Academies Business Officer

Academies Business Officer

Based on ESCC Single Status Grade 9: £25,720 - £27,784 FTE

Two posts available: The roles can be worked between 18 - 37 hours per week; term time only plus additional days as agreed. Please note the salary will be pro-rata depending on the actual hours of work. The roles provide access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

The Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust (DCAT) is a growing academy Trust established in 2014. The Trust is currently responsible for seven academies educating over 3,200 pupils in both East and West Sussex across both primary and secondary phases. A number of schools are scheduled to join the Trust during the current academic year, and the Trust is in advanced conversations with a number of other schools wishing to convert to academy status.

We aim to be a trust in which:

• All children achieve and maximise their potential;
• All schools improve and perform above national expectations;
• All staff are supported and actively engage in continuing professional development;
• The distinct Christian identity of each of our academies is maintained and celebrated.

Schools joining DCAT retain their own unique identity but benefit from a range of shared services and opportunities. Individual Local Governing Bodies, including parent representatives, continue to play an important role in the life of the school.

It is recognised that schools nationally are working in a difficult time: school funding has remained static and costs are increasing. Schools and academies are having to make operational changes in order to continue to fund the education pupils within the schools deserve. DCAT have responded to this in many ways, including the provision of a centralised Business Support function for academies who chose to opt-in to this offer.

The role of Academies Business Officer is broad and varied, and the postholder will have considerable opportunity to develop the role. You will operate the academy-based finances and general business support for a number of our academies based from our Centre in Hove. You will be responsible, under direction of the Trust’s Head of Finance, for operational finance (e.g. purchase and sales ledger) and the administration of HR and payroll records within a number of academies. It is envisaged that in time the role will expand and therefore there is excellent prospect for the right candidate to progress should they wish this.

Working closely with Trust and academy leadership staff, you will be involved in setting and monitoring specific academies’ budgets and assisting the Trust’s financial team.

Whilst you will be based at our office in Hove, you will be expected to visit the academies you support for regular meetings with the Headteacher (or equivalent) and occasionally attend meetings of the academy governing body which can be outside of regular working hours. Due to the broad and rural location of some academies, candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to travel, and ideally would hold a full driving licence and have access to a private vehicle for work. Mileage will be paid at the HMRC approved rates.

You will have had relevant experience of working in a finance-based role, ideally but not essentially within a school or academy, (e.g. Business Manager, Bursar, Finance Officer or similar). You must be numerate, have excellent communication skills and have confidence to speak authoritatively on financial and business matters to Headteachers and governors, be forward-thinking and have or quickly develop a robust understanding of school finances and the current issues that affect schools.

The role(s) will be 18-37 hours per week, term time only. The actual days and hours of work can be flexible to suit the needs of the successful candidates, e.g. to fit around home commitments.  In return for this flexibility, occasional hours will need to be worked outside agreed hours, e.g. at busy periods in the year or to attend evening governing body meetings, for which time off in lieu or overtime payment will be provided.

Calls or visits to the Trust to discuss the role are very welcome. Please contact Tania Little, Head of Finance (tlittle@dcat.academy) to arrange a suitable time.

Applications should be sent to tlittle@dcat.academy by 8am on Monday, 7 October. Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place on Thursday, 10 October.