Volunteer Lead Finance Trustee - Make a strategic impact in primary education | Five Rivers Mul[...]

FIVE RIVERS MULTI ACADEMY TRUST; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic board as a Lead Finance Trustee to make a strategic impact in primary education. Use your financial expertise to ensure sustainability and improve outcomes for disadvantaged children. This voluntary role offers a chance to shape the trust’s future and support high-quality teaching in diverse areas.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic financial leadership at board or senior management level.
• Understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, risk management, and long-term planning.

Responsibilities

• Shape the trust’s financial strategy for sustainability.
• Oversee budgets and support informed decision-making.
• Ensure transparent, wise use of public funds.

Skills

Strategic Financial Leadership

Financial Reporting

Budgeting

Risk Management

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Job description

Volunteer Lead Finance Trustee - Make a strategic impact in primary education | Five Rivers Multi Academy Trust

Join a dynamic board supporting primary schools in diverse, deprived areas. Use your strategic finance skills to shape the trust’s future, ensure sustainability, and help every child thrive through smart, impactful use of resources.

What difference will you make?

As Lead Finance Trustee, your influence will extend beyond balance sheets. You will ensure that financial decisions lead to better outcomes for children, especially those facing disadvantage. Your expertise will help allocate resources effectively—supporting high-quality teaching, inclusive learning, and targeted interventions. Your strategic oversight will:

• Strengthen the trust’s financial resilience, enabling sustainable growth
• Ensure transparent and ethical use of public funds
• Shape long-term goals reflecting community needs
• Provide assurance to stakeholders, parents, and regulators

Ultimately, your role will empower the trust to fulfill its mission of raising aspirations and improving life chances for every child.

What are we looking for?

We seek a finance professional with vision, integrity, and commitment to contribute to our trust’s strategic leadership. As Lead Finance Trustee, you will guide and challenge the trust’s financial sustainability, ensuring effective use of public funding for children’s outcomes. You should have:

• Proven experience in strategic financial leadership, ideally at board or senior management level
• Understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, risk management, and long-term planning
• Ability to interpret complex financial data and communicate clearly to non-financial colleagues
• A track record of constructive oversight, sound judgment, and strategic thinking
• Experience in education is not essential, but knowledge of public sector funding, academy structures, or governance in regulated environments is advantageous

Personal qualities include:

• Commitment to educational equality and improving outcomes for disadvantaged children
• Independence of thought, curiosity, and willingness to challenge assumptions
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills
• Integrity, discretion, and accountability for public resources

This voluntary role offers a chance to apply your financial expertise to a meaningful cause, supporting sustainable, high-impact education for children who need it most.

What will you be doing?

You will join our dedicated board of trustees to support primary schools in socially diverse, economically deprived areas. Your role involves:

• Shaping the trust’s financial strategy for sustainability
• Overseeing budgets and supporting informed decision-making
• Providing challenge and assurance to the executive team
• Ensuring transparent, wise use of public funds
• Aligning priorities with the trust’s mission to support children overcoming barriers and reaching potential

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference in children’s lives by applying your skills where they matter most.