Chief Financial Officer

Fallibroome; Dean Row; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

A Multi-Academy Trust is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead financial strategy and operations across its schools. The ideal candidate is a qualified accountant with leadership experience in finance and a passion for education. Competitive salary, pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development are offered. Join us to make a difference in young people's lives.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous pension scheme

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in finance, ideally in education or non-profit sectors.
• Experience managing complex budgets and large-scale contracts.
• Commitment to the values of education.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of financial strategy, planning, compliance, and reporting.
• Oversee financial operations across multiple academies.
• Provide insightful analysis for strategic decision-making.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Budget management

Communication skills

Stakeholder influence

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Establishment: Halliard Trust (previously The Fallibroome Trust) Location: Macclesfield Salary: 75000 Department: Leadership Job Type: Full Time

Closing Date: 16/10/2025 Interview Date: 21/10/2025 Start Date: TBC

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join our ambitious and growing Multi-Academy Trust, comprising 11 schools across Cheshire.

About Us

The Halliard Trust is committed to delivering outstanding educational outcomes and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. We foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across all our schools.

The Role

As CFO, you will be a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic direction and leadership across all financial and commercial aspects of the Trust. You will be responsible for:

• Leading on all aspects of financial strategy, planning, compliance, and reporting
• Overseeing financial operations across all 11 academies and the central team, ensuring robust and sustainable budgeting
• Providing insightful analysis and advice to support strategic decision-making
• Managing contracts and procurement, ensuring value for money and effective supplier relationships
• Leading on risk management and ensuring compliance with ESFA and DfE regulations
• Line managing and developing a high-performing finance team
• Overseeing the Trust's commercial contract management
• Overseeing the Trust's Facilities and Health & Safety function

About You

We are looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant leadership experience in finance-ideally in the education, public, or not-for-profit sectors. You will be:

• A strategic thinker with a strong commercial acumen
• A confident communicator, able to influence at all levels including Trustees and external stakeholders
• Experienced in managing complex budgets and large-scale contracts
• Committed to the values of education and making a difference in young people's lives
• Experience within the education sector or a Multi-Academy Trust is desirable but not essential

Why Join Us?

• An opportunity to play a pivotal role in a successful and values-driven Trust
• Collaborative and supportive leadership team
• Competitive salary and generous pension scheme
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

To Apply:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Jeremy Spencer, CEO, via his PA, Alison Nuttall.

The Halliard Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants for all posts will be subject to vetting checks. The successful candidate will be subject to stringent vetting procedures, including an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and we will carry out online searches.