Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Abbey Hill Academy (Horizons Specialist Academy Trust )

ABBEY HILL ACADEMY

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust

Registered Office: Abbey Hill, Ketton Road, Stockton-On-Tees, TS19 8BU

Web: www.horizonstrust.org.uk

Chief Executive: Rebecca Whelan

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Salary: circa £80,000 (depending on experience and wider portfolio responsibilities)

Permanent, Full-time

Required for September 26

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust consists of eight academies and one sixth form across Tees Valley, Durham and North Yorkshire, serving approximately 1,000 students with a broad range of special educational needs.

Following the retirement of the current postholder, the Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join the Executive Leadership Team. Based at Abbey Hill Academy, the CFO will play a pivotal role in shaping financial sustainability and supporting the Trust's long-term strategic direction at an exciting stage of growth, building on strong and stable financial foundations.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CFO will lead all aspects of financial strategy, planning and operations. This includes ensuring robust financial governance, delivering value for money, and enabling high-quality decision-making that supports improved outcomes for pupils.

The CFO will also lead the central finance function and contribute to the wider Trust strategy, working collaboratively with senior leaders across education and operations to align financial planning with organisational priorities.

Requirements

• Be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of strategic financial leadership within a complex organisation (education or public sector experience desirable but not essential).
• Have experience advising Boards and senior stakeholders, translating financial information into clear strategic insight.
• Ensure strong financial governance and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Be an inspirational, collaborative leader with the ability to develop high‑performing teams and build effective relationships.
• Bring strong commercial acumen with a focus on efficiency, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• An ambitious and forward‑thinking Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees.
• A highly collaborative and supportive Executive Leadership Team.
• A committed and skilled Central Team across Finance, HR, Estates, IT and Operations.
• Well‑established systems, processes and infrastructure.
• Extensive and varied professional learning opportunities.
• Access to a wide range of support for your physical and mental well‑being.
• Family‑Friendly working policies to support work‑life balance.
• Access to a generous Local Government or Teachers' Pension scheme.
• Recognition by Investors in People as a Gold organisation and Silver award for wellbeing.

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of children. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check, appropriate references and a 6‑month probation period.

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