Permanent - 36 hours 52 weeks
Salary Pay Range: £80,000 - £95,000
Location: Ash Vale, Surrey (with hybrid option considered)
Closing date: 29th September 2025
The Kite Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Director of Finance to join our ambitious Trust at an exciting and pivotal stage in our journey. With a professional accountancy qualification, strong executive experience and a proven track record of significant impact across multiple schools or complex organisations, the Director of Finance will utilise their outstanding analytical abilities, sound judgement and entrepreneurial mindset to provide strategic leadership and management across all financial aspects of the Trust's activities.
This is a strategically significant position for the Trust. The post holder will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to ensure the Trust works effectively and efficiently towards the delivery of its mission, vision and strategic goals, and is compliant in all areas of financial operations.
We are a Trust with an aligned mission, vision and values that sit at the heart of everything we do. Whilst our schools have their own distinct identities, we believe that by working collaboratively as one Kite team, we are uniquely placed to deliver a better offer for our pupils and our people.
We are looking for a Director of Finance who:
· Has experience of strategic financial planning and management, including budget setting and income generation, in a multi-academy trust (MAT) or similarly complex organisation
· Has extensive experience in budget leadership and financial management
· Has financial leadership experience, including leadership of a business function and team of employees
· Has proven ability to identify and leverage commercial opportunities to enhance income generation
· Has working knowledge of key business service policies, practices and relevant legislation
· Can demonstratable commercial awareness and strategic thinking
· Will prioritise the promotion of our Trust mission, vision, values and one team ethos
And in return we will offer you:
· A trust which is committed to continuously improving colleague wellbeing
· The opportunity to play a pivotal role in the Trust's strategic design and direction
· An ever increasing range of employee benefits
· Genuine career and salary progression opportunities
· The opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking and highly driven Executive Team
· 24 days annual leave (Increasing to 28 after 5 years of service)
· Workplace pension through LGPS
Whether you have developed your career in education or another field, you will have a good understanding of the education sector and MAT context, as well as a passion for improving outcomes for children. If you are looking for an exciting and career-defining role within a dynamic and aspirational trust, do get in touch. For an informal and confidential conversation with our CEO please contact Nicola Macbeth on or nicola..academy.
Visit for a recruitment pack. To apply, please complete the application form provided. The application form includes a supporting statement where you will be required to outline your experience in relation to the job description and person specification. Completed application forms should be submitted to nicola..academy.
Application process:
Closing date: Monday 29
th
September 2025 at 12 pm
Interviews: Thursday 9
th
and Friday 10
th
October 2025
Start: From January 2026
The Kite Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants are subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check and satisfactory employment references.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website. We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.
In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal responsibility to meet safeguarding duties.