Deputy Chief Financial Officer (Financial Controller)

Discovery Educational Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust of over 3,000 pupils, is looking to recruit an experienced and ambitious Finance professional to manage and control all aspects of the Trust’s Finance function.  

Job Purpose

• To assist the CFO in the development, and management of the DET Finance functions.

• To deputise for the CFO as and when necessary.

• To promote the highest standards of business ethos, actively promoting the DET vision and ethos.

• To ensure value for money and to support integrated curriculum and financial planning.

Currently, there are three schools in the Discovery Educational Trust:

Chase High School, Southend

Larchwood Primary School, Brentwood

St. Martin's School, Brentwood.

Discovery Educational Trust is a 'Trust of Opportunity'

Our Vision

Strong and effective leadership places our children and young people at the heart of everything we do.

Our schools offer our children and young people a high quality inclusive education, a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum and a safe and stimulating place to grow, learn and develop. All pupils are fully prepared to seize the opportunities of the rapidly changing world and become active and responsible global citizens.

There is effective support for the wellbeing of pupils and collaborative multi-agency working. Our pupils have a positive attitude to their education, reflecting a respectful culture and high expectations for behaviour.

Our Trust is an employer of choice and invests in the professional development and wellbeing of its workforce.

Rigorous financial planning and risk management underpin improvement and innovation and create sustainability, enabling our Trust to expand to include local schools that share our ambitions.

Our schools collaborate and are mutually supportive but challenging partners. There is wide ranging communication with stakeholders within school and in the wider community. Their feedback helps us continue to improve.

Our Values

The Trust Board is responsible for setting the core values of the Trust, which will then provide a reference point for all decisions, underpinning the culture, strategy, policies and procedures of the Trust.

All schools within the Trust share its values, which are made relevant according to the vision and improvement plan of each individual school. We will communicate our values to everyone in the school’s community and reaffirm their relevance annually.

Our relationships are open and honest, underpinned by kindness, trustworthiness and compassion.

Our working practices are led by the Nolan principles for public life, particularly integrity and accountability, leadership, inclusivity and selflessness.

We work to ensure that all our children and young people become fully rounded members of society, who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. This ensures that young people leave our schools fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

We are looking for a middle leader, who has vision, drive and ambition, sets high expectations of themselves and others, and can motivate, inspire and is emotionally intelligent.

If you feel that your skills, knowledge and experience can contribute positively and dynamically to the vision and values of the Trust, this could be the role for you. We will also provide the successful candidate with the relevant support and CPD.

Please take the time to look at the detailed Job Description and Person Specification. Evidence of working as a middle leader with experience of financial reporting within a regulatory or educational setting is required.

If you would like more information regarding this role, our Executive Headteacher, Ryan Duff, would welcome the opportunity to speak to all interested parties. Please email rduff@discoveryeducationaltrust.co.uk to arrange an informal, confidential conversation.

Tours of any of the schools within the Trust may also be possible. Please email rduff@discoveryeducationaltrust.co.uk to arrange.

Closing date for this vacancy: Wednesday 1 September 2021 (midday).

Interviews will be held on Thursday 16 September 2021.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early upon appointment of a successful applicant.