Job Title: Finance Director
Employer Location: Sherborne Schools Group, Dorset (GB)
Salary: Circa £80,000 per annum depending on skills and experience.
Closing Date: 10 Mar 2025
Job Details
Sherborne School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants for this post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and a criminal record check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer
Responsible for: The management and transactional functions of the Finance team.
Hours of Work: Hours are likely to be Monday to Friday, with flexibility required on occasion.
Holidays: 5 weeks holiday per year + Bank Holidays.
Pension: Eligible to join the Sherborne School Support Staff Pension Scheme after two months of service.
Probationary Period: Six-month probationary period.
DBS Disclosure (Police Check)/References: Successful applicants will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Main Deliverables:
1. Oversight: financial due diligence, compliance, and reporting.
2. Strategy development: investments, budgets, plans, forecasts, KPIs, financial modelling.
3. Regulatory Compliance: statutory reporting, HMRC, Charity Commission, Audit.
4. Financial services and operations: payroll, operational reporting, cashflow management, and debtor management.
Duties:
This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the tasks that will be covered; other tasks will be undertaken at the direction of the COO.
Areas of Responsibility
Team Leadership:
1. Set direction for the Finance Department.
2. Work with the Director of HR and COO in the recruitment and appointment of suitably experienced and qualified staff.
3. Oversee and contribute to the professional development and appraisal of all members of the Finance Team.
4. Manage the induction, training, and ongoing development of the finance team.
5. Hold regular department meetings and keep staff informed of school-wide news and developments.
Strategy Development:
1. Contribute to the strategic planning and development of the Sherborne Schools Group.
2. Provide timely financial input into the short, medium, and long-term objectives of the organisation.
3. Support the Heads and COO in implementing the development plan.
4. Undertake/commission financial modelling and analysis as required.
Financial Planning:
1. Lead the annual budgeting process across the Group.
2. Assist the COO in the development and maintenance of the Group’s Financial Policies.
3. Prepare the Department for the annual audit and liaise with the appointed Auditors.
Financial Operations:
1. Manage the financial accounting systems for all Group entities.
2. Manage banking relationships and ensure compliance with loan agreements.
3. Ensure compliance in all matters relating to VAT, corporation tax, and benefits in kind.
4. Oversee the preparation, monitoring, and control of budgets for each of the schools/subsidiaries.
5. Management of the Group’s cashflow.
Reporting:
1. Report on the termly management accounts to Governors and the respective Senior Leadership Teams.
2. Aid the COO in preparation and delivery of ad hoc financial reports.
3. Provide financial reports to the Boards and Committees of each entity.
Other:
1. Ensure compliance with GDPR in matters relating to the Finance Department.
2. Keep up to date with technical accounting and taxation developments.
3. Deputise for the COO on financial matters as required.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications:
1. Recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
2. Qualified to degree level with significant post qualification experience.
Experience:
1. Extensive leadership and management skills developed at a senior level.
2. A track record of demonstrable leadership including influencing and motivating others.
3. Experience of working across multidisciplinary functions.
Company
In July 2024, the two charitable trusts that own Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep, and Hanford merged into one charity called the Sherborne Schools Group.
Company Info
Telephone: 01935810502
Location: Abbey Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3AP, United Kingdom.
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