Head Of Finance jobs in United Kingdom

About this Role

Step into a transformative leadership role where your financial expertise will shape the future of education.

As Head of Finance at REAch2 Academy Trust, the largest primary-only academy trust in the UK you will be at the heart of driving financial excellence, innovation, and sustainability across a diverse and growing network of schools.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will lead the charge in delivering a high-performing, future-ready finance function. This is more than a technical role, it's a strategic opportunity to embed robust financial systems, craft forward-thinking policies, and align financial strategy with the Trust's ambitious vision for educational excellence.

In this pivotal position, you will:

• Inspire and lead a talented central finance team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the full financial lifecycle, from budgeting and forecasting to statutory reporting, audit, and operational delivery.
• Act as a strategic partner to the CFO and Executive Team, delivering insightful financial analysis, scenario modelling, and risk management to support evidence-based decisions across our schools and central teams.
• Champion innovation, driving digital transformation, systems integration, and process improvement to future-proof our financial operations.
• Play a key role in growth, leading financial due diligence for new school acquisitions and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory standards.

This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact-not only on the financial health of the Trust but on the life chances of thousands of children. If you're a visionary finance leader with a passion for purpose-driven work, we invite you to help shape the next chapter of REAch2's journey.

We are looking for someone with strong technical knowledge, a proven ability to lead and develop teams, and the credibility to influence at all levels - from school leaders to trustees. But just as importantly, we are looking for someone who shares our values, is passionate about education, and who understands that great financial management plays a vital role in delivering the best outcomes for children.

REAch2 is an inclusive organisation, committed to improving the diversity of leadership across the Trust and the experience of our staff. We value the strength that comes from difference - in background, identity, experience and perspective - and we are keen to hear from candidates who can bring a fresh lens to our work.

Please note that we will not be accepting any applications via recruitment agencies.

Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Data Protection

At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare, as stated in Section 175 of the Education Act (2002) is one that is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils.

We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children's Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity.

For more information about our safer recruitment processes, please click here for our Safer Recruitment Policy.

All information is stored securely, and any information supplied by unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed through a confidential waste system six months after the decision has been communicated, in accordance with our information and records retention policy.

The Trust ensures all applicant data is stored and processed appropriately. For further details on how your information will be managed during the recruitment process please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applications .