Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Point 13 Jobs; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced maternity pay

Employee assistance programme

On-site health checks

Wellbeing events

Car parking

Free eye tests

Salary sacrifice schemes

Job summary

Horsham Learning Alliance seeks a Chief Financial and Operating Officer to lead professional services across the Trust. You will work with the CEO on strategic development, manage major projects, and ensure financial sustainability while maintaining strong internal controls.

The role includes overseeing procurement and data security, with a focus on performance and regulatory compliance. Based at the Horsham Learning Alliance Head Office, the post requires leadership across finance, operations

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with a recognised professional accountancy qualification.
• Proven leadership and management experience.
• Track record in finance and resource management at senior level.
• Experience with budget management and forecasting.
• Knowledge of data management and system implementation.
• Commercial awareness and value-for-money focus.
• Experience delivering and managing multiple projects.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Strategic development with the CEO and deployment of resources.
• Oversee major projects including academy conversions and capital investments.
• Ensure long-term financial sustainability and budget management.
• Develop robust internal controls and large procurement processes.
• Drive operational efficiency with KPI reviews.
• Lead risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee statutory accounts and external audits.
• Coordinate with HR on recruitment strategy.
• Manage the data environment and cyber risk compliance.
• Prepare trustee papers for the Board and committees.

Skills

Qualified accountant

Leadership

Budget management

Data management

Commercial awareness

Project delivery

MS Office

Communication

Initiative

Flexibility

Education

Professional accountancy qualification (CIPFA/CIMA/ACCA/ACA)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Horsham Learning Alliance is a local multi-academy trust aiming to enhance educational outcomes through close collaboration and transformational learning. The Trust is at a pivotal stage in its journey and is now seeking a Chief Financial and Operating Officer to ensure the delivery of cohesive, efficient and effective professional services across the Trust.

Key Responsibilities

• Working closely with the CEO on the strategic development of the Trust, ensuring the best possible deployment of resources.
• Developing digital and business transformations, supporting the CEO to manage major projects, including academy conversions, capital investments and infrastructure developments.
• Ensuring long-term financial sustainability and alignment with educational priorities, overseeing budget preparations, forecasting and funding requirements.
• Developing robust internal control systems and overseeing all large procurement and tendering processes.
• Driving operational efficiency and ensuring regular performance and KPI reviews are in place.
• Leading on effective risk management and regularly reviewing policies and financial controls to ensure compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks.
• Overseeing the preparation of statutory accounts and external audits.
• Managing the HR Director to ensure a consistent approach to recruitment.
• Taking overall responsibility for the data environment, including cyber risk management and compliance with data protection legislation.
• Working with the CEO and Director of Governance to prepare relevant papers for the Trust Board and its committees and attending meetings.

Skills and Experience

• Qualified accountant with a recognised professional accountancy qualification (e.g. CIPFA, CIMA, ACCA or ACA).
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate multi-functional teams.
• Track record of finance and resource management and planning at a senior level in an organisation.
• Experience of budget management and monitoring, with strong interpretational skills and the ability to analyse and provide commentary on financial data.
• Knowledge of data management and system implementation.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to achieve value for money.
• Experience delivering and managing multiple projects, ensuring they meet financial targets.
• Competent and confident in using Microsoft Office.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Self-directing and able to use your own initiative to make decisions.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to prioritise appropriately.
• Enhanced maternity and sickness pay schemes.
• Employee assistance programme offering access to a range of resources, including legal advice, counselling, and a 24-hour helpline for wellbeing support for members of staff and their families.
• Access to relaxation massages, free on-site health checks, Walking for Health and staff wellbeing events.
• Car park for staff use (subject to availability).
• Concessionary rates for adult education evening courses at the College of Richard Collyer.
• Free use of the College's sports facilities.
• Free eye tests.
• Salary sacrifice schemes.

Salary: £95,000 – £105,000 per year, dependent on experience.

Location: Horsham Learning Alliance Head Office, Horsham, with some travel to schools in the Trust and the possibility of flexibility to work from home.

Closing date: Noon on 14 September 2026.