CFOO

Are you a School Finance Manager or a MAT Management Accountant ready for your first C-level role?

Or the CFO/CFOO of a small trust looking for a role that truly inspires you?

Are you looking for a MAT with bold ambitions and a deeply rooted purpose?

Do you want to wake up every day energised by your work because you know you're making a difference?

With a visionary CEO who values your insights?

If so, this might be the role you're looking for

I am working with Ambition Community Trust (Manchester area) to find them a Permanent CFOO.

As CFOO, you'll provide strategic leadership across finance, operations, and sustainability for Ambition Community Trust.

Working closely with the CEO, school leaders, and Trustees, you'll drive strategic planning, resource allocation, and risk management to secure the long-term success and lasting educational impact of this unique trust.

Ambition Community Trust is built on the belief that children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and valued.

Through Relational Inclusion, they put emotional well-being at the heart of education, creating nurturing school communities where every child can thrive. With a bold vision to become a centre of excellence in relational education, they are redefining what's possible for young people.

As CFOO you'll be instrumental in ensuring the trust's financial and operational strength, helping to turn this vision into reality.

Important Details:

• Salary: Negotiable; starting at £75000. Open to negotiation.
• Permanent position working all year round.
• 5 hours per week.
• Manage your diary and working location around the needs of the trust.
• Schools in Trafford, Manchester, and Tameside.
• Some flexibility on hours and working from home.

Key Duties of the CFOO:

• Advise the CEO, Board, and school leaders on financial and operational strategy to support the trust's educational aims.
• Oversee finance, HR, estates, and health & safety at a strategic level.
• Lead and develop the Business Support Team to enhance trust-wide services.
• Conduct financial due diligence for schools joining the trust.
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and operational regulations.
• Lead budget planning, approval, and monitoring across the trust.
• Provide financial reports to the Board and trust leaders.
• Ensure compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook and financial policies.
• Manage internal and external audits, ensuring follow-ups on recommendations.
• Oversee procurement, contracts, and financial efficiencies.
• Manage insurance, tax, VAT claims, and cash flow.
• Support income generation strategies.
• Submit required financial returns and reports to DfE, ESFA, Charities Commission, and Companies House.
• Line manage the Operations Manager and HR lead.
• Implement a robust risk management framework for finance, health & safety, and estates.
• Ensure disaster recovery planning is in place.
• Oversee compliance with GDPR and cybersecurity regulations.
• Manage and develop the Business Support Team and school business managers.
• Lead financial systems development and ensure training is in place.
• Represent the trust in external networks and sector forums.
• Oversee KPI monitoring, reporting, audits (finance, estates, HR), and SLA evaluations.

The CFOO Must Have/Be:

• Educated to degree level.
• Professional finance or finance-related qualification at graduate level or the willingness to undertake the qualification.
• A willingness to undertake training on all aspects of the role.
• Experience managing significant financial resources with a good appreciation of relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Familiarity with financial processes and procedures.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills for integrated operational leadership.
• Experience in effectively managing a team.
• High level of IT competence, literacy, and numeracy skills.
• Expertise in compliance, including data protection (GDPR) and legal risk management.
• Strong persuasive, influencing, and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently
• Strategic planning and strategic management of financial resources.
• Strong analysis and decision-making skills.
• Capacity to work under pressure to meet deadlines and organisational priorities.
• Good leadership skills and ability to inspire and challenge colleagues.
• Driving licence and own transport.
• Willingness to consent to a DBS.

Appoint-Ed is managing this vacancy on behalf of Ambition Community Trust on an exclusive basis. All direct or agency approaches will be forwarded to Appoint-Ed.

Are you the CFOO the Ambition Community Trust is searching for? Let's talk!

Send your CV via this ad or call Kellie Gordon in the Appoint-Ed office.