Director of Finance and Operations

Overview

Commitment, energy and enthusiasm are essential qualities for the Director of Finance and Operations of the Harrogate Ladies’ College (HLC) family of schools.  The School’s aims speak of inspiring and nurturing pupils ‘so as to engender in them a deep passion for learning and a love of life’ and visitors to the School will see that every member of the community celebrates this vision and endeavours to live out the challenge ‘to be the best that we can be’.  This is as true for the staff as it is for the pupils as we all strive to learn and develop.  

The Governors of HLC are seeking to appoint a Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) who will play a key strategic role in the growth and strengthening of the School so that it flourishes and is sustainable for at least another 125 years.  The post falls vacant on 1 April 2022 although there is some flexibility in the start date and a handover period would be desirable. This is a whole school role.

Located on the beautiful ‘Duchy Estate’ in the heart of Harrogate, the School enjoys 22 acres of land.  The School is a Christian foundation for day and boarding girls aged 11-18 and is one of the 4 ‘Allied Schools’ (the others being Canford, Stowe and Wrekin).  Highfield Preparatory School for boys and girls 2-11 lies at the heart of the School; it is led by its own Head and overseen by the Principal.

Day pupils come from the surrounding area with school minibuses travelling daily from Leeds, Ilkley, Skipton, Ripon and Wetherby.  Boarders come from the UK and over 28 countries overseas.   Our pupil body is diverse in terms of socio-economic, cultural and academic background but every pupil shares a common wish to fulfil their potential.

Pupils are encouraged by staff to learn to love learning, not just to pass the next assessment or test and also to establish strong foundations of skills for lifelong learning.  Pupils are challenged to think and explore new ideas and skills.  We have a broad range of academic ability and regularly achieve the best results in Harrogate.  In order to be able to embrace an uncertain global future, pupils of the School are encouraged to develop all aspects of their character through diverse extracurricular activities and active involvement in the boarding life of the community.  The leadership of the DFO is vital to the provision of the School’s education and vision.

The Principal of HLC took up her post in September 2013 and since then she has been working to empower and enable the Senior Team to drive forward a sustainable and enriched future for the School.  With a brief from the Governors of securing ‘growth from within’, the focus has been on inspiring teachers, encouraging outstanding educational practice and securing the School’s long term financial future.

Leadership structure

The Business Leadership Team (BLT) meets weekly and includes the Principal, Director of Finance and Operations, Director of Marketing and Admissions, Senior Deputy, Senior Master and Head of Highfield.

The College Senior Leadership Team (CSLT) meets weekly and is chaired by members of the team on rotation and is attended by the Principal, Senior Deputy, Deputy Academic (College), Senior Master, Head of Sixth Form, Head of KS3, Head of KS4 and Head of Boarding. 

The Whole School Leadership Team (WSLT) meets three or four times a term and combines the BLT, CSLT and Highfield leadership teams.  The WSLT builds and evaluates the strategic plan each year.

Over 200 adults work for HLC; it is unlikely that a more dedicated and professional group of people can be found in any school in the country.

The role

The primary responsibility of the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) is the leadership of, and responsibility for, the School’s financial operations.  The DFO has an integral role in the development and implementation of the strategic growth of the School.  They will be expected to be an outstanding professional, visionary financial leader and inspiring manager who is robust, flexible, with a strong sense of humour and whose primary motivation is to ensure the very best outcomes for the pupils of the School and its long term sustainable future.

Job Description

Please see the attached Recruitment Brochure for the full job description and person specification.

Benefits Package

• The DFO will receive a competitive salary which reflects the seniority of the role and its pivotal importance to the growth and development of the School.  They will be offered private health care cover and a 50% fee remission for their children.

• The holiday entitlement is 6 weeks per annum and the School will make 7% contributions to the post holder’s pension. This post is not residential

• There may be help with relocation expenses.

How to apply

For further information, please contact either Lucy Wyatt on 07817 038009 or John Murphie on 07801 545872 for an informal conversation or by emailing recruiting@theisba.org.uk.  It may be possible to arrange on site tours pre-interview.

To apply please send a completed application form, CV and cover letter of no more than two pages to the following email: recruiting@theisba.org.uk no later than 12.00 noon on Monday 28th February 2022. 

Initial interviews for selected candidates will be held during the week beginning 28th February.  Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at the school during the week of 7 March following psychometric testing.

Harrogate Ladies’ College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post and cannot start in post until all pre-employment checks have been completed satisfactorily. The School is an educational charity and equal opportunities employer.