Interim Finance Director

Sewell Wallis Ltd; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable education provider in Sheffield seeks an Interim Finance Director for a six-month fixed-term contract. This role requires experienced financial leadership, overseeing a finance team, managing budgets, and ERP system development. The ideal candidate will possess qualifications such as ACCA, ACA, or CIMA and have experience in the education sector. A competitive salary of up to £90,000 and hybrid working are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Private healthcare

Matched pension contributions

Hybrid working arrangement

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a finance team of eight.
• Oversee the ERP system change and development.
• Prepare a comprehensive handover for the incoming permanent Finance Director.
• Lead the annual budget setting and financial planning.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders for budget control.
• Analyze P&L performance and provide strategic insights.
• Manage the year-end close process and liaise with auditors.
• Ensure financial controls are in place.

Skills

Experience working with a Trust

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / ACA / CIMA)

Leadership with ethical style

Team management skills

Communication and stakeholder engagement

Financial acumen

Budgeting experience in education sector

Job description

Sewell Wallis is excited to partner with a reputable education provider in Sheffield to recruit an Interim Finance Director for a six-month fixed-term contract.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Finance Director or CFO to provide crucial financial leadership and support to the senior leadership team within a South Yorkshire Multi‑Academy Trust, which includes primary, secondary, sixth form, and a unique post‑16 provision.

As Interim Finance Director, you'll play a key role in guiding the organisation through year‑end processes, taking ownership of the annual budget setting, managing a finance team of eight, and ensuring a seamless transition for the incoming permanent hire, expected around Easter. Additionally, you'll oversee critical developments in the organisation's ERP systems, making prior experience with ERP transitions or implementations highly desirable.

What will you be doing?

• Leading and managing a finance team of eight, ensuring effective workflow and team cohesion.
• Overseeing the change and development of the ERP system, supporting key process improvements.
• Preparing a detailed and comprehensive handover for the incoming permanent Finance Director.
• Leading the annual budget setting process and financial planning for the organisation.
• Collaborating with senior stakeholders to ensure effective budgetary control and informed decision‑making.
• Analysing P&L performance and providing strategic insights to the Board and Senior Leadership Team.
• Managing the year‑end close process and liaising with external auditors.
• Ensuring robust financial controls are in place and adhered to throughout the organisation.

What skills are we looking for?

• Experience working with a Trust is essential.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / ACA / CIMA).
• Proven experience in leadership with a transparent, ethical leadership style.
• Strong team management and people leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• In‑depth financial acumen with a focus on strategic analysis and budgeting.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting and financial planning within the education sector.

What's on offer?

• Immediate start with a six‑month fixed‑term contract.
• Competitive salary of up to £90,000 (pro‑rate) or equivalent day rate.
• Private healthcare.
• Matched pension contributions.
• Hybrid working arrangement.

If you're an experienced finance leader looking for a fulfilling interim role within the education sector, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your CV below or contact Inci Evcil for more information.

To apply please send your CV, quoting our reference and specifying which website you saw this position advertised on. Due to the high volume of applications please accept that if we have not responded to your application within seven days, your application has not been successful.