Financial Controller

Shaw Education Trust; Newcastle-under-Lyme; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Govt Pension Scheme

Medicash Plan

Cycle to work

Eye tests

Discount for Teachers

Holiday entitlement

Institute of Education access

Job summary

Shaw Education Trust is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to join our Finance team on an interim basis, supporting a new leadership structure and the ongoing development of our Trust-wide financial function. The role requires a professionally qualified accountant with strong technical accounting experience, including financial controls, statutory reporting, compliance, and audit.

You will lead and develop finance colleagues, work autonomously, and collaborate with senior leaders,

Qualifications

• Professional qualified accountant with strong technical accounting experience.
• Experience in multi-site organisations.
• Strong governance, audit and statutory reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop finance colleagues and build effective relationships with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Ensure robust financial controls and governance across the Trust.
• Provide financial leadership to shape an effective finance function and support strategic decisions.

Skills

Financial controls

Audit

Statutory reporting

Governance

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Shaw Education Trust is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to join our Finance team on an interim basis in the first instance, working within a new leadership structure and supporting the continued development of our Trust-wide financial function.

This is a key senior finance role for a professionally qualified accountant with strong technical accounting experience, ideally gained within a complex, multi-site organisation. You will bring a strong understanding of financial controls, statutory reporting, compliance, audit and financial systems, alongside the ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and strengthen financial governance.

We are looking for someone who is confident, analytical and solutions-focused, with the ability to lead and develop finance colleagues, work autonomously and build effective relationships with senior leaders, schools, Trustees, auditors and external stakeholders.

If you are an experienced finance professional who can make an immediate impact, provide strong financial leadership and help shape an effective and robust finance function, we would be keen to hear from you.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values—opportunity, integrity, community, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Contract type: FTC, until 31st January 2027

Location: SET Head Office, based at the Kidsgrove Secondary School site, with hybrid working available where appropriate. The role may also require regular visits to Trust schools and other locations as required.