Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Salary: £58,973 - £67,994 per annum 

Location: 1 Angel Square, Manchester/hybrid working (2 days on-site per week)

Contract: Permanent, 37 hours FTE

Closing date: 23:59pm, Monday 20 July 2026

Overview of the Head of Finance role

Sellick Partnership is currently partnered with Co-op Academies Trust to recruit an experienced Head of Finance to join their central finance team. This is a key leadership opportunity within a growing, values-led Multi Academy Trust, supporting strong financial governance, regulatory compliance, internal control and sustainable decision-making across a complex organisation. The successful candidate will work closely with the Finance Director and Deputy CEO, providing assurance to senior leaders, Trustees and academy leaders that public funds are managed effectively and aligned to educational priorities.

Key responsibilities of the Head of Finance will include

• Provide strategic and operational financial leadership across the Trust
• Support the Finance Director in delivering the long-term financial strategy
• Embed strong financial governance, internal controls and risk management
• Ensure compliance with the Academies Trust Handbook, ESFA requirements, funding agreements and Trust policies
• Lead and develop the finance leadership team, including Purchase to Pay, Systems and Treasury functions
• Oversee cashflow forecasting, liquidity planning, reserves, investments and financial sustainability
• Drive improvement across financial systems, reporting, processes, automation and data quality
• Support Audit and Finance Committee reporting, statutory reporting, external audit and assurance activity
• Work with finance and non-finance stakeholders to support informed strategic decision-making

Required experience/qualifications of the Head of Finance position will include

• Fully qualified accountant, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
• Significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance leadership role
• Experience working in a complex, multi-entity or regulated environment
• Strong understanding of financial governance, statutory reporting, audit and financial control
• Experience of ESFA compliance, Academies Trust governance or equivalent public sector accountability frameworks
• Proven people leadership experience, including managing managers and developing teams
• Ability to improve financial processes, reporting and systems
• Strong communication and influencing skills with senior stakeholders, Trustees and leaders
• Commitment to co-operative values, British Values and the Ways of Being Co-op

Benefits available alongside the Head of Finance position include (but aren't limited to):

• Competitive annual leave entitlement
• Defined benefit pension schemes, including the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Co-op colleague membership, including 30% off selected Co-op branded products and 10% off branded products in Co-op Group food stores
• Employee Assistance Programme for colleagues and members of their household
• Wellbeing support, including mental health resources, Health Assured support, Wisdom Health and Wellbeing App and Mental Health First Aiders
• Occupational sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Free annual flu vaccination and free eye care tests
• Cycle to Work scheme and Nuffield Health gym membership discounts
• Professional development, induction, coaching and career progression opportunities

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Co-op Academies Trust, a values-led organisation sponsored by the Co-op Group. The Trust supports schools and communities across the North of England and is committed to creating exceptional pupil experiences, strong financial stewardship and fairer communities.

How to apply for the Head of Finance position

If you believe you have the required experience and qualifications outlined above for the Head of Finance opportunity, please apply within. Alternatively, if you would like a confidential chat about the role or organisation, please contact Hayley Cox at Sellick Partnership to find out more.

Closing date: 23:59pm, Monday 20 July 2026

Synonyms: Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director, Financial Controller, Head of Financial Control, Senior Finance Manager,

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.