Business Manager / Trust CFO

Lee Chapel Primary School & Nursery Business Manager (& Lee Chapel MAT Chief Financial Officer)

Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust

Salary: Scale 12, Points 43 - 48 (£57,046 - £64,813) dependent upon experience and qualifications

Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

An exceptional opportunity has arisen to join our outstanding school and family of six succesful primary schools, which form the 'Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust'.

Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust is seeking to appoint an experienced School Business Manager / Trust CFO, a pivotal position, to join our Trust from 1st March 2027 (two months before the current post-holder retires).

This is a significant leadership appointment for Lee Chapel Primary and the Trust, and an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to play a key role in maintaining the outstanding provision our family of schools offer.

We are looking for a strategic, commercially aware and highly capable financial leader who will combine excellent financial stewardship with a strong understanding of the wider educational and operational priorities of a Multi-Academy Trust.

The successful candidate will, together with the CEO:

This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a strategic and operational level, while working within a values-driven organisation dedicated to excellence in education.

The Role

As Business Manager of Lee Chapel and CFO of the Trust, you will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer (Headteacher of Lee Chapel Primary School & Nursery), Trust Board, Heads and the five Finance Managers working across the five other schools, providing high-quality financial advice, challenge and assurance.

Together with the CEO, you will share responsibility for the Trust's financial strategy, planning and management, including:

What we are looking for

We are seeking an individual who is:

Strategic - able to see the bigger picture and translate financial information into meaningful strategic advice.

Analytical - able to interrogate information, identify trends and risks, and provide clear recommendations to Heads and trustees.

Commercially astute - able to identify opportunities, challenge assumptions and ensure that the Trust achieves excellent value for money.

Collaborative - an excellent communicator who can build strong professional relationships with Heads and trustees and colleagues form across the Trust.

Rigorous - committed to the highest standards of financial control, accountability, compliance and governance.

Forward-thinking - able to contribute positively to the Trust's future direction and ensure that financial planning supports educational ambition.

You will ideally hold a recognised professional accountancy qualification and have substantial senior-level financial experience.

Experience of working within the education, charity or public sector environment, particularly within a Multi-Academy Trust, would be highly advantageous. However, above all, we are looking for an individual with the expertise, integrity, judgement and leadership capacity to make a significant contribution to our Trust.

Why join Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust?

Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust (LCMAT) is held in high regard and consists of six exceptional and over-subscribed Primary Schools with a clear commitment to providing outstanding standards of education for our pupils.

We believe that strong financial leadership is fundamental to achieving this ambition. Our CFO will therefore continue to be a key member of our senior leadership structure, working alongside the CEO to ensure that our resources are aligned with our priorities and used to maximum effect.

This is an opportunity to join a Trust where high expectations, professional excellence and continuous improvement are central to our work.

We can offer the successful candidate:

How to apply

We warmly welcome applications from experienced finance professionals who believe they have the expertise, leadership qualities and strategic vision to make a significant contribution to Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust.

Informal discussions and visits are strongly encouraged. To arrange a visit or to discuss the role, please contact Sue Jackson, Headteacher / CEO, through Victoria Carter, Personnel Manager, in the first instance.

Further information, including the job description and person specification, is available as part of the application process.

Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.