Senior Schools Finance Partner - Hybrid, Impactful Education

Reading Borough Council; Reading; Híbrido; GBP 52.000 - 63.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Generous annual leave entitlement

Hybrid working opportunities

LGPS pension

Life Assurance for LGPS members

Modern Civic Offices in Reading

On-site nursery provision

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Descripción de la vacante

Reading Borough Council is recruiting a Finance Business Partner - School Lead to head schools finance support, working with maintained schools to ensure strong financial management and outcomes for children and young people.

The role involves strategic finance leadership across schools, budget setting, forecasting and reporting, with hybrid working from Civic Offices and schools. The ideal candidate will have CCAB qualifications and significant school finance experience.

Formación

• A recognised professional financial qualification (CCAB or equivalent).
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Five years' experience in a School Business Manager role or equivalent local authority school finance position.
• Experience supporting schools through financial challenges and recovery planning.
• Experience in business partnering and influencing financial decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of school funding, legislation and statutory financial frameworks.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including year-end processes.
• Experience managing budgets within a complex organisation.
• Excellent financial analysis, forecasting and reporting skills.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to provide constructive challenge.
• A proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach.

Responsabilidades

• Build relationships with headteachers, governors and school finance staff to promote effective financial management.
• Support schools with budget setting, forecasting, monitoring and financial planning.
• Provide expert advice on school funding, statutory requirements and the Scheme for Financing Schools.
• Support schools with financial difficulties, including those with licensed deficits.
• Lead the Local Authority's financial support role where delegated authority has been removed from a school.
• Identify financial risks, trends and opportunities and support early intervention.
• Lead and develop the Orovia-based school budget planning tool.
• Deliver financial training for governors, headteachers and SBMs.
• Facilitate school finance forums, SBM networks and engagement events.
• Prepare and present financial reports for Schools' Forum and other stakeholders.
• Support month-end, year-end and statutory reporting processes.
• Lead SRMA reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage and develop the SLA offer to schools.
• Lead independent reviews of School Fund accounts.
• Line manage SBMs and casual School Business Managers.
• Promote governance, financial control and best practice in Reading schools.

Conocimientos

Stakeholder management

Communication & presentation

Financial analysis & forecasting

Advanced Excel & modelling

Financial governance & controls

Educación

CCAB or equivalent

Herramientas

Orovia

Descripción del empleo

Reading Borough Council is recruiting a Finance Business Partner - School Lead to head schools finance support, working with maintained schools to ensure strong financial management and outcomes for children and young people.

The role involves strategic finance leadership across schools, budget setting, forecasting and reporting, with hybrid working from Civic Offices and schools. The ideal candidate will have CCAB qualifications and significant school finance experience.