Trust Business & Finance Manager JD & Person Spec

Post:
Salary range:
Trust Finance & Business Manager
£34,196 - £41,551 (Band C-D) subject to experience
Do you want to be a part of something exciting?
Have you got the drive and skill set to enable our vision to become a reality?
Do you want to have a direct influence on school outcomes and contribute to shaping the
lives of children?
The Flying High Trust is a primary led multi academy trust in the East Midlands committed to
raising pupils’ aspirations so that all young people reach their fullest potential and achieve
the success they want for themselves. The Trust currently consists of 12 schools and at least
another 4 schools will join by the end of this academic year.
Due to the growth of the Trust, we are seeking to recruit an individual to the newly developed
post of Trust Finance & Business Manager.
The job purpose will be to develop, implement and maintain a coherent, effective and
efficient approach to business management across the MAT. The post holder will drive
forward an ambitious agenda, working on a day to day basis with each academy’s business
managers and the Trust’s central personnel, to create an effective and efficient finance and
business management function across the Trust, which reduces duplication, drives
efficiencies and enables greater utilisation of resources to the core business of the Trust and
schools.
Accordingly, we are seeking an individual who has:
Substantial experience in business management/financial administration role
The ability to plan strategically, effectively and be innovative and proactive
The ability to develop systems and processes, through a centralised approach
Good communication skills with the ability to manage and balance a variety of
stakeholder requests and aspirations
Well-developed planning, organisational and budget management skills
A full driving licence, with access to a vehicle to travel across the sites
In return we can offer:
A support network of professional colleagues
A strong culture of professional development
The opportunity to be part of an aspirational organisation and contribute to its
development and growth plans

For further details on how to apply for the post, please go to
http://flyinghightrust.co.uk/new-vacancy
Closing date for applications is Friday 9 th September
Interviews will be held on Friday 16 th September
All completed application forms must be either emailed to jdunne@flyinghightrust.co.uk or
posted to:
J Dunne
Flying High Trust
Cotgrave Candleby Lane School
Candleby Lane
Cotgrave
Notts
NG12 3JG

JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Salary range:
Reporting to:
Work Location:
Disclosure level:
Hours of work:
Trust Finance & Business Manager
£34,196 - £41,551 starting subject to negotiation and based around
the experience of the candidate.
Director of Business & Finance
FHT offices (Cotgrave Candleby Lane) but also required to provide
support to academies across the FHT partnership
Enhanced
37 hours per week, all year round
JOB PURPOSE:
This is a new strategic corporate role, which will develop, implement and maintain a
coherent, effective and efficient approach to business management across the MAT
academies. The post holder will drive forward an ambitious agenda, working on a day to day
basis with each academy’s business manager and the Trust’s central personnel, to create an
effective and efficient business management structure and function across the Trust. The
function will reduce duplication, drive efficiencies and enable greater utilisation of resources
to the core business of the Trust and schools.
As a key post in a developing structure for the Trust, open and transparent communication
and consultation is imperative to ensure a coherent approach.
The key outcomes of the post will be to:
Contribute to the delivery of the MAT strategic plan and in particular the
development and implementation of business effectiveness and efficiencies, making
demonstrable savings through a centralised approach.
Contribute to the development, leadership and management of an effective and
efficiently resourced business management team within the corporate structure of
MAT.
Drive efficiencies and effectiveness and support the management of change in all
academy business areas, including identifying areas for improving school
performance and provide leadership to business and finance teams in achieving
these changes and developments.
Maximise the return of academy funding to the frontline through bringing a business
perspective and discipline to the academies’ business planning and operations.
Ensure that all finance, administrative systems, policies, processes and practices
across all of the academies are consistent and synchronised and where appropriate
are centralised, to support maximum efficiencies.
Direct and oversee the transfer of business management functions for academies
joining the Trust.

Contributing as required to the development of bids and the effective management
of the procurement of services and contractors.
Provide relevant and up to date intelligence and knowledge on business
management practice of academy trusts to senior management.
Ensure the best use of all resources across all of the academies.
Accountable on a day to day basis to the Director of Business & Finance for the following
key duties:
Responsibility for services: the post is responsible for ensuring the effective organisation
and management of each academy’s business management operations including financial
and personnel administration. This includes directing the work of business management
teams in the academies under the direction of the Director of Business & Finance.
Responsibility for staff: In close consultation and liaison with the Head teacher of each local
academy and the Director of Business & Finance, the post will support the recruitment,
performance management, work allocation and quality assurance of the business
management teams.
Responsibility for budget administration: the post has responsibility to the Director of
Business & Finance for the financial administration of the academies. This includes working
with each School Business Manager for accounting for each academy’s budget and
contributing to (advising and guiding) each academy’s budget setting and monitoring,
ensuring effective spend.
Responsibility for physical resources: the post has responsibility for physical resources,
involving responsibility for developing and maintaining data/records, and ordering stocks
and supplies. In addition to the normal business management functions, the post is also
expected to contribute to the standardisation and rationalisation of suppliers and
expenditure. Securing greater economies of scale and value for money is a key expectation.
The post holder will also support the Trust’s Project Manager in the oversight of each
business management team in respect of property and estates matters.
Responsibility for management information systems: the post has responsibility for taking
a lead role in developing and implementing financial management information systems,
(centralised where appropriate) and providing oversight of data collection and reporting to
management and external bodies.
NB: The aim of this job description is to indicate the general purpose and level of
responsibility of the post. Duties may vary from time to time and the post holder may be
expected to undertake the duties commensurate within the range and grade of the post or
any other reasonable duties as directed by the Director of Business & Finance. Duties may
be subject to a periodic review by the Director of Business & Finance (in consultation with
the post holder) to reflect the changing work composition of the business.

Conditions of Service
The post holder is eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
Salary is payable by bank account credit transfer on the 22 nd of each month
The working week is 37 hours
Leave entitlement is 27 days per year, plus bank holidays. Due to the nature of post, annual
leave should normally only be taken during school holiday periods and in agreement
with the Director of Business & Finance.
A childcare voucher scheme is available
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Flying High Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate
checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
For person specification, see next page.

Flying High Trust
Trust Finance & Business Manager
Person Specification
CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
Qualifications and Education
Hold a professional qualification in accountancy (minimum AAT
qualified)
x
Hold a professional qualification in business management
(CSBM,DSBM)
Educated to degree level or equivalent
x
x
To have evidence of continued professional development
Current driving licence
x
x
Experience
Significant experience of working at a senior financial level, with
responsibility for budgets in excess of £5,000,000
x
Experience of managing and monitoring a range of contracts
Facilities Management and/or ICT Managed Services to ensure
that Value for Money and Key Performance Indicator
requirements are met
x
Experience in the management of a successful finance system.
Experience of recruitment and HR procedures
Significant experience of working as a member of a senior team,
and with school governors, trustees and/or a board of directors
Previous experience of working in the Education or Local
Government Sector.
x
x
x
x
Skills and Abilities
The ability to communicate complex financial information
clearly and concisely to a range of audiences.
The ability to produce effective reports, forecast expenditure,
and demonstrate expense to budget year to date.
x
x

Ability to use financial data and evidence to draw conclusions /
reinforce success and strategically plan for the future
Excellent IT skills relating specifically to Excel and financial
systems.
Excellent communication skills written and verbal.
Excellent leadership skills and the ability to inspire and challenge
colleagues, peers and teams
Ability to work strategically, and to tight deadlines with the
minimum of supervision.
Skills and ability to produce accounts to audit standards and the
requirements of the Education Funding Agency
x
x
x
x
x
x
Knowledge
Significant level of knowledge of accounting procedures and
requirements.
x
Excellent knowledge of public finances, and funding streams for
schools.
Knowledge of legislation regarding health and safety, premises
and HR
x
x
Good knowledge and understanding of the funding and
accounting requirements of academies
x
Personal Qualities
Commitment to the aims and values of the Trust
Excellent numerical and verbal skills, understanding and
application
A positive, enthusiastic outlook with the energy, drive,
enthusiasm and determination to succeed
Must be proactive not reactive
Ability to occasionally attend evening meetings as required.
Commitment to and belief in equality of opportunity for all
x
x
x
x
x
x
Ability to work as a supportive member of a small team, acting
flexibly to support colleagues at pressure points.
Sense of humour and fun
x
x

Ability to cope resiliently with the responsibilities and demands
of the post
x