Interim Chief Financial Officer

The Opportunity

We are seeking an outstanding Chief Financial Officer to join the Executive Leadership Team of a large, ambitious Multi Academy Trust  delivering services across multiple sites. This is a pivotal executive role responsible for shaping the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability while providing strategic leadership across Finance, Procurement, Estates and IT.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a key role in delivering organisational strategy, ensuring robust financial governance, and enabling operational excellence through effective stewardship of resources. Working closely with the Executive Team and Board, you will provide commercial insight, strategic challenge and financial leadership that supports sustainable growth and continuous improvement.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence and is passionate about leading high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the organisation’s long-term financial strategy, ensuring it supports strategic priorities and sustainable growth.
• Lead all aspects of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and financial performance across a complex multi-site organisation.
• Oversee the preparation of statutory accounts, external audit, internal audit and annual financial reporting.
• Produce high-quality management information, financial analysis and scenario modelling to support Executive and Board decision-making.
• Ensure robust financial governance, risk management and compliance with all statutory, regulatory and funding requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement across financial systems, controls and processes, driving efficiency and value for money.
• Develop effective treasury management and investment strategies to protect financial resilience and optimise resources.
• Build strong relationships with auditors, regulators, banks and external advisers.
• Provide strategic oversight of procurement, ensuring effective contract management, supplier performance and best-value purchasing.
• Lead the strategic management of estates, facilities and capital programmes, ensuring safe, compliant and sustainable environments.
• Oversee IT strategy, digital infrastructure, cyber security and business continuity to support organisational effectiveness.
• Lead, develop and inspire multidisciplinary teams across Finance, Procurement, Estates and IT.
• Support organisational growth, transformation and change through sound financial leadership and commercial insight.
• Work collaboratively with senior leaders to ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities and operational objectives.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and collaborative finance executive who is capable of operating strategically while maintaining a strong focus on governance, operational performance and continuous improvement.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• A recognised Chartered Accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• Significant senior leadership experience within a complex, multi-site organisation.
• A proven track record of developing and delivering long-term financial strategy.
• Extensive experience of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and statutory reporting.
• Strong knowledge of financial governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary corporate services, ideally including Procurement, Estates and IT.
• Exceptional commercial acumen with the ability to provide strategic financial advice to executive teams and boards.
• Experience managing organisational change and driving continuous improvement.
• Outstanding leadership skills with experience developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, combined with sound commercial judgement.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within the public, education, charity or not-for-profit sectors.
• Knowledge of governance and regulatory frameworks within publicly funded organisations.
• Experience overseeing estates, capital programmes or operational infrastructure.
• Understanding of digital transformation, cyber security and information governance.
• Experience supporting Boards, Audit Committees and senior governance forums.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at executive level and play a central role in shaping its future. You will influence strategic decision-making, lead a broad portfolio of corporate services and help ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable while delivering excellent outcomes for those it serves.

If you are an experienced finance leader with the strategic vision, commercial expertise and leadership capability to drive organisational success, we would welcome your application.

Salary: £150,000/£800 per day

Competitive, dependent on experience

Location:

Hybrid working, with regular travel to Trust offices and education sites in South East England

Contract:

Full Time/Part time – 3-6 months