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Chief Financial Officer
Salary: L14 - L16 (£75,235 - £78,889)
Location: Guisborough


Dear applicant,

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in our Chief Financial Officer opportunity. We hope that the information we have provided encourages you to make an application to this inclusive and collaborative Trust.

I recently joined Tees Valley Collaborative Trust (TVCT) earlier this year, and I have been very impressed with its team of exceptional educators, support staff and managers who are all deeply committed to delivering excellence. Our overarching mission is to deliver high quality education, skills and authentic real world learning experiences that equip young people with the practical and life skills they need to thrive.

Looking ahead, we have a steadfastly outward focus with a commitment to expanding opportunities for every student across the age phases of TVCT. Beyond academic and job-ready skills, we are passionately dedicated to fostering confidence, employability skills and empowering our learners to navigate the world with resilience. We know we have a strong offering and we are committed to making sure that even more children can take advantage of our inclusive and supportive culture – we have some very ambitious plans! This is where our Chief Financial Officer will be vital in helping to deliver our strategy and ensuring we are able to succeed.

Additionally, we prioritise the reintegration of young people back into school environments, offering tailored support and resources, to ensure a smooth transition and continued success in their academic or vocational journey.

We take pride in fostering a stable and supportive work environment, where staff can succeed and develop. Within TVCT, a diverse Multi Academy Trust, there are countless advantages to be gained. As our Trust continues to expand, exciting new opportunities emerge, providing avenues for professional development, career progression and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our evolving organisation.

We are looking for a strategic and innovative leader with an appetite for progression and change, and with the commercial acumen, business sense and vision to ensure TVCT succeeds in its ambitious and exciting plans for its future as we embark on our exciting phase of development.

For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please email Helen Poole, or call on 01609 532 254. Following an initial conversation with our Recruitment Partner, I would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with those who might wish to learn a little more about us and the role. We would also encourage applicants to have a look at the Trust website to get a feel for our Trust.

I hope you find the information provided useful and informative and that it will encourage you to apply. Join us in our commitment to fostering an enriching and rewarding work environment, where every member of our team plays a vital role in shaping the future of education and the development of children and young adults.

Thank you again for your interest in Tees Valley Collaborative Trust and I look forward to receiving your application.

Yours faithfully,

Picture of CEO N Munro

Nichole Munro MPhil, Med, PGCE, ILM
Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT THE ROLE

Tees Valley Collaborative Trust represents a wholly different proposition to many multi-academy trusts. We are an all-through provision with expertise ranging from three months to adult education and all points in between. We are completely committed to providing an inclusive education where all learners thrive and achieve. We have expertise in both SEND and Alternative Provision, working with over 120 pupils with EHCPs across a range of settings. We aspire to include and support every child, regardless of ethnic background, culture, language, gender, socio- economic background or disability. We take a forward-thinking, problem-solving approach to widening inclusion across our Trust and the wider communities that we serve.

The CFO is a key component of our values, being responsible for a comprehensive financial oversight, including budgeting, financial reporting, and risk management. As part of our commitment to the community, the CFO will also coordinate pro bono work to support local schools within the Trust's Corporate Social Responsibility framework.

Reporting directly to the CEO who is the Chief Accounting Officer, key duties include:

  • Financial Planning, Monitoring and Reporting: Lead the way in financial monitoring and forecasting, ensuring that budgets are meticulously managed and financial statements are prepared in strict compliance with regulations. Your expertise will help us maintain clarity and precision in our financial operations.
  • Resource Allocation: Overseeing effective allocation of resources and target-setting to support the Trust’s objectives, including educational provisions and infrastructure projects. This includes managing multiple funding streams which include 6th form, high needs and adult funding. You will also develop and manage a comprehensive reserves policy, which aims to accumulate reserves and cash balances for estate development and contingencies.
  • Risk Management: You will oversee the Trust's investment policy, focusing on the security and liquidity of invested capital. You will proactively ensure funds are prudently invested with the current banker (Lloyds) to avoid inappropriate risk exposure. You will also lead the Trust's risk management strategy, ensuring that risk assessment and mitigation are embedded in daily operations. This involves maintaining a detailed risk register for each academy and at the Trust level, reviewed monthly by SLT and the Extended Executive Team, and annually approved by the Trust Board.
  • Governance and Compliance: You will ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal controls in adherence with the Academies handbook. This includes managing a robust system of internal control that encompasses comprehensive budgeting, financial performance reviews, and adherence to procurement guidelines. The CFO also works closely with external auditors and the Finance and Audit Committee to review financial controls, governance processes, and ensure value for money in all financial activities.

The CFO's role is integral to strategic decision-making with the CEO and Trustees, supporting the Trust's long-term goals through sound financial management and proactive risk mitigation. The CFO will ensure that financial plans are aligned with the strategic objectives, including managing funding for key projects like the comprehensive estates management strategy and the full refurbishment and extension of the Bishopton PRU.

The CFO will also work closely with the Director of Operations and the post holder of the newly created Director of Business Development post to consider savings efficiencies and maximise capacity within the existing academies, as well as developing new income streams. This includes appropriate budget setting and business modelling which includes target-setting.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CFO OPPORTUNITY

Post: Chief Financial Officer
Number on Roll: 2235
Commencing: September 2024
Salary: SFCA Leadership Range L14 – L16 (£75,235 - £78,889)
Contract Term: Permanent

Our Opportunity:

Due to the progression of our incumbent CFO, this exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly talented and meticulous Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or aspiring CFO to join our evolving Trust. You will be at the heart of our Trust’s financial health, building upon the financial legacy of our outgoing CFO to manage our budget of £16m and lead, shape and further develop our financial resilience at an exciting chapter in our journey, as our new CEO implements her vision across our unique mix of settings with our newly-restructured Trust Leadership team.

You will uphold responsibilities as set out in the Academies Trust Handbook, ensuring effective financial stewardship and provide top-tier leadership and ethical management for the Trust's internal finance operations. Through expert financial planning and analysis from you as CFO, we will ensure a smooth, efficient, and effective implementation of our objectives and strategic plan and progress towards a prosperous future in line with our vision.

You will be working alongside and supported by a talented Trust central team and Trustees who are ambitious and have high aspirations for our Trust. The CFO is directly responsible to the Chief Executive, who is the accounting officer for the Trust, and is ultimately responsible for the proper financial conduct of the Trust.

About You:

This role will appeal to an ambitious financial professional eager to make a difference and bring about transformative change. You will be a qualified accountant with professional accreditation (ACCA, CIMA, or CIPFA) and possess substantial leadership experience in senior financial roles, particularly within educational settings. Your extensive expertise spans financial and risk management, proficiently handling budgets, statutory accounts, and financial controls in line with the Academies Trust Handbook. You may be a current CFO or an ambitious Deputy CFO or Finance Manager looking for career progression and the opportunity to influence the future direction of our Trust.

You will boast a successful track record of implementing effective budget management and target setting, coupled with dynamic yet ethical leadership. You will have skilfully managed various income streams and engaged successfully with key external stakeholders such as the ESFA, DFE, Local Authorities, HMRC, and NAO. In addition, your commercially agile mindset enables you to lead the Trust's financial functions innovatively, identifying and capitalising on financial opportunities both internally and externally with the new Trust Director of Business Development. Finally, you will share the CEO's bold and ambitious vision for rapid growth and are committed to driving our Trust towards its strategic goals. This includes bringing your team on your journey, leading and influencing stakeholders and Trustees with credibility and resilience.

We can offer you:

  • A highly ambitious Trust with a bold vision for growth and further partnerships with the local community
  • A talented and collaborative Trust SLT to work alongside, with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our evolving organisation
  • 40 days holiday entitlement
  • Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Opportunities for training and professional development
  • Additional employee benefits including Childcare Vouchers, Cycle Scheme, free on-site parking
  • Discounted nursery provision on the Prior Pursglove College site (available to all Trust employees

For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please email Helen Poole, or call on 01609 532 254. Helen has been engaged to support us with recruitment to this opportunity.

Key dates

Application closing date: Sunday 30th June, 23:59
Shortlisting: Monday 1st July
Interviews: Thursday 4th and Friday 5th July

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We have a robust Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and all staff will receive training relevant to their role at induction and throughout employment at the school. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Please note this post is in regulated activity and exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS criminal records and barred list check for work with children. An online search may be undertaken as part of the recruitment process on information available in the public domain. Candidates should disclose anything that may be relevant in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

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