Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer
Cheshire College South & west
Cheshire College -South & West is the largest provider of post-16 education in the region, offering exciting opportunities to over 11,000 learners and 1,000 Apprentices, who all have access to world-class facilities as a result of a £160m investment in the latest technology and real working environments, at modern Campuses in Ellesmere Port, Crewe and Chester. The College is well advanced in delivering a further £30m capital investment programme to ensure learners continue to have access to the best possible resources and environment.
The College has been the lead College for the region for Local Skills Improvement Funding and Skills Development Funding 1 & 2. The new £15m Cheshire & Warrington Institute of Technology (IoT) was secured by the College, which will create new higher technology facilities across colleges in the region. In addition the College secured substantial external grant funding which has allowed a significant decarbonisation programme across all three Campuses.
Cheshire College South & West is a dynamic, high quality and financially robust College, which provides learners with the skills, experience and qualifications that will prepare them for their future career or higher-level study, encouraging them to become confident individuals who will make valuable contributions to businesses and the local economy.
The College is also proud of its strong links with local Employers such as Bentley Motors, Vauxhall Motors, SP Energy Networks, Ecolab and Unilever to ensure learners have access to work placements and industry professionals as well as ensuring the curriculum offer remains current and relevant to local, regional and national needs.
Our impressive facilities are the perfect place for learners to meet new friends and be immersed in an environment that is ideal for learning.
Our Ellesmere Port Campus boasts industry-standard facilities which include impressive tennis courts and a fitness gym, training kitchens, The Academy West restaurant, Deli, hair and beauty salons, an aircraft cabin, a 150-seat theatre, engineering & construction workshops and motor vehicle facilities with industry-quality ramps and a Plug-in Hybrid Electrical Vehicle (PHEV) bay.
As well as our modern classrooms, our Crewe Campus boasts industry-standard facilities which include a multi-purpose sports hall, climbing wall, fitness gym, TV and Radio studios with specialist equipment, The Academy Restaurant, hair and beauty salons, a 260-seat theatre and engineering and construction workshops. £11m of capital refurbishment and new build programme is due to commence on Campus in April 2024 completion in June 20245.
Our Chester Campus boasts industry-standard facilities which include impressive art and design workshops, science laboratories, 4K video recording equipment and the Digital Hub, which not only benefits our Business, IT and Fashion Communication students, but also the wider community, providing access to technology such as virtual reality (VR) headsets, 3D printers and life-size robotics.
Our strong links across all campuses with local employers ensure that each student has access to fantastic work placements and industry professionals that will help them succeed in their future.
We aim to provide our students with the skills, experience and qualifications that will prepare them for their future careers or higher-level study at the College or university.
We encourage our students to become confident individuals who will make valuable contributions to businesses and the local economy in their future careers.
supporting businesses to succeed and communities to thrive.
Our values are very important to us -they guide the way we work with each other, our partners and within our communities. Take time to listen, help and care
• Value and celebrate diversity
• Strive for exceptional quality and success
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Cheshire College South and West is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Chief Financial Officer
Ellesmere Port with travel to all campuses
Finance, Risk Management, Audit
Are of the highest possible quality in terms of service and learner, staff and employer satisfaction.
Reflect the vision, mission, aims and values of the College.
Provide strong, positive and inspirational leadership at Executive Leadership Team (ELT) level to promote quality improvement in response to feedback from learners, parents, partners, employers, staff, inspectors and accrediting bodies on the quality of services.
Provide clear day-to-day leadership of the finance function to ensure it meets the needs of the learners and staff, delivering a high standard of support and service, in line with the standards and expectations required throughout the College.
Undertake a strong and supportive line management function including performance management, individual and team development in line with the College's policies and procedures.
Ensure College policies are developed, reviewed and implemented in line with the legislative framework, AoC guidelines and educational standards (e.g., Ofsted).
Plan and ensure successful delivery of the College's strategic objectives and improvement plan through the development and delivery of a dynamic and responsive plan for areas of responsibility.
To ensure cash-flow, funds, treasury management and lending arrangements (including bank covenants) are well managed and controlled, including the management of the relationship with the College's bankers and external and internal auditors.
Attend all the following Corporation Meetings: Full Corporation, Finance & Resources Committee and Audit & Risk Committee.
Meet regularly with the Chairs of Finance & Resources and the Audit & Risk Committees to ensure Committee Chairs discuss matters related to finance, risk and audit as well as to provide specific updates on Managing Public Money.
To lead on the College's financial governance and risk management obligations, through the development of robust systems to deliver the statutory and regulatory imperatives set by funding agencies and other bodies to which the College is accountable.
To lead on the management of strategic and operational risks across the College through the design and development of processes, systems and working practices that enable the identification of risks and provide effective risk management.
To oversee the production of the College's annual statutory accounts, ensuring compliance with accounting and other reporting standards.
To lead on the College's strategic financial planning, procurement, accounting and financial stability, ensuring a robust framework of financial management and contract compliance.
To lead on the development of a business systems improvement strategy which supports curriculum delivery and the long-term financial sustainability of the College.
To be compliant with the College Health and Safety Policy, responsible and accountable for health and safety standards in your area and for staff and others who use the areas under your control.
Reflect the vision, mission, aims and values of the College.
Contribute to the development of and ensure compliance with college policies, procedures and agreements.
Contribute to College strategic and operational management through participation in formal committees and meetings, lead working parties and work closely with ELT on resolving College wide challenges.
Contribute actively to the risk management.
Promote and implement the College's strategies on equality, diversity and safeguarding.
Undertake appropriate staff development activities that support personal development and the changing needs of the College and its environment.
Be aware of and be responsive to, the changing nature of the College and adopt a flexible and proactive approach to work.
Network across the UK to seek out outstanding and sector leading practice in both curriculum and functional areas that will ensure the College is at the forefront of innovation and development.
Recognise, celebrate and share best practice across the College to ensure all curriculum and functional areas operate to a consistently outstanding level.
Represent the College externally and develop appropriate business relationships with other organisations and represent the College on regional and national bodies.
Represent the College on School and/or Trust Governing Bodies.
Carry out Duty Manager responsibilities on a rota as part of the duty team.
Undertake such other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with this grade at any College location.
You will be degree qualified with a relevant accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA CIPFA) with demonstrable evidence of continuous professional development.
Evidence of continuous professional development specific to strategic leadership of corporate services.
Valid full UK Driving Licence.
Evidence of continuous professional development on strategic issues facing the further education sector.
Record of success in a senior financial leadership role in a customer centric organisation of significant scale and complexity.
Significant prior responsibility for financial control and reporting, to include the consolidation of accounts and Board reporting.
Managing quality processes and procedures to secure improvements and high achievements.
Proven track record and success of working with multiple revenue sources and previous experience of delivering innovative solutions and continuous improvement across finance and wider operational activities.
Robust data analysis of complex information to inform quality improvement, manage risk, assess commercial opportunities to ensure effective and efficient use of college resources.
Experience of capital investment and treasury functions with accountability for regulatory compliance, audit and risk management.
A strong track record of building productive partnerships that deliver sustainable revenue streams.
An understanding of how to deliver outstanding inspection results in a challenging financial climate.
An excellent leader with proven results with strong team building skills.
A proven record of innovative use of digital technologies to enhance teaching, learning, assessment and support with exceptional IT skills.
Industrial/commercial experience.
Emotional intelligence, self-awareness and confidence.
The leadership qualities necessary to inspire others to embrace and implement plans with energy and enthusiasm with a Commitment to on-going professional development for self and others.
Accuracy and attention to detail with a flexible approach to working.
Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to quality of opportunity and treatment for all members of the College community.
Annual Holidays
The annual leave entitlement is 35 days per annum, plus recognised public holidays.
Pension Scheme
The holder of this post will have access to an LGPS or Teachers Pension.
Process Date Close for Applications 9:00am Monday 22 nd April 2024 Interviews with Dodd Partners w/c 29 th April 2024 Shortlist Meeting Early May 2024 Interviews with Cheshire College Mid May 2024
The recruitment process is being undertaken by Dodd Partners on behalf of Cheshire College South & West.