Chief Financial Officer

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 wider Trust strategy, working

collaboratively with senior leaders across education and operations to align

financial planning with organisational priorities.

The successful candidate will:

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.