Strategic CFO for a Values-Driven Education Trust

Diocese Of Salisbury Academy Trust; Salisbury; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the next stage of the Trust’s development. You will be a trusted strategic adviser to the CEO and Trustees, turning complex financial information into clear insights and challenging but constructive guidance.

You will lead the Trust’s financial and stewardship strategy across a diverse family of schools, ensuring strong governance, financial

Qualifications

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification and current professional membership, and/or the CIPFA Level 7 qualification.
• Significant senior financial leadership experience within a large, complex or multi-site organisation.
• Strong expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, risk, audit and financial governance.
• The confidence to provide clear, independent and appropriately challenging advice.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to develop high-performing teams.
• A commitment to public service and to the Trust’s Christian vision, values and inclusive ethos.
• Experience within the academy or wider education sector would be valuable, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust’s financial and stewardship strategy across a diverse family of schools.
• Advise the CEO and Trustees, shaping major decisions and long-term planning.
• Ensure high standards of financial governance, control and resilience.
• Develop organisational capability and modernise financial systems and processes.
• Travel across Wiltshire and Dorset; some home working.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Treasury

Budgeting

Forecasting

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Independent judgement

Team leadership

Public service ethos

Education

Accountancy qualification

CIPFA Level 7 qualification

Job description

The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the next stage of the Trust’s development. You will be a trusted strategic adviser to the CEO and Trustees, turning complex financial information into clear insights and challenging but constructive guidance.

You will lead the Trust’s financial and stewardship strategy across a diverse family of schools, ensuring strong governance, financial