Director of Finance and Operations

This is an exciting time in the development of Ackworth School. Our new Head joins us from Easter 2024 and we are confident that his ambitious plans will enable us to flourish as we approach our 250th anniversary year in 2029 and beyond

Reporting directly to the Head, the Director of Finance and Operations will have overall responsibility for the leadership of all non-educational functions within the school, including the Finance Department, Facilities, Human Resources, Catering and the ICT infrastructure. They will work as part of the Leadership Team to ensure the successful execution of the Strategic Plan and vision for the future.

The successful candidate will be a visionary, dynamic, commercially minded and experienced leader who will drive the commercial strategy of the School through a collaborative and enabling style that will bring the best out of others. They will have a clear commitment to the Quaker values and a genuine affinity to the distinctive ethos and atmosphere of Ackworth.

Ackworth School, a co-educational boarding and day school, was founded in 1779 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). It maintains its ethos and traditions and is still governed by Ackworth General Meeting. The school is academically non-selective and provides an excellent range of facilities and extra-curricular opportunities, recently achieving "Excellent" in the FCI/EQI (February 2023). The Head is a member of both HMC and the Society of Heads.

Our pupils are one of Ackworth's USP's. Visitors to the school never fail to acknowledge how amazing they are and how positive the encounter is. All staff at Ackworth pay a key part in the operation of the School to make sure that it runs smoothly and so that we can focus on delivering an excellent education for our pupils.

The successful candidate will:

·      have experience in making sound decisions in order to bring about meaningful change

·      evidence proven successful experience to be able to deliver against an ambitious strategy

·      possess broad experience beyond their finance skills and knowledge, particularly in areas such as facilities.

·      have the ability to transfer their skillset to an educational environment, with charitable status, in order to create a long term, financially robust organisation.

• be an exceptional leader who sets a clear standard and direction in line with the shared vision.

In return we offer:

·      a supportive and friendly environment based on the Quaker ethos of the school.

·      a beautiful working location in an ideal location within easy travelling distance of the main centres of Sheffield, Leeds, Doncaster and York.

·      generous fee remission of 50% for the children of our staff.

·      all food and refreshments during the working day.

·      free on-site parking.

·      flexible pension and health benefits.

Interested candidates are welcome to contact the school to arrange a confidential discussion. The application process is being managed in-house by the Head of HR, Joanne Colley and she can be contacted as follows:

Joanne.Colley@ackworthschool.com / 01977 233600

Closing date: Monday 15th April 2024 at 10.00am UK time

Candidates are required to submit the following in pdf format.

·      A completed Ackworth School application form that can be downloaded from the school’s website.

·      A covering letter, preferably of no more than two pages, addressed to Carol Rayner, Treasurer to the School Committee. The letter should set out your reasons for applying for the role and what attracts you to being part of the Ackworth School community. In the letter you should address the requirements of the role and draw on the relevance of your experience and skills to illustrate your suitability, paying particular attention to the person specification and overall job description.

Applications should be submitted electronically to the school to jobs@ackworthschool.com. If you have any questions about submitting your application, you can contact Joanne Colley whose details are above.

Our process is as follows:

·      All applications will be acknowledged, on receipt, by email. If you have not received this within two working days of submission, please email Joanne Colley.

·      The panel will meet to shortlist after the closing date. First round interviews will take place w/c 29th April 2024.

·      Second round interviews will take place w/c 13th May 2024.

Applicants should read carefully the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy. Our recruitment privacy notice is also available on our website within “Working For Us”. 

Ackworth School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all applicants will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and Barred list check with Disclosure and Barring Service. Applicants should also be in sympathy with the School’s Quaker ethos.