Overview
This pivotal role is responsible for the effective management and efficient operation of the School’s Finance Function. The post holder will be a strong communicator, with the ability to drive a culture of continuous change and improvement. They will be confident in presenting to Executive Management and Board Level members, influencing the decision making process to the benefit of the organisation.
Responsibilities
* Core responsibilities include the preparation of external financial statements, liaising with external auditors, managing treasury requirements, administering VAT and corporate taxation, and management of the defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes. The post holder will also ensure the provision and maintenance of an integrated School management information system from both accounting and finance as well as a wider school perspective.
* The Head of Finance will directly manage the Finance and Payroll team. In leading this team, the Head of Finance will be accountable for; maintaining an overview of accounts payable, payroll, general ledger and maintaining adequate systems of internal control; ensuring that financial reports are accurate, timely and of a high quality to comply with all legislative/governance requirements.
* The role has a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and a key take forward will be the design and implementation of a regular financial reporting package to Executive and Non-Executive Leadership, providing forecasts and producing reports and budget plans to contribute to the school’s overall strategy.
* Reporting to and working collaboratively with the DFO, the post-holder will support the implementation of the school’s strategy to develop and grow new sources of revenue with the ultimate aim of generating sustainable surpluses and driving continuous improvement.
Strategic & Organisational Leadership
* Leading the financial input into long-term organisational strategy, ensuring alignment between financial goals and the school’s educational and operational objectives.
* Acting as a key strategic partner to the DFO and Executive team in shaping sustainable growth, investment priorities, and resource allocation.
* Driving financial transformation projects, including digitalisation and automation of financial processes to improve efficiency and reporting accuracy.
Performance & Impact
* Developing and monitoring financial KPIs and dashboards to support evidence-based decision-making.
* Championing a culture of financial accountability and transparency across all departments.
* Leading initiatives to optimise cost efficiency without compromising educational quality or service delivery.
Stakeholder & External Relations
* Representing the organisation in external financial negotiations, audits, and inspections.
* Building strong relationships with banks, investment partners, auditors, and regulatory bodies to support the school’s financial position and reputation.
Risk & Compliance
* Overseeing financial due diligence for partnerships, acquisitions, or major capital projects.
* Ensuring compliance with evolving charity, education sector, and financial regulations, advising on policy changes where relevant.
People Leadership
* Leading, mentoring, and appraising the Finance team to ensure high performance and succession planning.
* Promotion of cross-departmental collaboration to integrate financial considerations into all operational plans.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, and it is expected that the post-holder will participate in other reasonable activities according to the needs of the School and for better fulfilment of the role.
About St Leonards
St Leonards is a friendly and forward-looking independent, coeducational, boarding and day school situated on an historic campus at the heart of the university town of St Andrews. The school enjoys an unrivalled location - there are sandy beaches, world-class Links golf courses, and historic sites on its doorstep. St Leonards delivers the inspiring, globally-recognised International Baccalaureate curriculum for pupils aged five to 18, and is one of the few schools in the UK to offer all four IB programmes. The youngest pupils follow the Primary Years Programme, followed by the Middle Years Programme and (I)GCSEs. In the Sixth Form, pupils choose between the Career-related Programme and the Diploma Programme. St Leonards also offers a vibrant Outdoor Learning programme and a leading five-tier Golf Programme.
Seniority level
* Executive
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Finance and Sales
Industries
* Book and Periodical Publishing
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