Homepage > Chief Financial Officer
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,
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.
This is a strong and financially healthy Trust. We have good levels of cash and reserves, and the new CFO will be managing a £16 million budget and will be committed to generating a small surplus at each site for future investment.
Key Highlights – Year ending August 2023
- As a trust we have a budget of £16,395,741 (2022: £13,829,143)
- Expenditure for the year ending August 2023 amounted to £15,568,603 (2022: £14,551,568) which included costs from the pension valuation of £298,888 (2022: £834,704)
- The Trust generated a net surplus before other gains and losses in the year of £827,138 (2022: net loss of £722,425)
- The trust had a gain on the latest pensions valuation of £2,334,404 (2022: £7,507,841) leading to an increase in net funds of £3,161,542 (2022: £6,785,416)
Download our Financial Statement below to find out more
Further financial information can be found under Key Documents and Data below, on our Trust website and the Schools Financial Benchmarking site.
The finance team is a highly regarded team, situated in our beautiful Head office in Guisborough. The CFO will line manage a Business Co-ordinator Finance and Business Development Manager, who oversees four finance assistants and an apprentice.
The team is responsible for all aspects of financial management, exchequer services, the management of financial records, resource allocation and budget control, financial planning (strategic and operational), the financial management of projects, funding relationships with the funding body and other agencies and related contractual arrangements with external organisations e.g. payroll services.
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
As part of the application process, you may have been asked to demonstrate within this application form how you meet some or all of the criteria outlined in the person specification. The supporting information section of your application should clearly evidence your ability to meet these requirements. This will be used to shortlist applicants for this role and therefore it is imperative that you provide evidence as requested. Rather than simply repeating your career history, look at the skills and experience required by the job and provide evidence that you possess them by giving specific and detailed examples which include a focus on outcomes and on your own contribution to the scenario. Try to use different and varied examples wherever possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. All disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a post will be offered an interview. Reasonable adjustments are put in place where required to support candidates through the recruitment process and into employment. If you need any assistance with your application in terms of reasonable adjustments or an alternative format, please let us know.
References
When completing your application, please provide two employment referees, one of which must be your most recent employer.
Data Protection
The information that you state on this application form will be used by the Trust and the Council to consider you for a job vacancy. To find out about how we use your personal data for the purposes of recruitment please see our Privacy Notice at www.northyorks.gov.uk/working-us.
Rehabilitation of Offenders
The post you are applying for requires you to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service criminal records check for work with children, with a barred list check if you work in regulated activity. This check for disclosure of criminal history will include spent convictions, pending prosecutions / current court proceeding and police enquiries.
Should you be shortlisted, you will be asked to disclose full details of your criminal history prior to your interview. This includes any information deemed relevant as part of Keeping Children Safe in Education which may arise in an online search undertaken on shortlisted candidates. This information may be discussed with you at your interview in order to assess job related risks, but we emphasise that your application will be considered on merit and ability and you will not be discriminated against unfairly. Failure to disclose this information will result in any offer of employment being withdrawn.
Please also see the policy statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders below.
Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders
As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, Tees Valley Collaborative Trust (the Trust) complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. It undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.
The Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.
We actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. We select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience.
All application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that a Disclosure will be requested in the event of the individual being offered the position.
Where a Disclosure is to form part of the recruitment process, we encourage all applicants called for interview to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the application process. We request that this information is sent under separate, confidential cover, to a designated person within the Trust and we guarantee that this information is only seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.
Unless the nature of the position allows the Trust to ask questions about your entire criminal record we only ask about any convictions or cautions that are not protected as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
We ensure that all those in the Trust who are involved in the recruitment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences. We also ensure that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders, eg the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
At interview, or in a separate discussion, we ensure that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.
We make every subject of a DBS Disclosure aware of the existence of the Code of Practice and make a copy available on request.
We undertake to discuss any matter revealed in a Disclosure with the person seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences.
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.
North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies and process applications on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Further information on how we process your data can be found here.