountants with a strong record of senior leadership, and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Set the strategic direction for business services, aligning resources and people to strategic objectives
• Lead and oversee the financial sustainability of business services
• Lead and oversee the operational effectiveness of business services
• Oversee the portfolio of finance, estates, HR, IT and data protection
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance across the trust
• Lead at scale across the trust
• Translate strategy into action through hands-on operational work
• Lead the directors of functions who report to the post
• Attend evening meetings throughout the year

What's required

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant

Experience

• Strong track record of strategic and operational leadership at senior level

Skills & knowledge

• Commercial acumen and sound judgement
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build credibility and influence
• Strategic and creative thinking combined with hands-on delivery
• In-depth knowledge of statutory and regulatory compliance
• Rigorous attention to detail

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check
• Right to work in the UK

Other

• Embodies the JTMAT values