Chief Financial Officer UK

Job Summary:

Reporting to the CEO UK & Portugal, the Country CFO will be responsible for overseeing the financial operations of our schools in the UK. This includes strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and risk management. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance, a strategic mindset, and the ability to work in a dynamic, international environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and implement financial strategies to support the organization’s objectives.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with the schools’ strategic plans.
• Analyse financial data and trends to provide insights into the schools’ financial performance and make strategic recommendations to support decision-making.
• Analyse investment projects or growth through acquisitions.

Financial Management:

• Manage all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Coordinate and supervise financial areas (billing, accounting, collections and payments, budgeting, management control, dealings with financial institutions, treasury, tax) for all business units.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in compliance with local regulations in the UK, and Group and shareholder deadlines.
• Monitor financial performance and develop action plans to address variances.

Risk Management:

• Identify and manage financial risks.
• Ensure adequate insurance coverage for the schools.
• Implement robust internal controls to safeguard the organization’s assets.
• Assess and mitigate risks related to currency fluctuations, interest rates, liquidity, credit, and market volatility.

Operational Leadership:

• Lead, develop and support, where necessary, the finance teams across the UK.
• Collaborate with school leaders to optimise financial performance and support educational goals.
• Oversee financial aspects of capital projects and investments.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Present financial reports and strategies to management and the Executive Committee.
• Develop, in collaboration with the Heads of School, the areas under their supervision and responsibility, their financial procedures and operational parameters for each of them.
• Act as a liaison with external auditors, regulatory authorities, and financial institutions.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders, including parents, staff, and the wider community.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration (ADE) or a related field. A Master’s degree, e.g. MBA, or professional qualification (e.g. CIMA, ACA, CPA, ACCA) is preferred.

Experience:experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior financial leadership role, and/or 5 years in a financial director role for a group of companies.
• Proven experience in managing financial operations in an international context.
• Experience in the education sector is a strong plus.
• Strong knowledge of UK financial regulations and (desirable) European financial regulations.
• Knowledge of school MIS systems (e.g. iSAMS) and their integration with accounting software (e.g. Sage) is desirable.
• Developing new departments, including the implementation of new procedures to improve the efficiency from both perspectives: operational and financial.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent IT and spreadsheet skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in another language is a desirable.
• Knowledge of financial regulations and standards in the UK.
• Pro-active problem-solver and innovator.
• Personal Attributes:
• High integrity and ethical standards.
• Strong decision-making abilities.
• Adaptability and cultural sensitivity.
• Honest, transparent and caring.
• Commitment to the educational mission and values of our schools.