Chief Financial and Operations Officer

The Kite Academy Trust; Aldershot; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in Aldershot seeks a proactive CFOO to manage HR, Finance, Estates, and IT. This critical role involves strategic leadership, enhancing operational practices, and collaborating with the CEO to achieve the trust's objectives. Candidates should bring experience in education or a related field and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children.

Qualifications

• Experienced strategic leader with a track record in education or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the education sector and Multi-Academy Trust context.
• Ability to develop systems and processes for growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the business service functions of the trust.
• Provide expert advice and reporting to the CEO and Board.
• Drive operational improvements and strategic objectives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Communication

Team management

Financial acumen

Problem-solving

Job description

Overview

The Kite Academy Trust is a family of nine primary schools across Surrey and Hampshire. At the heart of our Trust is our commitment to working as one team, sharing our expertise to ensure every pupil receives an excellent education and an equal opportunity to thrive and succeed in life. The Trust formed in October 2015 with five schools coming together and has recently been on a rapid journey of improvement - with most schools now rated Good or Outstanding. Our talented colleague teams are fully aligned to the Trust vision for every pupil to be happy and healthy, to contribute positively to their communities and to achieve academic excellence.

We are now looking for an exceptional CFOO to work with the dedicated leaders of our business service functions - incorporating HR, Finance, Estates and IT - to ensure consistently great outcomes for our schools. In this critical role, you will have the opportunity to make a material impact on the Trust\'s future success, as you work closely with the CEO and executive team to set our strategic objectives and ensure we deliver on them. Our new CFOO will reinvigorate our functions, inspire the Trust business teams, and lead with the Trust core values of positivity, integrity, respect, resilience, aspiration at the centre of everything.

We require an experienced and proactive strategic leader to help propel us forward on our journey as a Trust. Once in post, the CFOO will play a pivotal role in providing clear and balanced expert advice and reporting to the CEO and Board of Trustees. An experienced and motivated leader of teams with impressive technical ability, you will be an astute strategic thinker with a track record of delivering on projects. Alongside this, you\'ll be a skilled communicator, comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders. Developing systems and processes for successful growth, whilst enhancing our current operational practices, will be critical.

Whether you have developed your career in education or another field, you will have a good understanding of the education sector and MAT context, as well as a passion for improving outcomes for children. If you are looking for an exciting and career-defining role within a dynamic and aspirational trust, then do get in touch for an informal and confidential conversation with our recruitment partners Propelo (01273 222 877/ [e-mail]). To find out more, or to apply, please visit: kite.our-careers.co.uk.

Closing date: Monday 29th September 2025, 12pm

Interviews: Thursday 9th and Friday 10th October

The Kite Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants are subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check and satisfactory employment references. As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)