Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Hybrid – 2 days on site (Sidcup, Kent) / 3 days remote
Starting salary - £141,442 + Benefits
Full Time – Permanent
- Are you an experienced finance leader, able to drive sustainability across a complex, multi-site organisation?
- Do you enjoy balancing strategic oversight with operational delivery, ensuring that ambition is both achievable and affordable?
- Do you have experience within the education or public sector, with a strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk?
If yes, then this may be the opportunity for you!
The Organisation
I am proud to be working on a retained basis with The Kemnal Academy Trust (TKAT) to recruit their permanent CFO.
TKAT is a family of schools driven by a deep ambition for every child and a strong sense of pride in the communities they serve. They equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead lives of opportunity and meaningful contribution through a broad, rich, and inclusive education. Central to this mission is the recognition that it is their talented and dedicated staff who make this vision a reality.
As one of the largest Multi-Academy Trusts in the UK, TKAT brings together more than 3,500 colleagues working collaboratively to support over 22,000 children and young people across 45 school communities.
Driven by a shared purpose to inspire learners and change lives, the Trust combines deep local community presence with scale, collaboration and system leadership. Across its family of schools, TKAT champions high-quality teaching, leadership development and a strong culture of school-to-school support.
Now entering an exciting new chapter of strategic growth and investment, TKAT is seeking a Chief Financial Officer who can help ensure financial sustainability, robust governance and commercial integrity, enabling the Trust to continue delivering exceptional education outcomes and maximise its impact.
The Role
As a key member of the Executive team, the CFO will act as a strategic partner to the CEO, Board and Audit & Risk Committee, leading on Finance, Estates, Procurement and Risk across the Trust.
This role is pivotal in ensuring long-term financial health, operational resilience, and effective resource management across a complex, multi-site environment.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Leading long-term financial strategy, including multi-year planning and scenario modelling
- Overseeing annual budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting and audit processes
- Ensuring strong financial controls and compliance with regulatory frameworks
- Driving effective treasury and cashflow management to maintain resilience
- Leading the Trust-wide estates strategy, ensuring assets are safe, compliant and fit for purpose
- Overseeing capital programmes, maintenance planning and estate utilisation
- Leading procurement strategy and contract management to ensure value for money
- Developing and maintaining robust risk management and assurance frameworks
- Supporting the Audit & Risk Committee with clear, transparent reporting
- Acting as a trusted adviser to the CEO and Board on financial, commercial and risk matters
- Partnering with senior leaders to support strategic decision-making and growth
About You
The successful candidate will ideally have:
- A recognised accounting qualification (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Significant senior financial leadership experience, ideally within education, public sector or a complex multi-site organisation
- Strong knowledge of financial governance, compliance and audit requirements
- A proven track record in financial planning, budgeting and resource management in a constrained funding environment
- Experience overseeing corporate services including estates, procurement and risk
- The ability to operate as a strategic partner, influencing at Board and Executive level
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to build credibility and drive performance across diverse teams
- High levels of integrity, professionalism and sound judgement
Desirable:
- Experience within a Multi-Academy Trust environment
- Knowledge of academy financial regulations and reporting requirements
- Experience leading system or process improvements across finance or operations
Their Commitment
TKAT is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. They actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
To Apply
To find out more, apply via the link below or contact me via mark.pryor@investigo.co.uk
- Closing date - Sunday 26th April
- First Stage interview 7th & 8th May
- Second Stage interview - week commencing the 11th & 18th
Please note: all successful candidates must have full, unrestricted UK work rights.
Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
