Dorset Council UK
Chief Finance Officer at Coastal Learning Partnership
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Chief Finance Officer
Salary: SCP 59-66 £75,641-£85,994 per annum, pro rata
Contract: We welcome applications from those wanting to work between 0.6 FTE to full time
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Based at the Trust Central Offices with travel across CLP school sites and optional working at home
Coastal Learning Partnership is seeking an exceptional and strategically minded Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to join our Central Senior Leadership Team.
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified finance professional to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Trust. Working closely with the CEO, Board of Trustees and senior leaders, you will provide strategic financial leadership, ensuring the Trust remains ambitious, creative and able to deploy resources to deliver the best possible educational opportunity for our pupils.
As CFO, you will provide strategic leadership of all aspects of finance including financial planning, audit, income generation and procurement oversight. Through this key role in the Trust’s central leadership team, you will contribute to all aspects of our strategic development and growth.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About The Role
The successful candidate will:
- Provide strategic leadership for finance across the Trust.
- Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
- Deliver high-quality management accounts and statutory financial reporting.
- Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations, including the Academy Trust Handbook.
- Drive value for money through effective procurement.
- Advise the CEO and Trustees on financial strategy, growth opportunities and risk management.
- Support organisational growth, change programmes and income-generation initiatives.
About You
We are looking for an inspirational leader with:
- A full professional accountancy qualification and membership of a recognised professional body.
- Extensive post-qualification experience in a senior finance role.
- A strong track record of producing management and statutory accounts.
- Experience of successfully leading and developing finance teams.
- Excellent strategic planning, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the credibility to advise and challenge at Board and executive level.
- A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and organisational excellence.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Experience within the education sector, academy trusts or charities would be advantageous but is not essential.
Informal enquiries are warmly encouraged until 4pm on 22nd July and from 1st to 11th September, for more information or to discuss the role please contact Paul Howieson, CEO via his PA, Helen Moors at office@coastalpartnership.co.uk or call 01202 806155.
Closing date for applications: Midnight, Sunday 13th September 2026
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills