Description

Location: North East London (primarily on site across the Trust's schools)

Contract: Fixed-term, maternity cover, from late November 2026 to April 2027

Salary: £54,000–£58,000 FTE, depending on experience, with some flexibility for an exceptional candidate

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Role

A growing primary multi-academy trust in North East London is looking for an experienced Interim Head of Finance to lead its finance function while the permanent post holder is on maternity leave.

This is a senior leadership appointment. It is not routine temporary cover. The Trust needs a confident, hands-on finance leader with substantial academy trust experience, who can work independently and get up to speed quickly. From day one you will take full responsibility for the finance function, ensure continuity of financial management and compliance, and work closely with the senior leadership team and trustees.

The Trust has clear plans to grow. A key part of this role is supporting the financial onboarding of new schools joining the Trust. Experience of academy conversions and of working within a growing MAT will be highly valued.

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Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust's finance function day to day, including budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, cash flow and financial controls.
• Ensure full compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, the funding agreement and DfE financial reporting requirements.
• Prepare and present clear, timely financial reports to the senior leadership team, trustees, the finance committee and the audit and risk committee.
• Manage DfE returns and statutory submissions due during the cover period, including the budget forecast return and any other returns that fall due.
• Support the financial onboarding of schools joining the Trust. This covers due diligence, conversion finance, setting up budgets, systems and bank accounts, and integrating new schools into the Trust's financial processes.
• Oversee payroll, purchasing, procurement and income processes, ensuring robust internal controls and value for money.
• Liaise with external and internal auditors and support audit work during the period.
• Monitor GAG pooling, reserves, central services and top-slice arrangements, and give practical financial advice to headteachers and school business staff.
• Manage and support any finance colleagues, keeping the function running smoothly and handing it back in good order when the permanent post holder returns.