Director of Finance and Operations

Lloyd Barnes are proud to be the retained partner for Shebbear College in their search for a Director of Finance and Operations.

Shebbear College is a small independent day and boarding school of around 300 pupils, for boys and girls aged from 4 - 18. Set in 85-acres of idyllic countryside between Dartmoor and Exmoor, class sizes are smaller than average, we know every pupil as an individual, this is what stands us apart from other schools. Shebbear College is part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST), so the school benefits from being part of a group whilst also enjoying considerable local autonomy.

Reporting to the Head, the Director of Finance and Operations is responsible for providing leadership to most of the non-teaching team, this role manages the finance, HR, IT, estates, and facilities teams, as such, is a pivotal part of the Senior Leadership Team providing a reliable platform from which outstanding education is delivered.

This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced individual who has the ambition and skills to form part of an effective team to drive the school forward.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Financial management of the School, line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistants and reporting to MIST:
• Ensuring that timely and accurate financial information is provided, including monthly management accounts, 5yr financial forecasts & cash flow projections, annual budgets, and overseeing the preparation and audit of statutory accounts.
• Development and implementation of a capital expenditure program providing on-going improvements to the estates with financial appraisals of major capital projects.
• To develop and implement cost control systems, and support budget-holders.
• Advise on the projected level of fee income, ensure the timely collection of fees and the allocation of scholarships and bursaries and manage systems for dealing with debtors.
• To oversee the strategic direction of the commercial opportunities embraced by the School.
• Line management and oversight of Estates, Catering, Maintenance, H&S, Security, Caretaking, Domestic Services and Operations.
• Human Resources and pensions. With responsibility to oversee recruitment, terms and conditions, employment, welfare and overall management of teaching and non-teaching staff.
• To oversee IT provision within the school and, in consultation with the Head, to formulate the school’s digital strategy
• Compliance, risk management and insurance.
• Support the Governors in their roles as directors of the school and trustees of the enterprise.
• The Director of Finance and Operations is expected to be present at all major School functions and staff meetings

The ideal candidate will bring all or most of the following experience:

• Strong, working knowledge of financial management and budgeting in a comparably sized or larger organisations.
• Development of strategy with the ability to influence the long-term strategic direction of the School.
• Management experience, will have led and developed a team of at least comparable size to that of the team of non-teaching staff at Shebbear college.
• Project management experience.
• Experience of working within a complex and demanding compliance framework.
• Experience of property management would be advantageous.
• Commercial experience would be highly desirable.
• Computer literate and a confident user of IT.

Previous experience in a school is helpful, but not a requirement. However, a strong commitment to education and to independent boarding education in particular, is essential.

Personal Attributes

• Committed team player with a collegiate and collaborative approach together with an ability and willingness to create a working environment in which staff are empowered to take decisions.
• Good sense of humour and the ability to create a working environment in which people work hard and enjoy being part of the team, demonstrates personal dynamism, energy and enthusiasm, with a positive outlook
• Demonstrates personal strength of character through transparency, integrity and fairness. Has a strong sense of personal accountability, demonstrates good judgment and a calm approach
• Strong attention to detail, efficient and works effectively to deadline.

Benefits of Service

• Working in a small friendly school in a stunning rural location, we will offer a competitive remuneration package dependent on qualifications, skills and experience;
• Free lunch and refreshments during term-time;
• Free use of the school facilities such as gymnasium, music facilities.

The closing date for applications will be 12 noon on Friday 17th February

Candidates should apply for this role through our retained recruitment partner Lloyd

Barnes Accountancy Recruitment at www.lloyd-barnes.co.uk.

A full recruitment pack including, further details about the school, job description and person specification are also available from Jamie Wall (Commercial Director) at Lloyd Barnes Accountancy Recruitment.

Email: jamie@lloyd-barnes.co.uk Tel: 01392 890050

PLEASE NOTE: The successful applicant will be offered the post subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, proof of appropriate qualifications, Health questionnaire, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the applicant as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, proof of identity, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service, an overseas police check if required and confirmation of the right to work in the UK. Please refer to the Recruitment Selection and Disclosures Policy and Procedure on the school website.