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About the organisation
We are a small multi academy trust with four schools based in East Sussex.
Our mission: MARK Education Trust provides the best possible education for our pupils and students, preparing them for life, so they can stand equally alongside their peers, locally, nationally and globally.
Our values: The guiding values of MARK Education Trust are:
M – Motivated: to create exceptional, caring and safe educational establishments.
A – Ambitious: high expectations of staff and students.
R – Resourceful: ensuring efficiency and value for money.
K – Knowledgeable: valuing learning for life.
Our vision is to create:
Schools with their own identity underpinned and connected by shared values. These values are known, understood, modelled and led by expert teaching and non-teaching staff who provide and support our high quality, inclusive curriculums in inspiring, ambitious, happy and safe learning environments that foster a sense of belonging, enabling our young people to gain the knowledge and skills that they require to further their education and thrive in adult life.
A culture of championing collaboration and delivering on whole school improvement by learning from ourselves and others via extensive collaboration and research locally, nationally and globally.
A successful, sustainable and highly effective trust that is fully accountable to its stakeholders.
About the role
The purpose of the role is to provide focused board-level oversight of the trust's financial performance and sustainability, supporting effective stewardship of public funds and ensuring trustees have assurance that the trust's finances support the delivery of its strategic objectives.
The role complements, but does not replace or duplicate, the work of the Audit and Risk Committee. The Finance Link is usually also the Audit and Risk committee chair.
The trust board retain collective responsibility for financial oversight at all times.
Our ideal candidate
Skills and experience:
The candidate should be able to demonstrate:
An understanding of financial management, budgeting and financial reporting.
The ability to analyse financial information and identify key risks, trends and issues.
Experience of providing strategic oversight, scrutiny and challenge.
An understanding of governance principles and the distinction between governance and operational management.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain financial matters clearly to non-financial audiences.
A commitment to the principles of accountability, transparency and stewardship of public funds.
Desirable Skills and Experience
The trust recognises that the candidate is not required to be a qualified accountant; however, they should possess sufficient financial literacy and strategic understanding to provide effective support, challenge and oversight on behalf of the Board. It would be advantageous for the candidate to have:
A professional background in finance, accountancy, audit, banking, procurement or a related field.
A recognised financial qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, AAT or equivalent).
Experience of the education, public, charitable or not-for-profit sectors.
Knowledge of academy trust funding, financial regulations and the Academy Trust Handbook.
Experience of organisational growth, financial planning or business strategy.
Previous experience as a trustee, governor, director or member of a finance committee.
What’s in it for you
Overall, the role offers an opportunity to make a positive impact on education while developing experience in financial oversight, governance and strategic leadership.
Professional Development
- Develop knowledge of academy trust finance, governance and strategic decision-making.
- Enhance skills in financial oversight, scrutiny and challenge.
- Gain valuable board-level experience.
Strategic Contribution
- Play a key role in supporting the trust's financial sustainability.
- Contribute to decisions that help improve outcomes for pupils.
- Work alongside experienced educational and financial leaders.
Personal Satisfaction
- Use professional skills to support a public benefit organisation.
- Contribute to the effective stewardship of public funds.
- Make a meaningful difference to the success of the trust and its schools.
Apply for the role
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