About the Role 

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) is a school-led development trust that spotlights the best ways to develop the nation’s educators - from initial teacher training, through to system leadership. This is an exciting time to join the team and to be part of a fast-growing, developing organisation.

We are now looking for a bright and focussed Finance Director to lead the Financial Team in delivering effective financial planning, monitoring and reporting, and support the decision making of the Institute.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely and collaboratively with the Executive Team,

You will deliver strategic financial plans and provide senior leadership to the finance directorate, ensuring that our services promote best practice, provide value for money, and are customer-focussed.

As Finance Director, you’ll play a big part in the management of the Institute, and we’ll look to you to inspire staff using values-based leadership. You’ll be an advocate for learning and will actively promote the enhancement of the Institute’s stature and reputation exemplifying our culture and values.

This role requires the excellent communication skills needed to engage with all stakeholders and to translate financial strategy into effective delivery. You’ll be a natural leader, able to motivate and develop people, whilst effectively delegating tasks, communicating expectations, and providing the necessary means and support to the teams around you.

To succeed, you’ll need a recognised accounting qualification and membership of relevant accounting body. Needless to say, you have an interest in the education sector and a belief in the value of teachers and school leaders.

Although not essential, it would be advantageous if you have experience of working in a remote and geographically distributed team, preferably within the Higher Education or charity sector.

This is a flexible, hybrid role with a mixture of days in the office and at home, and you’ll need to be available in-person, dependent on organisation priorities. 

Benefits include:

• Flexible & hybrid working 

• At least 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays)

• Local Government Pension Scheme

• Comprehensive employee benefits including enhanced parental leave

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

Closing Date: 15 September 2024

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and management of the Finance team to ensure efficient, timely and accurate administration of all financial activities.

• Oversee all financial operations including cashflow management, annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, monthly variance analyses and monthly reporting.

• Review monthly management accounts, reconciliations, balance sheet and cash flow forecasts prepared by the Financial Controller, presenting to the COO.

• Lead in the writing of regular financial reports to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees including its Finance & Audit sub-committees.

• Provide financial support, advice and partnership to senior managers across the Institute.

• Ensure that financial regulations, policies, and procedures are regularly reviewed, in line with best practice, and subsequently monitored for compliance.

• Develop and implement robust financial processes and systems.

• Lead on monitoring and delivery of the strategic financial plans.

• Support the COO in developing long-range financial plans.

• Manage the external audit and completion of statutory financial statements, working in partnership with the Director of Marketing and Communications to produce the Institute’s glossy annual report.

• Preparation and review of statutory returns to appropriate bodies, including corporation tax returns to HMRC, returns and filing to Companies House and Charity Commission.

• Ad hoc project work and any other tasks as required by the COO.

Essential Criteria

• A recognised accounting qualification and membership of relevant accounting body.

• The ability to lead, motivate and develop people, whilst effectively delegating tasks, communicating expectations and providing the necessary means and support to the teams around you.

• Highly developed interpersonal skills and excellent verbal and written communication/presentation skills.

• A commitment to the aims of the National Institute of Teaching

• An interest in the education sector and a belief in the value of teachers and school leaders.

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Proficient in the use of MS Office software packages, such as Word, Excel and Outlook, as well as search engines and online databases.  

Desirable Criteria 

• Previous experience of working in a remote and geographically distributed team.

• Experience of working within Higher Education.

• Experience of working within a charity.

Diversity and Inclusion

The National Institute of Teaching is committed to creating a diverse environment and ensuring that all qualified applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices and are open to job shares, secondments, part-time, and flexible working schedules.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

Notes:

-This document is an overview of the role.  

-The responsibilities will include but will not be limited to those listed above and it is anticipated that the role will evolve over time and as such the duties may change. 

-This document does not form part of the contract of employment. 

-This post requires a satisfactory references, a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.