Chief Financial Officer

Diocese Of Salisbury Academy Trust; Salisbury; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the next stage of the Trust’s development. You will be a trusted strategic adviser to the CEO and Trustees, turning complex financial information into clear insights and challenging but constructive guidance.

You will lead the Trust’s financial and stewardship strategy across a diverse family of schools, ensuring strong governance, financial

Qualifications

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification and current professional membership, and/or the CIPFA Level 7 qualification.
• Significant senior financial leadership experience within a large, complex or multi-site organisation.
• Strong expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, risk, audit and financial governance.
• The confidence to provide clear, independent and appropriately challenging advice.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to develop high-performing teams.
• A commitment to public service and to the Trust’s Christian vision, values and inclusive ethos.
• Experience within the academy or wider education sector would be valuable, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust’s financial and stewardship strategy across a diverse family of schools.
• Advise the CEO and Trustees, shaping major decisions and long-term planning.
• Ensure high standards of financial governance, control and resilience.
• Develop organisational capability and modernise financial systems and processes.
• Travel across Wiltshire and Dorset; some home working.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Treasury

Budgeting

Forecasting

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Independent judgement

Team leadership

Public service ethos

Education

Accountancy qualification

CIPFA Level 7 qualification

Job description

Help shape the future of our thriving, values-led family of schools.

The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the next stage of the Trust’s development.

This is much more than a traditional finance role. As our CFO, you will be a trusted strategic adviser to the CEO and Trustees, helping to shape major decisions, strengthen our financial resilience and ensure that our resources make the greatest possible difference to children and young people.

You will lead the Trust’s financial and stewardship strategy across a diverse family of schools, bringing clarity, insight and ambition to long-term planning, investment and organisational growth. You will also ensure that we maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship, governance and control.

We are looking for a financially astute and values-driven leader who can combine professional rigour with commercial awareness and excellent judgement. You will be able to turn complex financial information into clear strategic advice, challenge constructively and build strong relationships with trustees, school leaders and colleagues across the Trust.

You will bring:

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification and current professional membership, and/or the CIPFA Level 7 qualification, consistent with the Academy Trust Handbook 2026 expectations for larger trusts.
• Significant senior financial leadership experience within a large, complex or multi-site organisation.
• Strong expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, risk, audit and financial governance.
• The confidence to provide clear, independent and appropriately challenging advice.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to develop high-performing teams.
• A commitment to public service and to the Trust’s Christian vision, values and inclusive ethos.

Experience within the academy or wider education sector would be valuable, but it is not essential. Of greater importance is your ability to bring strategic insight, integrity and a genuine commitment to using financial leadership to improve opportunities and outcomes for children.

At DSAT, you will join an ambitious and supportive organisation where your expertise will be valued and your contribution will be visible. You will have the opportunity to influence Trust-wide strategy, modernise financial systems and processes, develop organisational capability and help secure a sustainable future for our schools.

The role will largely be based in our attractive office accommodation in Wilton, near Salisbury, with the need for some travel across Wiltshire and Dorset, and the opportunity for some home working. We offer free parking and a number of staff benefits that can be viewed on our website.

The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.