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Chief Financial and Operating Officer Horsham Learning Alliance
Join us as our first Chief Financial and Operating Officer as we launch a new Trust, Horsham Learning Alliance.
* Location: Horsham
Horsham Learning Alliance seeks an experienced and strategic Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) to drive financial sustainability and operational excellence across our Trust.
This is an opportunity to join our first-ever Executive leadership team and shape the Trust’s future.
Who we are
Horsham Learning Alliance is a pioneering new multi-academy trust dedicated to improving the lives of local young people through the power of education. Our vision is built on five key pillars:
* Local to Horsham – A commitment to serving the Horsham District, ensuring education is shaped by and for our community.
* Early Years to Post-16 – A unique opportunity to create a seamless learner journey, supporting progression and transition at every stage.
* Collegiate Ethos – Schools retain their distinct identities and cultures while benefiting from the strength of the collective trust.
* Inclusive Community – Strong partnerships with parents, families, and the wider community are at the heart of our mission.
* Aspirational for All – A relentless focus on high achievement and positive life outcomes for every learner.
Our Trust has been formed by Collyer’s and The Forest School, two institutions with long-standing reputations for excellence. However, this is just the beginning. We are actively welcoming new partners and have a clear roadmap for sustainable growth.
We begin as a Trust in a sound financial position, thanks to the success of both founding partners.
We have already begun collaborative projects within Horsham schools, laying the foundation for a Trust that will support education from early years through to post-16. With a strategic visioning event and strategic planning days already scheduled, we are well on our way to building a best-practice model of how our Trust will make a difference to our community.
Horsham Learning Alliance is not just another academy trust. It is a community-driven initiative designed to ensure that Horsham’s education system becomes even stronger, innovative and forward-thinking.
This is an exciting time to join us and be a part of shaping the future of education in Horsham.
About the role
As the CFOO of Horsham Learning Alliance, you will be an integral part of our Executive team, playing a crucial role in driving the Trust’s financial and operational success.
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Trustees and school leaders, you will oversee key elements of the strategic planning and operational management of the Trust. Your leadership will ensure that HLA continues to grow and thrive, providing the highest level of educational support for our schools and students.
A key responsibility will be to safeguard the Trust’s financial health and ensure efficient use of resources. You will work with the Executive team and Board to develop and implement financial strategies that align with HLA’s mission and goals. This will involve overseeing the full spectrum of financial activities, from annual budgeting and reporting to longer-term planning and risk management.
You will also provide strategic leadership to professional services within the Trust, such as HR, IT, Marketing and in time to Estates. This will require you to develop and maintain efficient systems and processes that support the day-to-day operations of HLA, ensuring consistency and cohesion across all areas of the Trust. You will also work closely to oversee the long-standing foundation Trust of Collyer’s.
As the CFOO, you will be a key external representative of the Trust, liaising with stakeholders, auditors and regulators. You will ensure that HLA’s financial reporting and audit processes meet the highest standards and help maintain the Trust’s reputation for transparency, integrity and accountability.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the future of the Trust, contributing to the long-term success of our schools and the outcomes of the children and young people.
Who we are looking for
We seek an experienced strategic financial leader who is passionate about education and committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of students.
As the CFOO, you will have a unique opportunity to drive operational improvements and financial sustainability while shaping the future direction of the Trust.
We are looking for an entrepreneurial, forward-thinking visionary who can bring expertise and innovation to our Executive team.
The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with significant experience in financial leadership, preferably within the education or public sector. However, we will consider candidates with relevant experience in other sectors.
You will be adept at managing complex budgets, overseeing multi-disciplinary teams and driving high-impact financial and operational strategies that support the delivery of outstanding educational experiences.
In addition to technical expertise, we seek someone with strong interpersonal and communication skills. You will need to effectively engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Your ability to present complex financial information in a clear and accessible way will be essential in ensuring that all stakeholders understand the Trust’s financial health and future direction.
You should be a proven leader with experience managing teams through change and transition. As HLA continues to grow, your ability to drive business transformation and effectiveness will be crucial.
You will also need to be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where adaptability and resilience are key to success.
Above all, we are looking for someone who shares our vision and values, someone who is committed to creating a Trust that puts the needs of our community first.
As CFOO, you will help shape the strategic direction of the Trust, ensuring that every decision made prioritises the best possible outcomes for our students.
Peridot Partners and Horsham Learning Alliance are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
If you would like to know more about this role please contact Eddie Caviezel Cox
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