Chief Financial & Operating Officer

Horsham Learning Alliance; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Horsham Learning Alliance is seeking a Chief Financial & Operating Officer to join the Executive Team in Horsham, West Sussex, with travel across the Trust and some home-working flexibility.

The role reports to the CEO and oversees Finance, Procurement, HR, IT, Marketing and major transformation projects, budgeting around £28 million and a ~20 FTE team.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership and financial stewardship required at senior level.
• Experience leading multi-functional teams and delivering strategic objectives.
• Strong planning, budgeting, analysis and reporting capabilities.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer for the Trust.
• Lead the Trust's financial strategy, planning, forecasting and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee the delivery of shared professional services across Finance, Procurement, HR, IT, Marketing and capital projects.
• Lead effective risk management, internal controls, audit and compliance arrangements.
• Support academy growth, Trust expansion, academy conversions and business transformation programmes.
• Oversee major procurement activities and ensure value for money across the organisation.
• Act as a principal point of contact for external stakeholders including the Department for Education, Local Authorities, Charity Commission, auditors and legal advisers.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the CEO, Trustees, Governors and school leaders.
• Oversee the financial management of The Collyer Endowment charity.
• Drive operational excellence while ensuring resources are focused on securing the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial leadership

Governance & compliance

Stakeholder communication

Commercial awareness

Education

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

Job description

Salary: £95,000-£105,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Location: Horsham, West Sussex (with travel across the Trust and some flexibility for home working)

Contract: Full Time

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

About us

Horsham Learning Alliance (HLA) is a newly established, locally-led multi-academy trust founded by The College of Richard Collyer and The Forest School. Built on a shared commitment to improving the lives of young people through educational excellence and collaboration, HLA is entering an exciting phase of growth and development.

This is a rare opportunity to join the Executive Team of a new trust and play a leading role in shaping its future direction, culture and impact.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional strategic leader to become our Chief Financial & Operating Officer.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be a key member of the Executive Team, helping to shape the strategic development of the Trust and ensuring the effective deployment of resources to deliver our educational priorities. You will lead high-quality professional services across the organisation and play a pivotal role in supporting the Trust's long-term sustainability and growth.

This is a broad and influential role with responsibility for a budget of approximately £28 million and leadership of a professional services team of around 20 FTE. You will oversee Finance, Procurement, HR, IT, Marketing, risk management and major transformation projects, ensuring services are efficient, effective and aligned to the needs of our schools and students.

Key Responsibilities

• Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer for the Trust.
• Lead the Trust's financial strategy, planning, forecasting and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee the delivery of shared professional services across Finance, Procurement, HR, IT, Marketing and capital projects.
• Lead effective risk management, internal controls, audit and compliance arrangements.
• Support academy growth, Trust expansion, academy conversions and business transformation programmes.
• Oversee major procurement activities and ensure value for money across the organisation.
• Act as a principal point of contact for external stakeholders including the Department for Education, Local Authorities, Charity Commission, auditors and legal advisers.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the CEO, Trustees, Governors and school leaders.
• Oversee the financial management of The Collyer Endowment charity.
• Drive operational excellence while ensuring resources are focused on securing the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and collaborative leader who combines strategic vision with strong operational and financial expertise.

You will have:

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• A successful track record of financial and resource leadership at a senior level within a complex organisation.
• Experience leading multi-functional teams and delivering strategic objectives.
• Strong financial planning, budgeting, analysis and reporting expertise.
• Experience of risk management, governance and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.
• Strong commercial awareness and a proven ability to deliver value for money.
• Experience of education, academy trust, charity or public sector finance would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a CFOO position.

It is an opportunity to help shape an ambitious new multi-academy trust from the ground up, working alongside the CEO, Trustees and school and college leaders to build an organisation that delivers lasting impact for children, young people and the wider community.

If you are a values-driven leader looking for a role that combines strategic influence, organisational leadership and genuine purpose, we would love to hear from you.

Safeguarding Statement

Horsham Learning Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check.