Senior Finance Business Partner

Job overview

Senior Finance Business Partner

Location: Hybrid – Home based with regular travel during term time to schools including Milton Keynes Academy – Milton Keynes, Ash Green School – Coventry and other schools to be determined

Hours: Full time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive

Creative Education Trust is a leading multi-academy trust dedicated to providing high-quality education to students across our network of 17 schools. We are seeking a Fully Qualified Senior Finance Business Partner to join our team, to be professionally responsible and accountable for providing high-quality financial service to the academies that the post-holder is accountable for. This post is central to supporting the trust and its academies to achieve their strategic aims and objectives, via effective and efficient management of its financial resources to enhance the life chances of children.

The Senior Finance Business Partner will work directly with the school leadership teams, closely with the Trust’s Head of Finance Business Partnering and Trust’s Financial Controller to continuously develop processes and finance staff in the academies within the region.

The responsibilities for this role are wide and varied and include meeting regularly with the region’s Principals / Headteachers to discuss financial strategy, monthly management accounts, ongoing rolling forecasts and to provide financial and commercial advice. Lead on the financial aspects of Curriculum Led Financial Planning (CLFP), prepare the budgets and 3-year plan in line with Trust guidance, continuously update the rolling financial forecasts, manage the production of insightful month end reporting, ensure monthly payrolls are checked and authorised, identify income generation opportunities and much more.

Joining a Multi-Academy Trust offers an interesting and varied role with an excellent opportunity to add significant value to our schools every day. If you are a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA etc.) looking to progress your career within the public sector or take the step into, we would love to hear from you!

As an employee of Creative Education Trust, you will benefit from a highly competitive career package which includes:

·      High quality professional development

·      Regular training to develop your skills and knowledge

·      A tailored induction programme to meet your needs and ongoing support from an experienced and skilled team

In addition, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package.

You will have access to:

·      Local Government Pension Scheme

·      The Vivup platform that brings employee benefits, discounts, and wellbeing

·      Discounted Gym memberships and a Health Cash Plan where you can claim money back for medical expenses

·      Access to our Employee Assistance Scheme provided by Health Assured.

·      Bike2Work Scheme - where you can save up to 42% on the cost of bicycles and/or equipment

·      And much more.

We very much welcome initial, confidential and informal conversations to discuss the role in more detail – please get in touch with Katy Youngman our Recruitment Manager (katy.youngman@creativeeducationtrust.org.uk) or Michelle Hopkinson our Head of Finance Business Partnering (michelle.hopkinson@creativeeducationtrust.org.uk).

Closing date: Monday 20th May at midday

Interview date: 1st round interviews are likely to take place Thursday 23rd May or Friday 24th May – to be confirmed

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Creative Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks which will include checks of social media accounts.