What skills and experience we're looking for
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Multi Academy Trust at a time of transformation and growth.
We are looking for a dynamic and ambitious Finance Business Partner to support the Head of Finance and CFOO in delivering high-quality financial services across the Trust. If you are a finance professional with a passion for strategic impact, technology, and innovation, we want to hear from you!
This role offers a unique blend of financial management, strategy, and digital transformation. You will be instrumental in:
§ Developing modern, automated finance processes using AI, workflow tools (Monday.com, Power BI), and automation technologies.
§ Providing expert financial advice to Headteachers, School Business Managers, and key stakeholders to support strategic decision-making.
§ Ensuring financial sustainability across the Trust by producing accurate budgets, forecasts, and management accounts.
§ Driving efficiency and best practice by streamlining processes, implementing audit recommendations, and supporting procurement strategy.
What the school offers its staff
Key responsibilities include:
§ To support the Head of Finance in ensuring the efficient and prudent management of Trust funds through the provision of comprehensive and accurate financial management information, analysis and advice.
§ To work with the CFOO and Head of Finance to ensure consistent standards and business processes, service continuity and continuous improvement in all aspects of financial support.
§ To support the Head of Finance in meeting all statutory financial reporting requirements.
§ To be the Trust’s expert on the application of the corporate Ledger ensuring the data input processes are consistently applied across the Trust.
§ To ensure the financial business processes fully comply with the ESFA’s Financial Handbook and Trust’s Financial Policies and Procedures.
§ To support the Head of Finance & other colleagues in undertaking Best Value Reviews and delivering an effective procurement strategy to ensure the efficient, and targeted use of resources.
§ To assist the Head of Finance with the preparation of the monthly management accounts and the quarterly budget setting process and review.
§ To carry out regular bank reconciliations; internal recharges; month end closedown; cash flow forecasts, general forecast and monthly budget monitoring of all the Primary Academies.
§ Meeting regularly with Headteachers and School Business Managers in the Primary academies monthly to work on specific issues, month end reporting, management accounts and preparing for periodic audits and the end of year accounts.
Any other relevant Finance related tasks which might arise to assist the Head of Finance.
Further details about the role
There are many good reasons to work with us. We have a real sense of community, striving to make a difference to children’s education. You will be part, too of the wider Archdiocese family and in the company of some of the best people in education. We also offer a variety of benefits, such as:
§ Competitive salaries and pay progression
§ Flexible working
§ Access to extensive professional development opportunities
§ Generous holiday entitlement 39 days including bank holidays.
§ Generous pension scheme
§ Employee assistance programme
§ Competitive terms and conditions of employment
The list is not exhaustive and will grow as the Trust matures.
Commitment to safeguarding
St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced disclosure and barring service check. In addition, as part of the shortlisting process, and in accordance with statutory guidance, we will carry out an online search (for publicly available material) to help identify any incidents or issues that have happened which we may want to explore with shortlisted applicants at interview.