Supporting Education Group is the UK's leading education services platform, providing the technology, expertise and resources that help schools, trusts and education organisations deliver high‑quality learning for all.
Our Qualifications & Training practice plays a central role in this mission by delivering high‑quality training, qualifications and professional development for educators across the UK and internationally. Through evidence‑informed programmes spanning teacher development, leadership training and vocational pathways, the team equips staff with the skills, confidence and support they need to progress in their careers and thrive in the sector.
By strengthening professional capability and enabling continuous growth, we help build a resilient, skilled education workforce prepared to make a positive impact on learners.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Head of Financial Operations to lead and strengthen our core finance operations. This is a senior role within the finance leadership team, responsible for ensuring robust financial control, efficient processes, and high‑quality financial reporting as the organisation continues to evolve and grow.
Reporting to the Finance Director for the Qualifications & Training practice in Supporting Education Group, you will own the end‑to‑end financial operations function for the practice, overseeing day‑to‑day finance activities while driving continuous improvement and best practice across systems, controls, and teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all core financial operations including AP, AR and credit control
- Hands on support with some of the operational processes, in particular AR and credit control are likely to be required
- Re‑organisation of activity across team members to streamline and standardise and future proof for growth
- Ensure compliance with tax, and regulatory requirements;
- Maintain and enhance strong financial controls, policies, and governance frameworks
- Drive process improvement, automation, and finance systems optimisation
- Develop and lead a high‑performing finance operations team
- Fostering a culture of collaboration and support in a time of change for the finance function
- Support financial reporting team with preparation of short and medium term cashflow forecasts
About You
- Professionally qualified (or equivalent experience), with experience in a growing or multi‑entity environment
- Proven experience leading Finance Operations (AP, AR and Credit Control teams – c.10+ people), driving performance and team development
- Strong knowledge of financial controls, governance and UK regulatory compliance
- Hands‑on operational capability, able to step into processes and resolve issues quickly
- Track record of improving processes, standardisation and automation with measurable impact (e.g. cash collection, efficiency)
- Experience leading teams through change, including restructures, system improvements or integrations
- Commercially aware, with a focus on cashflow, working capital and stakeholder collaboration
- M&A integration experience beneficial
- This is a hybrid role, and requires 3-days working on‑site from our offices in central Bristol
Benefits that actually make a difference
28 days' holiday + bank holidays plus an extra day for every year you stay (up to 33) and option to buy up to 5 more days (all pro‑rata for part time roles)
Enhanced paid family leave (after probation pass) to help new parents and long‑term carers
Medical cash plan (after probation pass) making contributions towards everyday health costs such as dental, optical and prescriptions
Life insurance from day one (up to 4x salary) PLUS free wellbeing support with access to 24/7 GP, counselling, medical second opinions, physiotherapy and lifestyle coaching
Pension contributions from both of us (after 3 months)
Discounts access to different options to help your money go further
Flexible benefits you choose such as extra holiday, healthcare, bikes, gym, electric cars & Give As You Earn (after probation pass)
Learn & grow with us we invest in your development with ongoing learning, training and career growth opportunities
Volunteer days 3 paid volunteer days each year, with two dedicated to education
By joining Supporting Education Group, you will become part of a community that is dedicated to transforming lives and sustaining communities, where your voice is heard, your ideas are valued, and your individuality is celebrated. Together, we will continue to advance our passion for education and build brighter futures for all.
Employment offers are subject to satisfactory vetting checks. These checks will be run in line with the latest guidance and legislation. You will need to already have the right to work in the UK, as we are not able to offer any sponsorship(s) for visa applicants.
#J-18808-Ljbffr”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-20”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Best Practice Network”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__436846555__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=27547” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “St Philip's Marsh” } } }Supporting Education Group is the UK’s leading education services platform, providing the technology, expertise and resources that help schools, trusts and education organisations deliver high‑quality learning for all.
Our Qualifications & Training practice plays a central role in this mission by delivering high‑quality training, qualifications and professional development for educators across the UK and internationally. Through evidence‑informed programmes spanning teacher development, leadership training and vocational pathways, the team equips staff with the skills, confidence and support they need to progress in their careers and thrive in the sector.
By strengthening professional capability and enabling continuous growth, we help build a resilient, skilled education workforce prepared to make a positive impact on learners.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Head of Financial Operations to lead and strengthen our core finance operations. This is a senior role within the finance leadership team, responsible for ensuring robust financial control, efficient processes, and high‑quality financial reporting as the organisation continues to evolve and grow.
Reporting to the Finance Director for the Qualifications & Training practice in Supporting Education Group, you will own the end‑to‑end financial operations function for the practice, overseeing day‑to‑day finance activities while driving continuous improvement and best practice across systems, controls, and teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all core financial operations including AP, AR and credit control
- Hands on support with some of the operational processes, in particular AR and credit control are likely to be required
- Re‑organisation of activity across team members to streamline and standardise and future proof for growth
- Ensure compliance with tax, and regulatory requirements;
- Maintain and enhance strong financial controls, policies, and governance frameworks
- Drive process improvement, automation, and finance systems optimisation
- Develop and lead a high‑performing finance operations team
- Fostering a culture of collaboration and support in a time of change for the finance function
- Support financial reporting team with preparation of short and medium term cashflow forecasts
About You
- Professionally qualified (or equivalent experience), with experience in a growing or multi‑entity environment
- Proven experience leading Finance Operations (AP, AR and Credit Control teams – c.10+ people), driving performance and team development
- Strong knowledge of financial controls, governance and UK regulatory compliance
- Hands‑on operational capability, able to step into processes and resolve issues quickly
- Track record of improving processes, standardisation and automation with measurable impact (e.g. cash collection, efficiency)
- Experience leading teams through change, including restructures, system improvements or integrations
- Commercially aware, with a focus on cashflow, working capital and stakeholder collaboration
- M&A integration experience beneficial
- This is a hybrid role, and requires 3-days working on‑site from our offices in central Bristol
Benefits that actually make a difference
28 days’ holiday + bank holidays plus an extra day for every year you stay (up to 33) and option to buy up to 5 more days (all pro‑rata for part time roles)
Enhanced paid family leave (after probation pass) to help new parents and long‑term carers
Medical cash plan (after probation pass) making contributions towards everyday health costs such as dental, optical and prescriptions
Life insurance from day one (up to 4x salary) PLUS free wellbeing support with access to 24/7 GP, counselling, medical second opinions, physiotherapy and lifestyle coaching
Pension contributions from both of us (after 3 months)
Discounts access to different options to help your money go further
Flexible benefits you choose such as extra holiday, healthcare, bikes, gym, electric cars & Give As You Earn (after probation pass)
Learn & grow with us we invest in your development with ongoing learning, training and career growth opportunities
Volunteer days 3 paid volunteer days each year, with two dedicated to education
By joining Supporting Education Group, you will become part of a community that is dedicated to transforming lives and sustaining communities, where your voice is heard, your ideas are valued, and your individuality is celebrated. Together, we will continue to advance our passion for education and build brighter futures for all.
Employment offers are subject to satisfactory vetting checks. These checks will be run in line with the latest guidance and legislation. You will need to already have the right to work in the UK, as we are not able to offer any sponsorship(s) for visa applicants.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…