Job Description
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Chief Finance Officer
Full time, permanent. Part-time/flexible working will be considered.
Start date: 21st April 2025
Salary: Salary negotiable depending on skills and experience
Closing date: 2nd December 2024
Shortlisting: 3rd/4th December 2024
Interviews: Week of 9th December 2024
HEARTS Academy Trust was established in 2011 and is inspired by its values of happiness, self-esteem, achievement, respect and responsibility, truth, spirituality and service, all of which are deliberately permeated throughout our schools, our relationships and organisation. These values are at the core of all our work, decision making, strategic direction, relationships and the curriculum that out pupils learn.
The role of the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a crucial strategic appointment, supporting HEARTS to provide and enhance the already excellent opportunities and learning for our pupils. The role, alongside all roles in HEARTS Academy Trust, is focused on pupils, their well-being, safety and education.
HEARTS Academy Trust is an innovative employer. You will be joining a highly supportive and ambitious organisation, working alongside over 200 like-minded professionals including an executive team comprised of the CEO, COO, Director of Curriculum, Learning and Assessment, Deputy Director and an Executive Head Teacher and Deputy CEO. There are also seven Heads of School/provision, with complimentary teaching staff, business and support staff including experienced Cluster School Business Managers, catering and caretaking teams. The Local Advisory Boards (LABs) and Trustees oversee, lead and support our work with their expertise, time and experience.
HEARTS Academy Trust is seeking an intelligent, resilient, skilled and strategic leader who communicates effectively, honestly and responsibly with all stakeholders. The successful candidate will firmly believe in, and uphold, our HEARTS values.
We highly recommend arranging an informal visit to explore our schools, provision and educational standards in greater depth. Please contact Don Wry, CEO & Accounting Officer for HEARTS Academy Trust via the HEARTS Chief Operating Officer (COO) Louise Allbury (l.allbury@heartsacademy.uk) in the first instance. Alternatively, please telephone HEARTS Academy Trust at 01268 572672.
For further information about HEARTS Academy Trust, please visit our website:http://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk
How to apply
Please download our Chief Finance Officer Recruitment Pack, Job Description and Person Specification and HEARTS application form for full details.
It is very important that the HEARTS application form is completed in full, particularly section F which refers to references. We must have the full contact details of two referees, including their name, address, telephone number and email address.
Incomplete application forms will not be considered.
Due to our commitment to safer recruitment CVs are not accepted.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date should we have enough suitable applications, therefore we advise applying early.
HEARTS Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer and will not discriminate against any applicant on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. For this reason, all application forms are anonymised before shortlisting takes place to ensure applicants are considered only on the relevant qualifications, skills and experience that are profiled on the application form and personal statement.
If you would like any support or assistance at any stage of your application process, please contact recruitment@heartsacademy.uk / 01268 572672. We will be happy to discuss this with you.
Why choose HEARTS Academy Trust as your new employer?
The HEARTS way of working is based on our values of happiness, self-esteem, achievement, respect and responsibility, truth and service, all of which are embedded within each of our schools.
HEARTS Academy Trust offers a comprehensive rewards and benefits package to all colleagues, including but not limited to:
- A supportive and inclusive culture
- A bespoke workload and well-being charter
- A two-week October half-term break
- Flexible / hybrid working
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Competitive salary
- Excellent training and a commitment to professional development
- HEARTS ethos, vision and values
- Cycle to work scheme
- Membership to the Confederation Schools Trust
- Internal and external networking opportunities
The Trust has a close-knit, family ethos. You will feel and gain a sense of belonging and a shared purpose, helping us transform and shape pupils and families lives.
HEARTS Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to the receipt of a satisfactory application form, satisfactory references that meet the requirements as set out in KCSIE, satisfactory online search and an Enhanced DBS check, to include a children's barred list check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account.
Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974
All applicants can view a copy of our Records Retention Policy on the Trust website, the policy sets out how we will gather, process and hold personal data of individuals during and after the recruitment process.
For further information about the HEARTS Academy Trust please visit our website at: http://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk
Information about the School
HEARTS is a small innovative Academy Trust of six primary schools and an alternative provision for pupils with SEMH challenges. All provisions are based in the south of Essex. Our values are central to all that we do. We work tirelessly to ensure that happiness and hope, self-esteem, achievement, respect and responsibility, truth, spirituality and service are embedded into the curriculum. Our pupils are well-rounded individuals who are ready to face the challenges offered to them. These values are at the heart of all we do and fundamental to our working relationships as well as our pupils' learning. We have high expectations of our employees and offer support and continued development opportunities for all. We expect our employees to live the HEARTS values in their work and relationships with other employees and the community.
The Trustees are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, online searches, medical check, prohibited from teaching check and references. References are taken up prior to interview. A copy of the trusts Child Protection Policy is available on our website:- https://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk/policies
We can offer you:
an excellent CPD entitlement with purposeful training, including trust-wide twilights throughout the year
a two-week October half-term
supportive colleagues who want to provide the best possible opportunities for their pupils
a highly effective learning environment
a responsive and involved leadership team
the HEARTS four-day face-to-face teaching week model whereby all teachers in the trust receive 20% non-contact time. This goes above and beyond the national entitlement of 10% PPA.
a school with a highly positive culture that supports all staff; mental health, workload and wellbeing are at the forefront of our vision and values
access to our school counsellor and network of Mental Health and Wellbeing champions
For further information about HEARTS, including policies and procedures, please refer to our website: www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk