Trust Finance Manager
Hatton Academies Trust
Don’t send a generic resume — generate a resume and cover letter tailored to this exact role.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Hatton Academies Trust seeks a Trust Finance Manager to lead the finance function from its Wellingborough base. You will oversee a dedicated finance team, shape financial strategy, and ensure robust governance, reporting and compliance across the Trust’s academies.
You will report to the Director of Finance and Operations, providing insightful financial information to senior leaders and Trustees while driving continuous improvement and staff development within the team.
Qualifications
- CCAB qualified accountant with significant experience in financial management.
- Proven track record of leading and developing finance teams.
- Strong ability to analyse, report and advise senior stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Lead the finance function and manage the Central Services Team.
- Develop robust financial systems, governance, and reporting.
- Provide high-quality financial information to academy leaders and Trustees.
Skills
Education
Job description
Based at Trust Headquarters, Orchard House, 79 Gold Street, Wellingborough, NN8 4EQ
37 Hours per Week, Full Time, 52 Weeks (with generous annual leave allowance)
NJC Scale Points 38-43 (£49,282 to £54,495) Pay award pending
Help shape the future of education through exceptional financial and people leadership.
At Hatton Academies Trust, every financial decision ultimately supports one goal: providing the very best education and opportunities for our pupils. We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Trust Finance Manager to join our Central Services Team and play a key role in leading our finance function and supporting the continued development of our finance team.
At the heart of this role is people leadership. We are looking for someone who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to build trust, develop talent and create a positive working environment where colleagues feel supported, valued and empowered to succeed. You will lead a dedicated finance team, providing clear direction, professional challenge and day-to-day support, whilst fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will be passionate about helping others grow, confident in having supportive but honest conversations, and committed to creating an environment where individuals and teams can thrive.
Working closely with the Director of Finance and Operations, you will help ensure that our financial management, governance and reporting arrangements remain robust, compliant and focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for our academies. You will play a significant role in developing financial systems, improving processes, supporting audit and assurance activities, and providing high-quality financial information to academy leaders, senior executives and Trustees.
This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional who wants to make a genuine impact beyond the numbers. Alongside responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and compliance, you will have the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making across the Trust and contribute to the ongoing development of our services, systems and people.
You will be a CCAB qualified accountant with significant experience of financial management within a complex organisation. You will have a track record of leading and developing teams, building strong professional relationships and delivering excellent financial stewardship.
You will be equally comfortable analysing complex financial information, presenting reports to senior leaders and governing bodies, and supporting colleagues in their professional development. Whether your experience has been gained within education, the public sector, charity sector or a commercial environment, you will bring sound judgement, professional credibility and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Most importantly, you will be an approachable and supportive leader who understands that strong relationships and effective teamwork are fundamental to success. You will bring warmth, professionalism and resilience, along with the ability to inspire confidence, manage performance constructively and help others reach their full potential.
- A key leadership role within a successful and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust.
- The opportunity to lead, develop and shape a dedicated finance team.
- A varied and rewarding role with significant responsibility and influence.
- The opportunity to work closely with senior leaders and Trustees, contributing to strategic decision-making.
- Professional development and career progression opportunities.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A supportive, collaborative and values-driven working environment.
- The opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact on the education and wellbeing of young people.
If you are an experienced finance professional who believes that great leadership is about developing people as well as delivering results, we would love to hear from you.
You will work as part of the Trust Central Services Team, a group of professionals using expertise in delivering core services and high-quality support to our academies. We enjoy a purposeful, positive and good-humoured working environment, based in dedicated office space in Wellingborough.
We are an ambitious and values-driven Trust committed to delivering excellent outcomes for our pupils and communities. We believe that great organisations are built by great people and are committed to developing talented professionals, providing opportunities to grow, contribute and make a meaningful impact.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will undergo an enhanced DBS check and other pre-employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
- Comprehensive knowledge of financial accounting principles and management accounting.
essential - Extensive knowledge of budget setting principles, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
essential - Strong understanding of financial reporting requirements and production of management accounts.
essential - Knowledge of cash flow management, reserves management and financial risk assessment.
essential - Detailed knowledge of the Academy Trust Handbook.
essential - Thorough understanding of academy trust financial regulations, governance and statutory compliance requirements.
essential - Knowledge of ESFA financial returns and reporting requirements.
essential - Understanding of Companies House and Charity Commission filing requirements.
essential - Knowledge of procurement regulations and value for money principles within the education sector.
essential - Strong understanding of internal scrutiny requirements.
essential - Knowledge of internal and external audit processes.
essential - Understanding of fraud prevention, fraud investigation and financial risk management.
essential - Knowledge of internal control frameworks and financial assurance processes.
essential - Knowledge and experience of financial management systems and accounting software.
essential - Understanding of financial controls, systems development and process improvement.
essential - Knowledge of data analysis, reporting tools and financial dashboard development.
essential - Knowledge and track record in effective performance management.
essential - Understanding of staff wellbeing, motivation and engagement principles.
essential - Knowledge and experience of workforce development and coaching techniques.
essential - Ability to produce accurate and timely financial reports.
essential - Excellent budget planning and financial modelling skills.
essential - Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
essential - Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate it clearly.
essential - Highly developed spreadsheet and data analysis skills.
essential - Ability to lead and motivate a finance team.
essential - Ability to manage change effectively.
essential - Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
essential - Ability to influence decision-making through sound financial advice.
essential - Ability to prioritise workloads and meet multiple deadlines.
essential - Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
essential - Ability to explain financial matters clearly to non-financial audiences.
essential - Strong report-writing and presentation skills.
essential - Ability to challenge constructively and provide professional advice.
essential - High levels of integrity and professional ethics.
essential - Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
essential - Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining quality standards.
essential - Proactive and solution-focused approach.
essential - Commitment to continuous improvement.
essential - Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality.
essential - Commitment to public sector values and stewardship of public funds.
essential - Strong commitment to safeguarding and promotion of pupil welfare.
essential - Resilient, adaptable and self-motivated.
essential - Collaborative and supportive leadership style.
essential - Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
essential - Commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development.
essential - Must be suitable to work with children.
essential - Knowledge of payroll and pensions administration in the education sector.
- Understanding of charity accounting and SORP requirements.
- Knowledge of education funding methodologies.
- Understanding of academy sector benchmarking tools.
- Qualified Accountant (CCAB, CIMA, ACCA, ACA, CIPFA) or equivalent professional qualification.
- Degree-level qualification or substantial relevant professional experience.
essential - Evidence of continuing professional development in finance, accounting, audit or academy trust financial management.
essential - CIPFA Diploma in School Financial Management.
- School Business Professional qualification.
- Internal Audit or Risk Management qualification.
- Project Management qualification.
Hatton Academies Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from appropriately qualified persons regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, age or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants are required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
