Senior Finance Manager

Haberdashers' Elstree Schools; Potters Bar; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to manage financial operations at Lochinver House School. You will ensure compliance, provide financial advice, lead budgeting, and implement financial controls. The ideal candidate is a qualified accountant with substantial experience in educational or charity settings. This role offers a competitive salary and professional development opportunities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Benefits

Private pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Professional development opportunities

Onsite parking

Complimentary lunches

Staff benefits platform

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial operations ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Provide financial advice to Headteacher and Governors.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Model scenarios for pay and fee proposals.
• Manage billing, bursary applications, and debt control.
• Oversee capital expenditure and VAT applications.
• Support the Finance Manager at Lochinver House School.
• Implement improvements in financial controls.

Skills

Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or ACA)

Strong technical knowledge of financial management

Excellent analytical skills

High-level proficiency in Excel and accounting software

Outstanding communication skills

Education

At least three years post-qualification experience

Tools

Excel

Job description

Senior Finance Manager – Lochinver House School

Location: Split between Potters Bar, Elstree, and some remote working

Contract: Fixed term, 6–9 months

Hours: 3 or 4 days per week

Reports to: CFOO, Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools

About this Role

Lochinver House School is a thriving independent preparatory school situated in Little Heath on the outskirts of Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Educating pupils aged 3 to 13, the school has a proud tradition of academic and pastoral excellence. In September 2025, Lochinver House joined the Haberdashers’ Elstree family of schools, marking an exciting new chapter in its development.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Finance Manager to oversee all financial operations at Lochinver House School. This interim role is pivotal in ensuring robust financial management during a period of transition, providing strategic insight, operational excellence, and trusted leadership across all aspects of finance.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified finance professional to contribute meaningfully to a leading preparatory school and the wider Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools community.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the financial operations of Lochinver House School, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across all finance processes.
• Provide clear financial advice and analysis to the Headteacher, Governors, and the Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools’ senior team.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, producing management accounts and annual financial statements.
• Model scenarios for pay and fee proposals, long-term planning, and potential strategic developments.
• Manage billing, bursary applications, donations, and debt control with professionalism and sensitivity.
• Oversee capital expenditure and VAT applications.
• Support and provide coverage for the Finance Manager at Lochinver House School.
• Develop and implement improvements in financial controls, reporting, and efficiency.

About You

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or ACA) with at least three years’ post-qualification experience and a proven track record of leading a finance function, ideally within a charity, education, or similar setting.

You will have:

• Strong technical knowledge of financial management, regulations, and reporting standards.
• Excellent analytical skills, with experience in scenario modelling and financial forecasting.
• High-level proficiency in Excel and accounting software.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and advise at all levels.
• A calm, methodical approach to debt management and parent communications.
• The ability to work independently, managing priorities and deadlines with initiative and professionalism.

What We Offer

• We offer a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, alongside a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing and professional growth:
• Private pension scheme with generous employer contributions.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing confidential advice and wellbeing support.
• Extensive professional development opportunities.
• Free onsite parking and access to travel via the school’s coach network.
• Complimentary lunches and refreshments during term time.
• Access to Vivup, our staff benefits platform offering discounts, financial advice, and wellbeing resources.

Be Part of an Exciting New Chapter

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in strengthening the financial foundations of Lochinver House School as it embarks on its journey within the Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools family.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Please apply as soon as possible.

Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.