Chief Financial Officer (Academy Trust)

RM Recruit have partnered with Aequalis Education Trust in the recruitment of their current Chief Financial Officer vacancy.

The Trust uniquely positioned within Worcestershire as a blended Trust spanning EYFS to 25, mainstream and specialist provision. Chadsgrove School’s Physical Disability Outreach Service, School to School Support Service and Pathways provision for young people who are struggling to access school, widely reaches across Worcestershire schools, giving Aequalis a regional footprint far beyond their size.

The Trust is seeking to appoint a highly skilled and values‑driven Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the Trust’s financial strategy, governance and sustainability during an exciting period of growth.

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Lead the Trust’s financial strategy to ensure long‑term sustainability and alignment with the Strategic Plan.
• Provide high‑quality financial advice to the CEO, ELT and Trust Board.
• Develop financial modelling to support growth, capital planning, and organisational development.
• Ensure full compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, DfE requirements and statutory obligations.
• Establish and maintain a robust Trust-wide financial control and assurance framework, ensuring appropriate segregation of duties, delegated authorities, reconciliations and financial procedures are consistently implemented across all academies.
• Leading the annual budget-setting process and preparation and maintenance of the Trust's medium-term financial plan, including scenario modelling, sensitivity analysis and assessment of financial sustainability.
• Ensure the production of accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including budget variance analysis, forecasts, balance sheet, cashflow and appropriate commentary, providing clear recommendations and early warning of emerging financial risks. Lead the development and implementation of the Trust’s reserves strategy and policy, ensuring reserves are maintained at an appropriate and sustainable level to support the Trust’s strategic objectives and manage financial risk.
• Oversee the Trust’s treasury and cash management arrangements, including liquidity and cashflow forecasting and the management and investment of surplus funds, ensuring security, liquidity, compliance and value for money.

The successful candidate will be an experienced senior financial leader (Qualified Accountant status essential) with a strong track record of strategic planning, compliance, and operational excellence. You will ensure full compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, lead internal and external audit processes, strengthen financial controls, and support the Trust’s ambitious growth strategy. Aequalis Education Trust serves schools across both north and south Worcestershire with the Central Office being located within easy reach of their schools, enabling strong visibility and hands-on support. Multi Academy Trust sector experience is highly desirable but we are able to consider applicants from other education or regulated sector settings.

RM Recruit is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and will treat all applicants equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, marital/civil partnership status, age, disability, race, religion, pregnancy, ethnic or national origin.