Director of Finance

ESHER COLLEGE; England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is looking for a Director of Finance. This role involves shaping financial strategy and leading a high-performance finance team while ensuring operational oversight. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with leadership experience in finance, capable of managing risk and compliance. This strategic position also offers flexibility with term-time work, generous leave options, and a chance to influence young people's futures within an established academy trust.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Staff wellbeing initiatives

On-site facilities

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with strategic and operational finance experience.
• Comfortable with budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Experience leading finance teams and managing risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy, planning, and compliance including budgeting and forecasting.
• Oversee financial operations and ensure legal compliance.
• Lead an established finance team and manage stakeholder relations.

Skills

Leadership experience in finance

Budgeting expertise

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA or Equivalent)

Job description

Shape strategy. Lead Change. Add value

Are you a Finance Leader who thrives on strategic responsibility while staying close to the numbers? Are you looking for a Senior Leadership Role in Finance that values your expertise and your Work Life Balance.

Esher Sixth Form College is a 16 to 19 Single Academy Trust seeking a Director of Finance. A key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) who will lead and develop our finance function while maintaining the hands‑on operational oversight required in a thriving standalone institution.

You’ll be working across the College’s SLT and Academy Trust, reporting into the Principal, to ensure our financial sustainability and support key decisions about estates, capital development and risk. Your experience can make a genuine difference to an outstanding, values‑led 16 to 19 education provider.

Why This Role, Why Now

• Be part of something meaningful. You'll have a direct hand in decisions that impact the future of young people and the strength of our community.
• Enjoy flexibility. The role is offered term-time + 3 weeks (10 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per year), ideal for someone looking for better balance without sacrificing leadership responsibility.
• Lead with autonomy and clarity. You’ll report directly to the Principal, shape financial strategy, and advise the College’s SLT, offering the scope to influence, with the scale to stay hands‑on.
• Step into a respected and stable organisation. We’re a standalone 16 to 19 Single Academy Trust with strong financial foundations, high student outcomes, and a collaborative culture.

What we're looking for

You will be a qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA or Equivalent) with the credibility, clarity and confidence to lead our finance function at a strategic and operational level. You understand how to manage risk, lead a team, and deliver financial clarity in a complex organisation.

You are comfortable with both the big picture and the detail, you will lead budgeting, forecasting and reporting, while overseeing a small, high‑performing team.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the College’s financial strategy, planning and compliance, from budgeting and forecasting to statutory returns and audit.
• Oversee financial operations – including payroll, pensions, procurement, contracted services, internal and board reporting, ensuring everything runs smoothly and meets all legal and regulatory standards.
• Lead an established finance team while working closely with senior leaders, governors and external stakeholders.
• Provide strategic oversight of our estates and capital projects, health and safety and environmental sustainability, working on projects, compliance and funding bids.
• Bring clarity and insight to financial information for non‑finance colleagues and boards, translating complexity into confident decision‑making.

We’re particularly interested in someone who has:

• Leadership experience in a senior finance role within an SME where you’ve had to balance strategic input with hands‑on delivery.
• Expertise in budgeting, contract negotiation, forecasting, management reporting and statutory accounts.
• Strategic oversight of health and safety and environmental sustainability.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are essential, alongside a values‑driven approach that aligns with our college values of Inclusion, Community and Empowerment.
• The desire to apply your skills in an organisation where you’ll be valued, visible and involved.

Why join us:

• The flexibility to work term‑time plus 3 weeks (42 weeks per year) (10 weeks holiday plus bank holidays).
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, recognised as one of the most generous on the market.
• Generous annual leave, staff wellbeing initiatives, and access to on‑site facilities.
• A high‑performing and financially stable Sixth Form College with ambitious plans and strong community ties.
• A genuine leadership role with visibility, voice and impact – from Day One helping to shape the futures of our students.

About Esher Sixth Form College

Esher Sixth Form College is an extremely successful, non‑selective Sixth Form College situated in Thames Ditton, near Hampton Court, Surrey.

We are one of the few colleges in the country to achieve ‘Outstanding’ in all areas of our last two full Ofsted inspections and have a reputation for delivering exceptional results. We pride ourselves on creating a friendly and dynamic atmosphere for all students and staff.

Closing date: Monday 26 January 2026.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is our highest priority. All appointments are subject to rigorous safer recruitment checks, including enhanced DBS clearance, online searches, and satisfactory references. We require candidates to explain any employment gaps and provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.