Finance Partner

Thank you for your interest in the Trust role of Finance Partner. We believe that customer service is key, which is why this exciting new role is pivotal to our schools within the Bosco Catholic Education Trust. You will provide a collaborative working relationship with our Business Managers and finance staff in our schools to assist them in further understanding and managing their financial performance as well as suggesting improvement actions and other opportunities to help with their ever-stretched budgets.

This is an exciting time to be joining the Trust, as we continue to grow, with 13 schools already in the Trust, 5 more joining over the coming year, and an additional 15 planned. This will be the first dedicated Finance Partner post within the trust. Over time we would anticipate the central finance team will grow and so flexibility to a changing operating environment is a key requirement in the postholder as is the ability to establish their credibility with Business Managers and finance staff in each school.

We are looking for someone with exceptional interpersonal skills, who has experience in financial planning and analysis, has a ‘can-do’ attitude and gets excited about the details; delving into and analysing them to find solutions and creative ways to support our schools. A key priority will be to partner with and build strong and collaborative relationships with Business Managers and finance staff across the Trust and provide critical support to them.

More than just experience and qualifications, we are seeking someone who shares our ethos, values people, and demonstrates high emotional intelligence. The schools in Bosco CET are vibrant, diverse, and welcoming communities that uphold high standards and strive for excellence. As Finance Partner, your work will be crucial in the growth of the Trust and in supporting our schools to provide the best future for our children.

We are committed to investing in our staff and celebrating their contributions. If you believe this challenging but rewarding opportunity is the right fit for you, we would love to hear from you.

**PURPOSE OF THE ROLE**
- To build strong relationships with Business Managers and school finance teams across the organisation and support them in the effective operation of their financial responsibilities, including the production of budgets and forecasts in line with the timelines outlined in the Finance Manual.
- To undertake and support with various tasks as part of the monthly reporting cycle including, but not limited to; carrying out reconciliations, producing draft management reports, variance analysis and monthly budget monitoring.-To support with change management and the growth plans of the Trust and assist with undertaking ‘due diligence’ on future Trust schools.-Through analysis and reporting, help identify opportunities to improve financial performance that drives income and cost efficiency.

**MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Partner with and build strong and collaborative relationships with Business Managers and finance staff across the Trust so that they see this role as being a critical support to them, suggesting improvement actions and other opportunities to help with their ever-stretched budgets.
- Work closely with Business Managers on the production of detailed budgets with thorough analysis and reporting to ensure the drivers of the budget are fully understood and suitably challenged as appropriate.
- Ensure there are suitable financial models developed and in place that might be needed by schools for forward planning.
- Produce thorough, impactful and insightful financial analysis and reporting to support discussion and decisions that impact the schools’ finances and help to identify opportunities to improve financial performance to drive income and cost efficiency.
- Work with Business Managers to support them in completing their financial tasks as part of the monthly cycle on a timely basis; including but not limited to; carrying out reconciliations, producing draft management reports, variance analysis, monthly budget monitoring and production of commentary on monthly budget monitoring and analysis.
- Work with Business Managers and Headteachers to produce financial models for business cases to support in financial decisions.
- Support the school teams with understanding the financial impact of staffing structures and assist them in establishing the optimal structures for the individual school’s needs.
- Support the Business Managers in providing finance information to the Headteacher in order to influence strategic decision making within the school.
- Have a deep understanding of Bosco financial policies and procedures, helping Business Managers to comply with them and spotting any divergences.
- Support with the growth plans of the Trust, assisting with undertaking ‘due diligence’ on future Trust schools and onboarding of new schools into the Trust.

**WORKING TIME**
- Due to the nature of the rol