- To work alongside the CEO and assist the school's leadership team to ensure that each of our schools meet their educational aims.
- Be central to budget negotiations, budgetary control and compliance.
- Take a lead role in the planning, development, design, organisation and monitoring of the finance, technology and premises functions within the schools.
- To be responsible for leading and managing Trust finance and administrative staff.
- To establish commercial links with business that can generate educational benefits to students.
- To research and make recommendations regarding the strategic development of the Trust as a whole.
- This role requires the highest standards of professionalism at all times as well as high levels of literacy and numeracy.
Leadership and Strategy
- Attend Senior Leadership and Trust meetings across schools as required.
- Influence strategic decision making within the individual Schools' Leadership Team.
- Plan and manage change in accordance with the Schools' Improvement Plans.
- Prepare the publications and returns for the DfES, LEA and other agencies and stakeholders within statutory guidelines.
- Ensure that the schools make the best possible use of resources through effective planning, including consideration of all financial implications. Produce timely, sustainable reports.
- Ensure that the schools maximise income from all possible sources.
- Manage the financial interface between the schools
Finance and Administration Management
- Prepare a realistic and balanced budget for each of the schools in the academy for each academic year, working in consultation with the CEO.
- Work alongside the CEO to develop and prepare the 5 -year long term financial strategy.
- Actively monitor and control financial performance against the agreed budget and ensure that any significant variances are addressed and communicated to the CEO.
- Maintain a strategic financial plan that indicates the trends and requirements of the Schools' Improvement Plans and help to forecast future year budgets across the Trust.
- Work alongside the Operations Manager to ensure timely and effective management reports for each academy.
- Ensure the Multi Academy Trust has appropriate financial systems in place and manage these in accordance with the agreed policies and timetable; ensuring accurate financial records are maintained and reported to the DfE, ESFA, Companies' House and the Charity Commission.
- Ensure the effective implementation and operation of financial controls within the schools and Trust, and ensure these adhere to policies.
- Keep appropriate financial records and comply with Retention Guidelines.
- Prepare cash-flow forecasts to ensure that the schools cash positions are consistent with their obligations.
- Assist and supervise other staff in the operation of the Trust's financial systems.
- Ensure prompt and efficient completion of financial returns as required.
- Act as the key contact for the internal and external auditors.
- Review expenditure such as salary reports in the Trust and payment runs.
- Use benchmarking to measure and improve efficiency across the schools in the Trust.
- Maximise income through grants, lettings and other activities.
- Present timely and fully costed proposals, recommendations or bids.
- Work in conjunction with the Operations Manager to negotiate commercial contracts with external suppliers to ensure value for money.
- Complete the annual internal controls self-assessment for all schools in the Trust.
- Work in conjunction with the Operations Manager to manage legal issues and insurance claims as required.
- Track and analyse Pupil Premium expenditure and efficiency in all the schools in the Trust.
- Manage and operate the payroll system with accuracy and efficiency.