Head of Finance

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Job Description

• Evolution Academy Trust, Norwich, Norfolk NR14 7XP
• £64,263 - £75,513 per annum
• Full Time
• Permanent
• Reference: 6426
• Required as soon as possible

Main purpose

• the Head of Finance is responsible for the trust's detailed financial procedures and performs both a technical and leadership role
• the Head of Finance is also responsible for providing leadership and management of the trust's finance and business functions, enabling the trust to work effectively towards its aims
• to support the CEO in their role as the trust's accounting officer.

Duties and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities listed below are indicative of the tasks the Head of Finance at Evolution Academy Trust will perform and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

The postholder will be expected to take on additional responsibilities appropriate to the role as they arise.

Please refer to the recruitment pack for full person specification.

Strategic Direction and Development

The Head of Finance will be accountable for supporting the trust's strategic development and aims through effective financial planning and management, in line with regulations.

The Head of Finance will:

• advise the CEO, board and other trust leaders on all matters relating to financial strategy and operations, including the submission of written reports on key areas of focus or which are of concern
• contribute to the development and implementation of the trust's strategy, providing financial analysis and guidance on all activities, setting financial objectives and monitoring performance
• conduct financial due diligence on schools applying to join the trust, and report to the board and other trust leaders with recommendations
• contribute to the trust's risk management efforts, including identifying strategic and operational financial risks, taking steps to mitigate these risks, and maintaining the Trust's risk register.

Financial management and control

The Head of Finance will be accountable for maintaining robust financial management of the trust and its academies.

The Head of Finance will:

• manage the budget process, from planning through to approval, working with other trust leaders
• work with central team members, headteachers and office/business managers within the trust, to prepare and monitor individual academies' budgets in line with school development plans and the Trust's strategic objectives
• provide accurate and timely information to the board and other trust leaders to enable effective budgetary control
• develop, implement and monitor the trust's financial policies and procedures (on procurement, asset management and disposal, etc.) in accordance with the Academies Trust Handbook, enabling robust financial management.

Reporting and compliance

The Head of Finance will be accountable for ensuring that the trust complies with its legal obligations, adheres to financial regulations, and submits accurate financial reports in a timely manner.

The Head of Finance will:

• complete and submit financial returns as required by the Department for Education, the Education and Skills Funding Agency, the Charities Commission and Companies House
• prepare and submit the trust's financial returns and reports, including annual accounts and monthly management accounts
• maintain the trust's accounts in line with the funding agreement and the Academies Trust Handbook
• monitor developments to legislation around payroll, pensions and benefits, implementing changes and adapting processes as required.

Any other duties related to leadership and management of trust finances.

Note: This job description may be amended at any time in consultation with the postholder.

You will need:

• to be a qualified accountant or equivalent
• the ability to lead effectively across the organization, demonstrating effective influencing and communication skills
• experience of financial leadership in an organisation - both strategically and operationally focused
• the ability to prepare and submit financial returns, including the annual accounts, to the ESFA, government departments and Companies House
• the ability to produce accurate, timely and insightful reports for trustees and the CEO.

Please refer to recruitment pack for full person specification.

About us and we will offer you:

This is an exciting time to join our trust. We have a fantastic central team, great leaders and hard-working staff in our 12 schools. Many of our schools are graded as 'Good' or higher from Ofsted and we are now seeking to further strengthen our team to enable future improvements and growth.

We are looking to recruit an exceptional Head of Finance who can help move us forward even further, both strategically and operationally. We seek to appoint someone ambitious who is eager to lead key aspects of our finance functions. We can offer you a supportive, dedicated and aspirational finance team, strong school leaders and a commitment to a culture where we all strive to continually improve.

To find out more

Please read theRecruitment Pack (pdf)

To arrange an informal conversation, please email Craig Avieson, CEO, on c.avieson@evolutionacademytrust.org.uk

How to apply

Please complete theApplication Form (docx)

Completed application to be emailed to L.Brockett@evolutionacademytrust.org.uk

Closing date: midday, 1 November 2024.

About the Team

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