Head of Finance

Teaching Vacancies; Orpington; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational trust in Orpington is looking for a qualified finance professional to lead its finance function. This role involves managing budgets, providing financial analysis, and supporting schools financially. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, experience in financial leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The position offers a hybrid working model and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Local government pension scheme

Wellbeing day

Employee assistance programme

Flu vaccine

Qualifications

• Experience in financial leadership within education or the public sector.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Trust’s finance function.
• Develop and monitor budgets and financial plans.
• Provide high-quality financial analysis to senior leaders.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strong analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Team leadership

Proactive approach

Education

Qualified finance professional (AAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

What skills and experience we're looking for

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Trust’s finance function, ensuring compliance with ESFA and statutory requirements.
• Develop and monitor budgets, forecasts, and financial plans aligned with strategic priorities.
• Provide high-quality financial analysis and reporting to senior leaders and trustees.
• Oversee payroll, procurement, and financial systems to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
• Support schools with financial guidance and training to build capacity and consistency.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making and risk management at Trust level.
• Line manage a high-performing Finance team.

About You

• We’re looking for a qualified finance professional (AAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with:
• Experience in financial leadership within education or the public sector.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate financial information clearly.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills.
• We’re open to candidates earlier in their careers who demonstrate strong potential, ambition, and the right mindset to grow into the role.

What the school offers its staff

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a forward-thinking Trust with a strong collaborative ethos.
• Influence financial strategy at a senior level.
• Enjoy a supportive working environment with opportunities for professional growth.
• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and communities.
• Hybrid working model striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working.
• Employee benefits including local government pension scheme, wellbeing day, employee assistance programme, flu vaccine and more!

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification; Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS); medical; online and social media; prohibition from teaching; right to work; satisfactory references; suitability to work with children. You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.