Educational Trust Finance and Operations Manager

Enhance Academy Trust; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Enhance Academy Trust in Wakefield is seeking a Trust Business Manager to oversee the business operations across its academies. The role focuses on financial planning, budgeting, and robust governance while coordinating HR, estates, and facilities to support schools.

You will work with school leaders and central teams to develop policies, ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute to strategic planning for high-quality education delivery.

Qualifications

• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in an education or public sector context.
• Experience in business operations, including HR administration, procurement, and contract management.
• Knowledge of compliance, governance, and regulatory requirements relevant to multi-academy trusts or similar organisations.
• Excellent organisational, planning, and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail and the capacity to manage multiple priorities.
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with leaders, staff, and external partners.
• Proficiency in using office and management information systems, including spreadsheets, financial software, and collaborative tools.
• Relevant professional qualification in finance, business administration, or school business management (e.g., AAT, CSBM, DSBM) is highly beneficial.
• Experience working in an educational environment or multi-site organisation, demonstrating a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial planning and budgeting across the trust and academies.
• Monitor expenditure and support robust financial governance.
• Coordinate HR, estates, and facilities functions to align with priorities.
• Collaborate with school leaders and central teams to develop policies and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

HR administration

Procurement

Contract management

Governance & compliance

Stakeholder communications

Education

AAT / CSBM / DSBM

Tools

Spreadsheets

Financial software

MIS systems

Job description

Enhance Academy Trust in Wakefield is seeking a Trust Business Manager to oversee the business operations across its academies. The role focuses on financial planning, budgeting, and robust governance while coordinating HR, estates, and facilities to support schools.

You will work with school leaders and central teams to develop policies, ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute to strategic planning for high-quality education delivery.