Job Description

With a history stretching back over 670 years, the Coventry School Foundation is a forward-thinking educational charity comprising a family of six independent co-educational day schools with a common purpose and common values. Located across four separate sites in Coventry, the Foundation educates some 1,800 girls and boys from 3 to 18 years and comprises Bablake Pre-Prep, Bablake Junior School, Bablake School, King Henry VIII Pre-Prep, King Henry VIII Junior School and King Henry VIII School. With a turnover of £23M, the Foundation employs over 500 staff and has a strong reputation within Coventry and the Midlands. Each of the schools has its own brand, history and ethos whilst benefitting from being part of a Foundation that shares resources and expertise.

The Foundation is seeking to appoint an exceptional Finance Director to provide strategic and operational financial leadership and delivery of the finance function. Reporting directly to the CEO and a critical member of the Foundation Leadership Team (FLT), the Finance Director will work in close partnership with the CEO, the six Heads and the wider FLT to implement the Foundation strategy. They will provide outstanding strategic direction and inspiring leadership for the financial operations within and across the schools, ensuring high levels of financial performance, as well as supporting and facilitating the wider activities of the Foundation. They will be responsible for transforming ways of working within the Finance Team, implementing new systems and developing business partnering, together with a modern, flexible and effective customer experience across the Foundation.

The successful candidate will bring rigour and professionalism to the financial practices across the Foundation and will be able to demonstrate proven ability in senior leadership and financial control within culturally complex organisations, managing people and resources effectively, delivering results, inspiring confidence and motivating others. They will need to demonstrate high energy and the ability to think and communicate with clarity, with the facility to execute efficiencies and improvement initiatives that will drive the Foundation’s financial success.

Prior experience in the education sector is not a prerequisite, and applications are encouraged from professionally qualified candidates with commercial, charitable, private-sector and public-sector backgrounds.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics to arrange an informal and confidential discussion about the role: 

Hannah Freestone-Smith, Search Consultant: hannahfreestone-smith@rsacademics.com or
Nina Lambert, Head of Commercial Appointments: ninalambert@rsacademics.com

For further information about the role and details of how to apply, please visit: www.rsacademics.com

Closing date: 10.00am on Monday 21st October 2024.

The Coventry School Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.  

The safeguarding responsibilities of the role are indicated in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.

Coventry School Foundation

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Foundation Finance Director