Chief Financial Officer

The White Rose Academies Trust – leading the way in Education!

Chief Financial Officer 

Spot Salary:  Between £55k - £65k + WRAT Staff Benefits

An exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to join the rapidly improving White Rose Academies Trust on its journey to Outstanding.

Sponsored by the Leeds City College Group, The White Rose Academies Trust consists of three secondary academies – Leeds City Academy, Leeds East Academy and Leeds West Academy

Executive Principal, Andrew Whitaker, joined the Trust in September 2016, when all three academies were at risk of being placed in ‘Special Measures’. On joining, Andrew made a pledge that all three academies would be judged outstanding by 2020. True to his word, the last two years have seen rapid improvements at all three academies and, following the release of the National League Tables for Secondary Schools in October 2017, the Trust celebrated record-breaking progress across all of its schools.

• Leeds City Academy was placed as the fourth most improved school in Yorkshire and then secured its best ever GCSE results in Summer 2018.

• Leeds East Academy is placed in the top 15% of schools nationally for progress and is the most improved school in Yorkshire, the fourth most improved school in the country.

• Leeds West Academy is one of the most improved schools in the West of Leeds.

All three academies are proud to be featured in 2018 The Parliamentary Review, a publication which aims to share best practice among policy makers and business leaders.

The Role

· The Chief Financial Officer is a key member of the Multi Academy Trust’s Executive Leadership Team.  They are expected to bring a modern, business-like approach to the leadership of the finance function, running it as a highly competent and efficient service with an emphasis on business partnership across all academies and with devolution of the service where appropriate.

· The Chief Financial Officer will provide advice on strategic financial issues and be responsible for financial management and for the leadership and management of the financial team.

· The Chief Financial Officer is accountable for the accuracy and resilience of the Trust accounting practice, systems and data and is directly responsible for providing the required levels of competence and ownership of the financial operation of the Trust in its entirety.

· They will develop and deliver a proactive, customer-focused service.  The Trust Wide Finance team currently consists of three Academy Business Managers and one Finance Manager.  This team is expected to grow over the next two years.

· Responsible for all aspects of financial management, including payroll, exchequer services, the management of financial records, resource allocation and budget control, financial planning (strategic and operational), the financial management of projects, funding relationships with the funding body and other agencies and related contractual arrangements with external organisations.

· The post-holder will ensure that the systems and processes around the financial management and functions relating to this element of the Trust are efficient, reliable and quality assured through internal controls and processes, internal and external audit and remain a key feature of how well the Trust is managed – for both existing academies but also any prospective academies or stakeholders.

· As a Key Member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO will report directly to the Executive Principal, Board of Directors and assume a strategic role in the overall management of the Trust

We're securing our 2020 vision for Outstanding by growing our family of exceptional education professionals; dedicated specialists and passionate leaders with the shared goal of transforming future prospects for the next generation of West Yorkshire.

We provide exceptional life training; harnessing the skills and fortifying the aspirations of young people, who we know will transform the region and provide a positive, progressive contribution to society

The White Rose Academies Trust is a local Trust dedicated to raising and fulfilling the ambitions of young people. Our academies throughout Leeds are at the heart of the communities they serve, which is why we are committed to delivering an outstanding education to every one of our students.

For more information or to apply for this role, please visit the Careers page of our website at www.whiteroseacademies.org  and download an application form. If you would like to visit any of the academies prior to making an application, please contact Yvonne Hare, Head of Communications and Projects at hare.y@whiteroseacademies.org or by telephone 07906699942.

Closing date:  Monday 22nd October 2018 at 12 noon

Shortlisting: W/C 22nd October 2018

Interviews: W/C 5th November 2018

Start Date: ASAP

The Parliamentary Review

http://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/editions/secondary-education/secondary-education-yorkshire-and-humber