APPOINTMENT OF A

BUSINESS & FINANCE OFFICER

July 2016

Diocesan Board of Education, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE

www.stalbans.anglican.org/schools/; schools@stalbans.anglican.org; 01727 818170

From the Chair of the Diocese of St Albans Educational Trust

Dear applicant

Thank you for your interest in the post of Business and Finance Officer for the newly

formed Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust. This is a vitally important role and

one which will have significant influence in establishing the work of the Trust and its

ability to support its member schools.

Working closely with the Diocesan Director of Education in his role as Chief Executive

Officer, the successful candidate will establish all the relevant financial and legislative

frameworks, policies and working practices necessary for the Trust to receive its first

schools in October and November 2016.

This is an exciting post, one capable of providing the successful candidate with the

opportunity to shape and form the administrative work of the Trust for the next five

years. Therefore you should have the qualifications, skill and experience to fulfil this.

Should you require any further questions or information please contact David Morton,

Diocesan Director of Education, on 01727 818170.

Yours sincerely

The Revd Janet Mackenzie

Chair, Diocese of St Albans Educational Trust

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The Diocese of St Albans

The Diocese of St Albans comprises the counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire

and part of the London Borough of Barnet. The population is approximately

1.8 million, and the total electoral roll approximately 39,000 people. The Bishop of

St Albans has overall responsibility for the Diocese. He is assisted by the suffragan

bishops of Bedford and Hertford, the Archdeacons of Bedford, St Albans and

Hertford, the Diocesan Secretary and the Dean. There are twenty deaneries and the

Diocese has 336 parishes, of which about one third are rural.

The Board of Education works with a network of 136 Anglican church schools in the

Diocese of St Albans, covering six Local Authorities: the London Borough of Barnet,

Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Luton.

Seventeen schools are Academies and the diocese’s first Free School will open in

September 2016. Most of the schools are primary phase, but there are five

secondary schools and six middle schools which are deemed secondary.

Building on the excellent contribution of 136 Church Schools (with more in the

pipeline) of which 89.2% are either Outstanding or Good, the priorities of the

Diocesan Board of Education are:

Outstanding education delivered in a distinctively Christian setting

Community-focused schools serving the common good

High quality Religious

Education

Rigorous safeguarding that

ensures church school pupils

are celebrated as children of

God

Church schools at the centre

of the diocesan vision Living

God’s Love

The creation of new church

schools within new housing developments

Strong and fruitful school/parish relationships

These priorities are delivered in ways that recognise the unique local context of each

of our schools.

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The Diocese of St Albans Multi Academy Trust

The Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust is being established to provide for

three different types of Church of England school within the Diocese of St Albans:

schools requiring rapid improvement having been placed in Special Measures

and subject to a directive Academy Order

good or outstanding church schools where no natural cluster of local Church of

England provision exists

new schools within new housing provision where the Diocese of St Albans is the

identified sponsor

The Trust will consider applications from other schools supportive of the Trust’s ethos

on a case-by-case basis. This will include non-church schools wishing to join with

protected non church school status.

Following the principles used to establish Church of

England schools in the 1800s, the Diocese of St

Albans Multi-Academy Trust will remain committed

to, where possible, providing a locally-based, high

quality education that enables schools to meet the

needs of their local community, whilst benefitting

from a regional network of support. Academies that

are part of the Trust will retain their name, school

uniform and local customs, and the local governing

body will, through a delegated scheme of earned

autonomy, retain local control of schools where

appropriate.

As a Church of England Multi-Academy Trust, our commitment to a locally-based

education will be delivered through an approach consistent with the faith and practice

of the Church of England. All academies in the Trust will be expected to deliver the

curriculum within a programme of Christian values and virtues in an overarching

ethos that sees each individual child as being of worth and having the capacity to

grow into a fully rounded person. Community is another important concept and

individual academies within the Trust will have access to events and training

available to all schools and academies within the St Albans Diocesan Schools

network that will ultimately include local, school-led, Church of England Multi-

Academy trusts, stand-alone academies, federations and CE maintained schools.

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Academies within the Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust will remain part of

the St Albans Diocesan network of schools. Currently this consists of 136 schools

comprising maintained schools, stand-alone academies, CE federations and a free

school, representing all phases. 89.2% of all provision and 91.2% of primary schools

within the network are currently graded Good or Outstanding. Performance is high

and all schools within the network have easy access to examples of outstanding

provision and peer-to-peer support. This includes NLEs and LLEs where required.

Schools joining the Trust will benefit from education delivered within a Christian ethos

committed to enabling schools to meet the needs of their local community, and will

have access to:

specialist school improvement support - School Improvement Partners and

Advisers

20 educational consultants based in four regional clusters

school leadership support and development

emergent leadership development programmes

established partnerships with leading school improvement providers such as

Herts for Learning

a training and development programme delivered by the Diocesan Board of

Education

personalised training delivered through the Diocesan Board of Education’s

Service Level Agreement

national training networks such as the National Society’s Foundation for

Educational Leadership

in-house business management and financial management services

a developing range of centralised policies

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Business and Finance Officer

The post of Business and Finance Officer will, in the first instance, be the only

employee of the Trust. Theirs is a central and essential role: the establishment,

maintenance and development of all the Trust’s business, financial and

administrative functions. As the Trust grows, it is anticipated that a Chief Operations

Officer (COO) will ultimately be appointed to manage the wider work of the Trust, in

partnership with the Chief Executive Officer.

It is essential that anyone appointed has a thorough understanding of business and

financial policy and practice as it applies to Multi-Academy Trusts. Any successful

candidate must have the capacity to work independently, reporting regularly to a

board of Directors, and have the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of

audiences, including prospective schools and their governing bodies.

As the Board of Education expects there to be a close working relationship between

the Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust and the Board of Education, it is also

important that any successful candidate has good interpersonal skills, the ability to

form strong working relationships, and they wholeheartedly support not only the

ethos of the Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust but also the wider priorities of

the Board of Education as it seeks to support the 136 schools within the Diocese of

St Albans network of Schools.

An organisational chart indicating how this post fits into the existing structure of the

Diocesan Board of Education is shown on the following page.

Should you require any further information of clarification please contact Eileen Bigg,

the Diocesan Director’s PA on 01727 818170 or ebigg@stalbans.anglican.org, who

will arrange for you to speak to David Morton, Diocesan Director of Education and

CEO designate.

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Business & Finance Manager: Job Description

Purpose

To develop the financial strategy for the new Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust (DMAT)

and provide support for academies within the DMAT

Responsible to

The Chief Executive Officer of the Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust

Key Connections

Internal: Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust Board, Chief Executive Officer of the

Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust, Diocesan Director of Education,

Diocesan Board of Education, Diocesan Board of Finance (Bishop’s

Council), members of diocesan staff

External: Department for Education (DfE), Education Funding Agency (EFA),

relevant Local Authorities, service providers for the DMAT, other

dioceses

Key Responsibilities

1 To ensure the financial sustainability of the DMAT

2 To ensure the financial sustainability of each academy within the DMAT

3 To be responsible for the procurement, provision, commissioning, monitoring,

quality-assurance and cost-effectiveness of services provided by the DMAT

4 To ensure that all requirements of the Department for Education, the Education

Funding Agency and the Academies Financial Handbook are met

5 To prepare the consolidated year end accounts for the DMAT

6 To ensure the DMAT has appropriate financial systems in place and to manage

these in accordance with agreed policies and timescales

7 To produce timely, accurate and appropriate reports and financial forecasts for

the DMAT

8 To assist the Academy Heads and Business Managers in setting and managing

Academy budgets together with setting the Trust’s budget, so as to achieve

best value

9 To take responsibility for the speedy and effective introduction of financial

systems and processes in academies joining the DMAT

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10 To manage the academy conversion process of individual schools

11 To liaise with solicitors and the relevant local authority on conversions, land

issues, trusteeships, leases, Commercial Transfer Agreements and other issues

12 To oversee the provision of appropriate business support (eg HR, finance, ICT

and audit) for academies within the DMAT in order to achieve best value

13 To oversee the procedures to ensure that all academies are compliant with the

requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook and Companies House and

operate under appropriate schemes of delegation

14 To liaise with external auditors

15 To research and bid for additional funding to the DfE or EFA

16 To prepare and submit the necessary documentation for the recovery of VAT

17 To maintain the Trust’s risk register

18 To act as Company Secretary

The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the DMAT Business and

Finance Manager may be required to undertake such other duties of a similar nature

as may from time to time be required.

Staff Development & Support Scheme

The DMAT Business and Finance Manager is required to be involved in a process of

regular review and appraisal for professional development.

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Business & Finance Manager: Person Specification

ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

Knowledge and

Experience

Experience of managing significant financial resources with a strong appreciation of relevant regulatory frameworks

Experience of working in a school or academy, LA or independent school in a financial management role

Post-qualifying experience and professional knowledge acquired through experience

Familiarity with commercial processes and procedures

Experience of academy conversion process

Experience of dealing with DfE / EFA / LA education teams

Knowledge of education funding arrangements for academies

Knowledge of role of Company Secretary

Qualifications

and Training

Relevant professional qualifications in finance and accountancy - CIMA or ACCA qualified, or equivalent

GCSE English and Maths A-C

Degree

Skills and

Abilities

Skills in strategic planning and financial management

Ability to introduce and maintain robust financial systems

Analytical skills and ability to use management information systems

Decision-making skills based on the analysis of options

Persuasive, influencing and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently

Commercial awareness

Attention to detail, accuracy and thoroughness

Good ICT skills

Personal

Qualities Commitment to Church of England schools and

academies as key providers of education and a central part of the Church’s mission

Ability and willingness to work as a member of a team

Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and organisational priorities

Ability to accept responsibility and use initiative

Flexibility and willingness to learn

Circumstances The ability to travel regularly throughout the diocese

The ability to attend evening meetings

Please note: The post-holder will be expected to support schools and academies at times outside

normal office hours and to travel as a part of his/her everyday work.

This job description is subject to review and may be amended from time to time to reflect changing

needs.

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Terms and Conditions

Term: The appointment (start date to be agreed) will be based upon a probationary

period of six months during which it may be terminated by either party by one week’s

notice, and thereafter by two months’ notice on either side.

Salary: The post is offered on the Local Government Service Grade (£35,662 -

£39,267); the starting salary will depend upon qualifications and experience.

Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme

Hours: This is a full-time position for a 35-hour week. Time off in lieu is given for

hours worked outside normal working hours. No overtime is paid.

Holidays: Annual leave entitlement is 22 working days (pro rata) plus statutory Bank

Holidays and the working days falling between Christmas and New Year bank

holiday and one day in November or December for Christmas shopping.

Expenses: Approved expenses are paid in full through the DSAMAT budget at

agreed rates.

Office facilities: The person appointed will be required to work in the Diocesan

Office at Holywell Lodge in St Albans.

Right to work: The successful applicant will need to provide proof of right to work in

the UK before taking up the post.

Additional Employment: Written agreement is required for any interest, directorship

or employment to be held in addition to this employment.

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How to apply for this position

To apply for this post, please send a CV, a covering letter explaining how you meet

the requirements, and the names and addresses of two referees to the Diocesan

Director of Education, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE, or by

e-mail to ebigg@stalbans.anglican.org.

Please ensure that when submitting your CV that you include a full chronological

history of full or part-time employment since leaving school.

References may be taken up before interview. Please indicate if anyone may not be

approached at this stage.

Start date: as soon as possible, and preferably by 1 November 2016

Further Information

Information about the Diocese of St Albans can be found on

http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/.