Job Description

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Chief Financial and Operations Officer

Scale 13 £61,328 - £67,457

Required 1st January 2025 (or earlier)

Full time, Permanent Position

Who We Are:

We are Moulsham Junior School and believe every child is entitled to a great education.

We work collaboratively with Highwood Primary School, Moulsham Infant School, Writtle Infant School and Writtle Junior School. We are soon to become the H.I.V.E family of schools working together at a MAT.

The Job:

Envision yourself as the strategic force steering our Multi Academy Trust's (MAT) financial matters, working in tandem with the CEO and Board of Trustees to ensure that we have sound analytical data to make the key decisions that best support the positive outcomes for the Trust and all its pupils.

You will lead on financial efficiency and effectiveness, and ensure that every financial commitment and report is delivered with precision and on time.

What You'll Be Doing

Strategy & Change:

You'll work closely with the CEO and the leadership team, bringing to life our plans, plus, you'll be a big part of managing changes across our academies.

Business Planning & Performance:

You're the expert behind our strategic plans and budgets, ensuring our finances are solid and we're always on the right track.

Running the Show:

Risk management is a key part of the role. Collaboration with finance, HR, and legal teams is essential. Additionally, a proactive approach to driving efficiency and keeping abreast of educational trends is crucial.

Financial Oversight & Compliance:

In this role, you'll manage all financial aspects, ensuring full compliance with regulatory standards and providing transparent financial reporting to senior management.

Administration:

With the day-to-day support of a full Administration Team, you will make sure that we are highly effective. Overseeing attendance, recruitment, absence management, admissions and front of house.

Estates:

With an excellent Site Team in place, you will strategically lead the maintenance and development of our school buildings. Whilst ensuring high levels of health and safety compliance.

Governance:

You'll be a key player in our Trustee Board meetings, keeping everyone in the loop and making sure we're ticking all the right boxes, picking out the trends and ensuring these can be challenged to drive effective decision making.

Who We're Looking For

Qualifications:

An appropriate degree or the equivalent such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, MAAT.

Experience:

Your experience in managing finances and leading teams is well-established. A knowledge of the academic system is key.

Skills:

We need a strategic thinker who's good with numbers and more importantly people. If analysing financial data to create strategic and informed decisions and keeping cool under pressure comes naturally to you, then you're our kind of person!

Qualities:

You need to be collaborative and a strong team player, with the ability to lead and motivate others, while also being adaptable to the changing demands of the role.

You're a confident communicator with a knack for multitasking numerous high-level projects at once, with a methodical approach to problem-solving.

Supervision:

Reporting to the CEO, you'll be overseeing the Estates, Administration and Catering Leaders.

If you would like further information, or to arrange an informal tour, please contact Elaine Jardine, via hr@moulsham-jun.essex.sch.uk

Or you can call us on 01245 352098.

Moulsham Junior School and H.I.V.E is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant's appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, medical clearance, social media checks and an enhanced DBS check.

Information about the School

HIVE family- Our five schools are already successful in their own right, whilst benefiting from being part of the HIVE family, which was officially formed in April 2025. Moulsham Junior School, Moulsham Infants, Highwood Primary, Writtle Infants and Writtle Juniors, have worked together closely for many years as part of school-to-school support. This collaborative relationship has helped improve outcomes for children, supported staff professional development and enabled leaders to share best practices. The HIVE is a fully inclusive family, meeting the diverse and Safeguarding needs of the children, this being at the forefront on everything we do, to ensure children feel happy and safe. https://hivefamily.co.uk/hive

As an equal opportunities' employer, HIVE family of schools is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age; disability; gender re-assignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race (which includes ethnic origin, nationality and ethnic or national origins); religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join HIVE family of schools.

HIVE family of schools is committed to safeguarding our pupils against radicalisation and extremism and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on an application form, CVs will not be accepted.  This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references.

We may decide to close the advertisement sooner in the event that suitable candidates are shortlisted before the closing date.