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 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.
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust can offer:
* 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 wellbeing.
* 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.
If you have the vision, expertise and leadership to drive financial excellence and support the continued success of Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, we would very much like to hear from you. For further information about this post please visit our website – .
Please apply by downloading the non-teaching application form from our website via the button below.
The Trust have partnered with Edwin People for this recruitment. Completed application forms should therefore be emailed to: executiverecruitment@edwinpeople.com
If you have any questions about the vacancy or would like to arrange a visit to Horizons Specialist Academy Trust or one of our Academies, please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing executiverecruitment@edwinpeople.com or by calling 07713 669323.
Closing date for applications is 12 noon, Wednesday, 20th May, 2026.
Shortlisting will take place on Thursday, 21st May, 2026.
Interviews will be held on 4th and 5th June, 2026.
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.