Leadership Pay Scale – L22 (£86,803pa) – L25 (£93,424pa)* (*pay award pending)

We are currently seeking a values-driven Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to be responsible for the financial development and sustainability of Lunesdale Learning Trust. The CFO will drive internal excellence by providing strong financial leadership, guidance and stewardship to deliver the organisation’s financial objectives.

This rewarding role involves working directly with the Trust Leader (CEO) and Chief Operations Officer (COO), our Trust Board and our central team. This role is vital to the financial stability and growth of the Trust which supports our pupils, colleagues and school communities.

The successful candidate would be joining our Trust at an exciting time of growth, moving from circa. £12M pa turnover to circa £50M pa, with the future planned onboarding of 3 additional secondary schools and a primary school, in Phase 1 of our growth strategy, with phase 2 and phase 3 planning established.

The role supports the leadership and finance staff within the central team and school level in performing their roles, ensuring that the Trust operates outstanding financial compliance and governance in line with the Academy Trust Handbook and the annual accounts directives.

We are looking for someone who is/has:

An experienced and fully qualified accountant. Whilst financial experience of the education sector is preferred, this is not essential.
A values-driven, strategic problem-solver who wants to make a difference.
A proven track record in leading and developing a team successfully.
The ability to prioritise your workload and the associated teams whilst maintaining accuracy and meeting key deadlines.
Strong working knowledge of financial management systems and ability to project accurate cashflow forecasts.
An analytical approach with the ability to respond effectively to the changing landscape of educational funding.
An ability to establish robust, accurate and sustainable financial management and monitoring systems to support the ambitious growth of our Trust.

Lunesdale Learning Trust is a special place as not only do we serve our current two schools, we also provide finance, payroll and HR services to 10-partner schools. Presently, LLT is filled with over 1500 inspirational young people and nearly 250 expert staff. We have an unrelenting focus on excellence, based on positive and engaging relationships. QES, as one of the best schools in the country, has served our community since 1591 and we treat the custodianship of our scholarship and care as a gift. A gift that enables us to metamorphosise the life chances of all of our students.

Lunesdale Learning Trust is at the point of significant growth, with an extremely active and ambitious growth strategy which will take us from our two founding schools to a trust of seven secondary schools and their cluster primary school partners. We are a values based, community focused, cross-phase multi-academy trust serving Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Lancashire.

As a Trust, we believe every young person deserves the space, support and challenge to thrive. Our trust brings together schools across the North with a shared commitment to excellence, inclusion and community – creating a partnership where every learner’s future is strengthened by the collective expertise of many.

Our founding schools, QES and QEStudio, come together to allow us to provide a balance between academic, vocational and technical learning, giving our students the skills, qualifications and experiences to be the best in the country.

If you wish to be a part of a values based, community focussed, ethically led organisation, we want to hear from you!

If you wish to apply, please fully complete all sections of the application accessed via the link below:

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/chief-financial-officer-kirkby-lonsdale-cumbria-2335539

including a full employment and education history, two references and a covering letter/ supporting statement by 9:00am on Thursday 30th July 2026. Interviews will be held on 4th August 2026.

In your supporting statement/covering letter we would like you to include:

a statement as to why this particular job appeals to you.
an outline of your relevant experience
a discussion of the personal and professional qualities which you believe suit you for this post

We would encourage all potential applicants to read the attached documents and to browse our websites to get a fuller flavour of life at this very special place.

We do hope you will take the time to apply. This is a marvellous place to work and this is a very exciting opportunity.

Mr David Waugh, Executive Headteacher and Trust Leader

If you require further information or wish to discuss the post, please do feel free to get in touch on 015242 71275 or by email to recruitment@qes.org.uk

The Lunesdale Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), other statutory required clearance and reference checks with previous employers.

QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, KIRKBY LONSDALE

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