Overview

Post Reference: 2779

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer

Grade: Leadership Officer L22 to L27 (£82,190 to £92,610)

Hours: Full time

Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer

The White Rose Academies Trust is a Leeds-based multi-academy trust with a strong reputation for raising ambitions, engaging local communities, and driving rapid school improvement. At White Rose Academies Trust, we believe exceptional education begins with exceptional people.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly-skilled Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and leader of people to join the White Rose Academies Trust Executive Team. The Trust is committed to providing a high-quality education for all its students. This senior leadership role presents the right candidate with the opportunity to directly impact the success of every student in each of our schools.

This is an important moment in the evolution of the Trust as we move into a new era with a refreshed vision, great energy and ambition for the future. We are seeking an experienced and strategic financial lead to deliver on our compelling vision for the next era. The CFO will play a pivotal role in ensuring financial excellence and long-term sustainability of the Trust and will make a decisive contribution to the leadership of the Trust in support of Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer.

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact in a thriving educational organisation with a strong community, collaborative ethos, and stable financial foundation.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert financial leadership and strategic advice.


• Ensure sound financial management, systems, governance and compliance.


• Oversee all aspects of financial management across the Trust.


• Work alongside Trustees, the CEO and Principal’s to ensure informed decision-making.


• Lead as a member of the Executive Team, making a key contribution to the Trust's overall vision and success.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial leadership at a senior level, preferably in an education or public sector setting.


• A recognised professional finance qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CPA) or in the final year.


• Excellent communication and strategic planning skills.


• The ability to work collaboratively across teams and provide high-quality financial insight and direction.

Benefits and Looking After Our People

At White Rose Academies Trust, we value our people and offer a comprehensive benefits package. This role offers excellent opportunities for professional growth within the Trust. We provide flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance and networking opportunities across the education sector. Alongside generous pension schemes, wellbeing initiatives, and family-friendly policies, our benefits include long service recognition, salary sacrifice schemes, and access to resources such as Headspace and an Employee Assistance Programme.

Application details

Closing date: Monday 6th April, 2026 9am

Interview date: Monday 20th April 2026

White Rose Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expects all staff and volunteers to share the commitment. Appointments will be subject to Safer Recruitment Procedures and an enhanced DBS check.

Please note this role will involve contact with children and you will be engaging in regulated activity. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

We promote diversity and want a workforce which reflects the population of Leeds. Applications are welcome from all, irrespective of sex, sexuality, race, religion, marital status, age or disability.

What the school offers its staff

Terms and Conditions

All of our employees benefit from nationally negotiated terms and conditions including STPCD (teachers) or NJC Green book (support staff). This includes our commitment to the Real Living Wage Foundation.

• Long Service Recognition


• After 5 years continuous service, support staff will receive 5 additional days of annual leave entitlement (pro rata).


• Flexible Working


• We offer flexible working arrangements from term time only, part-time, job share opportunities, as well as hybrid working where possible. Flexible working can also be requested for colleagues undergoing fertility treatment.


• Wellbeing


• Wellbeing champions and Mental Health First Aiders are available in each of our academies, demonstrating our commitment to, and support for staff.


• Family Friendly Policies


• At the heart of our policies we strive to be family orientated to support work/life balance. This includes a policy to support emergency and special leave where required.


• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)


• All colleagues and their families have access to Health Assured, a confidential service to support our colleagues with their wellbeing. This includes access to a Health Assured app.


• Generous Pensions Schemes


• All employees benefit from either Teachers Pension Scheme or LGPS.


• Eye Test Vouchers


• Employees using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) are provided with a free eye test and up to £69 towards selected glasses, funded by the trust. If glasses are needed solely for DSE use, the trust will pay. (*Subject to terms and conditions).


• Colleague Recognition Schemes


• We have a variety of schemes across our schools that allows our staff to be recognised and thanked for their hard work.


• Our Commitment to Wellbeing


• Through our commitment to wellbeing we have committed to the staff wellbeing charter. This is in addition to being accredited as a Mindful Employer.


• Car Parking


• Through our commitment to wellbeing we have committed to the staff wellbeing charter. This is in addition to being accredited as a Mindful Employer.


• Headspace


• We are delighted to offer access to Headspace which is available for free, for all of our colleagues. Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you through science.


• Salary Sacrifice Schemes


• All colleagues have access to both the Tech Scheme and the Cycle to work scheme, which allows colleagues to spread the cost of these purchases, making NI savings of up to 12%.


• Commitment to safeguarding


• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.