Director Of Finance

Teaching Vacancies; Ash Vale; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational trust in Ash Vale seeks an exceptional Director of Finance to manage all financial aspects. The role involves strategic leadership working closely with the CEO and Board to ensure compliance and effective operation. The ideal candidate will have a professional accountancy qualification and extensive experience in financial management, particularly in multi-academy trusts. This is a pivotal role for the Trust with opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Employee benefits

Career progression opportunities

24 days annual leave (increasing to 28 after 5 years)

Workplace pension through LGPS

Qualifications

• Professional accountancy qualification is required.
• Experience in strategic financial planning and management within a multi-academy trust or complex organization.
• Extensive experience in budget leadership and financial management.
• Proven ability to identify and leverage commercial opportunities.
• Understanding of key business service policies and relevant legislation.
• Demonstrable commercial awareness and strategic thinking.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management across all financial aspects.
• Work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Ensure compliance in all areas of financial operations.

Job description

Overview

The Kite Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Director of Finance to join our ambitious Trust at an exciting and pivotal stage in our journey. With a professional accountancy qualification, strong executive experience and a proven track record of significant impact across multiple schools or complex organisations, the Director of Finance will utilise their outstanding analytical abilities, sound judgement and entrepreneurial mindset to provide strategic leadership and management across all financial aspects of the Trust’s activities.

This is a strategically significant position for the Trust. The post holder will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to ensure the Trust works effectively and efficiently towards the delivery of its mission, vision and strategic goals, and is compliant in all areas of financial operations.

We are a Trust with an aligned mission, vision and values that sit at the heart of everything we do. Whilst our schools have their own distinct identities, we believe that by working collaboratively as one Kite team, we are uniquely placed to deliver a better offer for our pupils and our people.

What we are looking for

• Has experience of strategic financial planning and management, including budget setting and income generation, in a multi-academy trust (MAT) or similarly complex organisation
• Has extensive experience in budget leadership and financial management
• Has financial leadership experience, including leadership of a business function and team of employees
• Has proven ability to identify and leverage commercial opportunities to enhance income generation
• Has working knowledge of key business service policies, practices and relevant legislation
• Can demonstratable commercial awareness and strategic thinking
• Will prioritise the promotion of our Trust mission, vision, values and one team ethos

What the school offers its staff

And in return we will offer you:

• A trust which is committed to continuously improving colleague wellbeing
• The opportunity to play a pivotal role in the Trust’s strategic design and direction
• An ever increasing range of employee benefits
• Genuine career and salary progression opportunities
• The opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking and highly driven Executive Team
• 24 days annual leave (Increasing to 28 after 5 years of service)
• Workplace pension through LGPS

Further details about the role

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, do get in touch. For an informal and confidential conversation with our CEO please contact Nicola Macbeth on 01252 984930 or [e-mail].

To apply, please complete the application form provided alongside this recruitment pack. The application form includes a supporting statement where you will be required to outline your experience in relation to the job description and person specification. Completed application forms should be submitted to [e-mail].

Application process

Closing date: Monday 29th September 2025 at 12 pm

Interviews: Thursday 9th and Friday 10th October 2025

Start: From January 2026

The Kite Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants are subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check and satisfactory employment references.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website. We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal responsibility to meet safeguarding duties.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Kite Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and social media check.