As Chief Financial Officer, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the college's financial affairs, ensuring long‑term financial sustainability and the responsible stewardship of public funds. You will lead all aspects of financial management, including planning, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, financial control, and reporting, while acting as a trusted advisor to the Principal CEO and Board on all financial matters. A key focus of the role is to ensure that robust, fit‑for‑purpose financial systems, controls, and policies are in place to support effective governance and informed decision‑making. You will be responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and transparent financial information to the Board, Executive, the Department for Education, and other stakeholders, ensuring full compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Working closely with the Principal CEO in their role as Accounting Officer, you will provide assurance on financial regularity, propriety, and value for money, supporting them to fulfil their responsibilities. You will also lead on risk management, internal control frameworks, and financial compliance, including managing relationships with internal and external auditors. This role is central to maintaining the college's financial health and ensuring it operates within its financial authority while delivering high‑quality educational outcomes. You will play a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives, supporting investment decisions, and identifying opportunities for efficiency and continuous improvement across the organisation.
Responsibilities
- Be ambitious for the college, learners and staff.
- Provide positive and inspirational leadership.
- Ensure all areas of responsibility are learner focussed supporting the college to deliver high quality learning experiences and outcomes.
- Support the Principal CEO to develop policy & strategy.
- Achieve the relevant strategic and operational objectives.
- Ensure decision making is collaborative where possible, takes account of the views of colleagues and supports a positive working environment, delivering high quality experiences for learners.
- Be a visible presence in the college to both learners and staff and have a deep understanding of the way the college works and any challenges that need to be addressed.
- Be proactive and positive in partnership working with external stakeholders recognising opportunities for the socio‑economic development of the wider community.
- Lead the development and delivery of the College's Financial Strategy, aligned to its strategic plan and curriculum priorities ensuring that the college's finances and resources are supporting high‑quality learning experiences and outcomes whilst remaining sustainable for the future.
- Provide high‑quality financial advice and insight to the Principal CEO, Board, and Senior Leaders to inform decision‑making.
- Contribute fully as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to the overall leadership and direction of the College.
- Oversee the preparation of annual budgets, medium and long‑term financial plans, and financial forecasts.
- Ensure robust financial controls, policies, and procedures are in place and operating effectively.
- Deliver accurate and timely management accounts, statutory financial statements, and financial returns.
- Ensure full compliance with all relevant funding, regulatory, and audit requirements.
- Where appropriate act as the principal contact for external auditors, funding bodies, and regulatory agencies.
- Drive financial sustainability through effective cost management, efficiency, and value‑for‑money initiatives.
- Support the development of new income streams, including apprenticeships, adult provision, and commercial activity.
- Lead on financial risk management and oversee the College's risk management framework.
- Lead, develop, and inspire a high‑performing finance and MIS team.
- Promote financial awareness and accountability across the organisation.
Skills & Expertise
- Fully qualified Chartered accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- MBA or similar qualification (Desirable)
- Significant experience in a senior financial leadership role within a complex organisation
- Proven track record of delivering financial sustainability and strategic financial planning
- Strong understanding of financial governance, audit and regulatory compliance
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience of leading financial transformation, efficiency, or recovery programmes
- Strategic and commercial acumen
- High levels of integrity and professional judgement
- Analytical and problem‑solving capability
- Ability to influence and challenge at Executive and Board level
- Collaborative, inclusive and values‑lead leadership
- Experience within Further Education or a publicly funded education environment
- Knowledge of government funding methodologies, including DfE 16‑19, adult education and apprenticeships
- Experience of working effectively with Boards or governing bodies
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