Chief Finance Officer - Great Heights Academy Trust

About the Role

Chief Finance Officer – Head of Finance for the Great Heights Academy Trust, a multi‑academy trust with nine schools and a diverse portfolio including an English Hub, Research School, SCITT and Medical Needs provision.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all financial and commercial operations across the Trust.
• Shape Trust strategy, ensuring long‑term financial sustainability and enabling school improvement through robust financial planning, analysis and governance.
• Work closely with the CEO, Trustees and senior leaders to offer high‑quality professional advice and insight to support informed decision‑making.
• Lead the finance team, overseeing budgeting and forecasting, and ensuring accurate, timely financial reporting.
• Manage compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and lead asset management, procurement, value for money, risk management and external audit, embedding strong systems, controls and processes across the Trust.

Qualifications & Experience

• Confident, credible finance leader with strong strategic capability and excellent communication skills.
• Collaborative leadership style and ability to act as an ambassador for the Trust, championing its vision, culture and ethos both internally and externally.
• Experience at CFO level with a proven track record in managing large, multi‑site charitable organizations is desirable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Great Heights Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The Trust expects all staff to share this commitment. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online content checks, an enhanced DBS check, and satisfactory references. Great Heights Academy Trust strives to be an employer of choice, welcoming applications from candidates of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities. We ensure a fair recruitment process without discrimination, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.