Chief Finance Officer

West Yorkshire

An ambitious and values-led multi-academy trust in West Yorkshire is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to join its executive leadership team during an exciting period of growth and development.

About the Trust

This established multi-academy trust operates across primary and secondary education, supporting academies in multiple local authorities across West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. The Trust is driven by a clear moral purpose: to transform life chances and deliver excellence for every child, every day, underpinned by values of integrity, ambition, and inclusion.

Operating through a collaborative partnership model, the Trust values strong leadership, high-performing staff, and deep community engagement. Each academy retains its unique identity while benefiting from central expertise, shared best practice, and robust school-to-school support.

The Opportunity

As Chief Finance Officer, you will play a pivotal strategic role in shaping the Trust’s long-term sustainability and growth. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with Trustees, you will lead all aspects of financial strategy, governance, and operational finance, ensuring that resources are deployed effectively to maximise educational impact.

This role offers a rare opportunity to influence decision-making at the highest level of a mission-driven organisation and to be a key architect of its future success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust’s financial strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability and value for money
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance across all academies
• Act as a strategic adviser to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board of Trustees
• Ensure strong financial governance, compliance, and risk management
• Lead and develop a high-performing central finance function
• Support growth opportunities, including academy development and strategic investment
• Champion robust systems, controls, and transparent financial reporting

The Ideal Candidate

You will be a strategic, credible, and values-driven finance leader with:

• Senior-level financial leadership experience (education or wider public sector advantageous)
• Strong knowledge of financial governance, compliance, and risk
• Proven ability to operate effectively at board level
• Experience leading, developing, and inspiring finance teams
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to improving life chances through education

Why Join?

• Be part of a mission-led Trust with a clear and compelling vision
• Influence strategy at executive and trustee level
• Work within a culture that values integrity, ambition, and inclusion
• Make a tangible difference to children, young people, and communities
• Join a Trust that invests in leadership, partnership, and continuous improvement

Safeguarding Commitment

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safeguarding checks and an enhanced DBS check.

If interested, please apply above, we would love to hear from you!