Background - summary of the role

Opportunities to join a highly successful, strong and stable Multi-Academy Trust don’t come around very often. Due to the planned retirement of our existing and highly respected Chief Operating Officer, we are searching for an exceptional strategic leader to join our values-driven organisation.

This is more than a finance role; it’s the chance to influence the future direction of the Trust, ensuring resources and people are aligned to strategic objectives. Beyond every spreadsheet and operational decision is a child whose future we are helping to shape, and our new CFOO needs to be committed to that mission.

Leading at scale across our Trust, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and overseeing the financial sustainability and operational effectiveness of our business services, with a portfolio including finance, estates, HR, IT and data protection. Statutory and regulatory compliance is a key part of this role, requiring in-depth knowledge and rigorous attention to detail.

Qualifications

As a fully qualified accountant with a strong track record of strategic and operational leadership at senior level, you will have commercial acumen, sound judgement and embody the John Taylor MAT values. With excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to gain credibility and influence others, you will be a strategic and creative thinker, whilst also being hands-on to translate that into action.

Responsibilities

Supported by a reporting line of committed and capable directors of functions, you will be joining a friendly and professional team who work hard. You will be stepping into a role with strong foundations already in place and the opportunity to build on this success.

If you’re ambitious and looking for the next step in your career and want to make a significant contribution to our future, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Full Job Description as found in the CFOO Recruitment Pack

Responsible to:John Taylor MAT Chief Executive Officer.

Responsible for: Directors of Estates, Finance, HR, Technology & Information. Strategic Finance Manager.

Key relationships:CEO, Trust Board, Directorate, Headteachers, Business & Office Managers, Central Team.

Liaising with:Trust School staff / external providers / suppliers

Statement of Purpose

Provide strategic leadership across all Trust finance and operations, delivering a high-quality business service with the infrastructure and systems to support educational excellence across all JTMAT schools. The Chief Finance & Operations Officer will lead on operational strategy ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance with rigorous accountability.

The postholder will be required to act as Company Secretary and fulfil associated statutory duties.

Key Responsibilities

This is a profile of the role and is not intended to be a task list.

Strategic Leadership

Work in close partnership with the John Taylor MAT CEO and other senior leaders to shape, deliver and monitor strategic priorities, driving continuous improvement and value for money.
Work effectively with the Trust Board and CEO providing assurance on financial probity and sustainability, risk management, compliance and statutory reporting.
Oversee operations of the Central Team business functions with clear and measurable objectives, to ensure outstanding service provision to our schools.
Lead Support Staff across the Trust building capacity, capability and confidence through strong collaboration with school-based colleagues.
Commission and lead on the Trust’s internal and external audit programme.
Attend and contribute to the Trust Board and Trust committee meetings, providing clear accurate and timely information through high-quality reporting.

Business Services

Finance

Lead on all aspects of financial planning, investment, management, and associated risk and liabilities.
Ensure comprehensive and accurate financial accounts and returns are produced, approved and filed to meet deadlines.
Ensure a robust system of financial planning and control across the Trust, aligned with strategic planning, policies and statutory guidance.
Anticipate, identify and address financial opportunities and risks to safeguard the Trust.

Estates

Provide strategic leadership of Estates, health and safety, capital planning and bids, including current and future strategic developments.
Responsibility for annual statutory returns relating to land and buildings, under the framework of Good Estates Management, and other associated statutory guidance.
Support the identification and planning of complex capital developments to agreed deadlines, budgets and levels of service.
Ensure effective systems are in place for all school sites to remain operational, dry and safe.
Ensure effective and compliant tendering and management of contracts.
Lead on the development and implementation of a Climate Action Plan, ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability across the Trust.

Human Resources

Provide strategic leadership for HR, supporting the development and implementation of the Trust’s people strategy.
Promote John Taylor MAT Values to embed a positive culture.
Ensure employment policies reflect current legislation and are fair and equitable.
Oversight and authorisation of payroll, ensuring appropriate rigour over decisions at all levels.
Ensure effective arrangements are in place to recruit, select, deploy and develop staff.

Technology & Information

Provide strategic leadership for IT, supporting the development and implementation of the Trust’s IT and digital transformation strategy .
Ensure robust systems are in place to comply with data protection legislation.
Ensure the security and integrity of the Trust’s IT systems through the maintenance of cyber security measures.
Oversight of compliance with data protection legislation ensuring electronic and working systems adhere to the principles of the law.

Line Management

Line management responsibility for identified staff.
Undertake regular supervision meetings of direct reports, leading and coaching colleagues to meet standards and achieve objectives.
Lead direct reports through performance management process, ensuring timely and development feedback.
Devise and support continuous professional development of direct reports, to drive excellence in business services to our schools.

Trust Growth

Identify, evaluate and lead operational due diligence for growth opportunities.
Explore and recommend income generation opportunities.
Act as a representative of the Trust in external networks and forums, raising the profile of JTMAT and engaging with professional networks.
Ensure that the Trust is alert to information, changes or opportunities that could impact operations.

Other duties

Lead the Business & Office Manager network within the Trust.
Make an active contribution to Executive Group and Central Team meetings, induction training and staff probation and review processes.
Actively engage in own professional development and participate in the Trust’s performance management arrangements, via the School IP system.
Support the training of other colleagues within the Central Team and across the Trust where appropriate, to share knowledge and expertise.

Professional Accountabilities (this list is not exhaustive and should reflect the ethos of the Trust)

The post holder is required to be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

In addition, they are to contribute to the achievement of the school’s objectives through:

Safeguarding

Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons you are responsible for or come into contact with.

Financial Management

Personally accountable for delivering services efficiently, efficiently within budget and to implement any approved savings and investment allocated to the service area.

People Management

To comply and engage with people management policies and processes.
Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school.
Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other agencies/professionals.
Attend and participate in regular meetings.
Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
Recognise own strengths, areas of expertise and use these to advise and support others.

Equalities

Ensure that all work is completed with a commitment to equality and anti-discriminatory practice, as a minimum to standards required by legislation.

Health and Safety

Ensure a work environment that protects people’s health and safety and that promotes welfare and which is in accordance with the Health and Safety policy.

JOHN TAYLOR MAT Jobs

Chief Finance & Operations Officer (CFOO)