Head of Finance

About the Role
This is an important role within the Trust's management structure. It carries the expected level of accounting responsibilities, but of equal importance is high quality communication and relationship development with schools within the Trust structure. We see this role as a great opportunity for an aspiring finance professional to further develop their skills and experience in a supportive and receptive environment. The role holder will be tasked with leading key committees and providing expert financial guidance to the Trust Board and Head Teachers.
Role Purpose

As the Head of Finance at The Good Shepherd Trust, you will provide strategic financial leadership that balances operational excellence with a values-driven approach rooted in the spirit of Cumbria — community, integrity, and sustainability.

Your leadership will ensure strong financial planning, effective systems, and compliance across the Trust, while inspiring a culture where finance is accessible, empowering, and collaborative. Spreading the finance culture throughout the group to turn finance into an enabler rather than a
barrier will be central to your mission, helping every part of the organisation to thrive with confidence and clarity.

You will play a key role in supporting growth and innovation, ensuring that the Trust's financial function reflects both professional rigour and a compassionate ethos. Alongside robust controls and sound governance, you will lead the finance team — one that embodies excellence, efficiency, and a deep connection to the communities we serve. This is a role for a leader who wants to make a meaningful impact — combining strategic influence with a softer lifestyle perspective inspired by Cumbria's unique sense of place and purpose.
Principle Responsibilities

Financial Leadership and Strategy

● Work closely and provide strategic recommendations to the CEO and members of the executive team to craft and execute comprehensive financial strategies aligned with the trust's mission and vision.

● Drive financial decision-making processes, emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.

● Lead the statutory audit process to maintain rigorous financial standards.

● Provide complex information required for DFE reporting and oversee financial tasks across all schools.

● Conduct cross-trust financial development training, tailoring programs to varying skill levels among school-based staff.

● Manage financial risk and maintain an up-to-date risk register, ensuring proactive management of financial challenges.

● Play an active role in the trust's growth plans, conducting financial due diligence on potential new schools and overseeing financial on-boarding processes.

Organisational Responsibilities

● To be responsible for the strategic planning, development, design, organisation and monitoring of financial support services and whole Trust systems/procedures/policies.

● In partnership with the CEO and Executive Leaders support the conversion of new schools into the Trust including overseeing due diligence for all financial and infrastructure aspects.

● Audit all financial functions across the Trust and recommend new structures to meet evolving needs.

● To promote financial awareness throughout the Trust.

● To interpret matters of policy/procedure/statute and ensure the Trust's compliance and initiate appropriate action.

● To identify and implement opportunities for collaborative working across the MAT and other schools, academies and Trusts.

Financial Planning

● Use analysis and complex financial information in relation to the Trust to develop solutions, plans and strategies that create medium, and long-term success.

● Develop and execute long-term financial plans, considering growth, capital investment, and risk management.

● As financial lead in the strategic planning process, deliver annual and medium-term budget plans, periodic forecasts and funding requirements, working closely with the CEO, Deputy CEO and Principals to ensure consistency with the Trust's strategic and financial objectives.

● Monitor financial performance against strategic objectives.

● To manage the income and expenditure budgets across the Trust in line with the Scheme of Delegation to identify any potential financial risk and implement strategies to address issues arising.

Team Leadership

● Lead and manage the finance team, including line management and the development and quality assurance and oversight of financial systems and procedures. nurturing a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

● Oversee the professional development and performance of financial staff.

Finance Systems and Budget Setting

● Implement robust finance systems and processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

● Collaborate with school leaders to develop annual budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.

● Monitor budget performance and recommend adjustments as necessary.

Monitoring and Reporting

● Prepare accurate and easy to read financial reports, forecasts, and analyses for internal and external stakeholders.

● Monitor financial performance against targets, identifying areas for improvement.

● Present financial updates at board meetings and contribute to strategic discussions.

Internal and External Audits

● Lead internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

● Facilitate a robust audit process in collaboration with external auditors.

● Implement audit recommendations to enhance financial controls.

Committee Participation and Deputisation

● Attend and actively contribute to finance committee.

● Participate in key committee meetings presenting relevant agenda items.

Stakeholder Engagement

● Engage closely with internal stakeholders, including directors, members, and senior leadership teams.

● Interface with external regulators, such as the Department for Education (DfE) and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

School Support

● Collaborate with school leaders to understand financial requirements and challenges.

● Provide guidance to school-based finance staff, ensuring compliance with trust policies and best practices.

● Facilitate financial training and capacity-building for school staff.

● Act as a trusted advisor to school leaders, promoting financial sustainability and effective resource allocation.

● Assess financial viability during due diligence for new schools joining the trust.

● Facilitate the smooth financial integration of newly onboarded schools.

Regulatory Compliance

● Ensure that the Trust is compliant with the Academies Trust Handbook and the Trust's own policies.

● Have responsibility for the consolidated monthly management accounts and lead on the production of the annual accounts.

● Responsible for all key submissions to DFE, and other regulators.

● Take the lead on statutory reporting and returns, including the consolidated Trust's statutory accounts, budgetary and financial returns to VAT and other returns to HMRC and any pension or other returns that are necessary from time to time.

● Compile and provide complex information required for DFE reporting.

● Have oversight over financial tasks and reporting prepared and conducted at all schools.

Month-End Reporting and Management Accounts

● Conduct month-end reporting activities to provide timely insights into financial performance.

● Prepare accurate management accounts reflecting the financial status of the trust.

● Monitor financial performance against targets, identifying areas for improvement.

● Present financial updates at board meetings and contribute to strategic discussions.

Functionally Manage Payroll and Pensions

● Functionally manage the Trust's payroll process in collaboration with the outsourced payroll provider, ensuring accuracy and compliance,

● Coordinate with pension actuaries to assess Trust pension scheme valuations and include them in statutory accounts.

● Provide support on payroll matters including HMRC queries, National Insurance, and benefits management.

● Implement controls to ensure payroll integrity and conduct regular checks for accuracy.

● Lead employer pension matters including scheme administration and regulatory compliance.

Procurement and Value for Money

● Lead the procurement strategy and ensure all policies and procedures for buying and ordering supplies and services are robust, fully compliant and operate highly efficiently, generating economies of scale and value for money.

● Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with the trust's goals and objectives.

● Collaborate with school leaders to identify procurement needs and priorities.

● Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers to negotiate favourable terms and contracts.

● Evaluate procurement processes to optimise efficiency and effectiveness.

● Ensure compliance with procurement regulations and policies.

● Monitor and review procurement practices to identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings

The above principal accountabilities are not exhaustive and may vary without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility. The postholder must be flexible to ensure the operational needs of the Trust are met. This includes the undertaking of duties of a similar nature and responsibility as and when required, throughout the various workplaces in the Trust.

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