Head of Finance

The Role

Job Purpose:

This pivotal role is responsible for the effective management and efficient operation of the School’s Finance Function. The post holder will be a strong communicator, with the ability to drive a culture of continuous change and improvement. They will be confident in presenting to Executive Management and Board Level members, influencing the decision making process to  the benefit of the organisation. 

Core responsibilities include the preparation of external financial statements, liaising with external auditors, managing treasury requirements, administering VAT and corporate taxation, and management of the defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes. The post holder will also ensure the provision and maintenance of an integrated School management information system from both accounting and finance as well as a wider school perspective. 

The Head of Finance will directly manage the Finance and Payroll team. In leading this team, the Head of Finance will be accountable for; maintaining an overview of accounts payable, payroll, general ledger and maintaining adequate systems of internal control; ensuring that financial reports are accurate, timely and of a high quality to comply with all legislative/governance requirements. 

The role has a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and a key take forward will be the design and implementation of a regular financial reporting package to Executive and Non-Executive Leadership, providing forecasts and producing reports and budget plans to contribute to the school’s overall strategy. 

Reporting to and working collaboratively with the DFO, the post-holder will support the implementation of the school’s strategy to develop and grow new sources of revenue with the ultimate aim of generating sustainable surpluses and driving continuous improvement. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assisting the DFO with bursary applications, strategic planning and implementation, and the development of business models and accounting frameworks for new areas business growth including commercial strategy.

• Overseeing the preparation of the annual budget, statutory accounts, monthly/quarterly management accounts and forecasting, capital expenditure forecasting and monitoring.

• Overseeing the consolidation and interpretation of financial information to the Executive team and Board of Governors and associated committees.

• Ensuring high standards of integrated financial planning, modelling, budgeting 

• Ensuring appropriate financial systems, regulations and procedures are in place to provide the necessary levels of controls, checks and balances to ensure the security of the School’s assets and probity in the School and Board of Governors' financial transactions.

• Overseeing procurement arrangements and ensuring value for money decisions are effective.

• Overseeing financial corporate governance including risk management and insurance matters.

• Reviewing, implementing and adapting new and existing financial systems and control. .

• Overseeing the delivery of payroll systems and the linkages with finance systems.

• Overseeing the financial aspects of school supply chain contracts.

• Providing advice to the Executive team and Board of Governors on the financial implications of decisions 

• To develop and maintain effective working relationships with external stakeholders on all financial matters and act as the main interface with the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Governors.

• Dealing with and advising on tax issues, ensuring compliance with tax legislation and monitoring the annual tax year end procedures to ensure that deadlines are met.

• Contributing to the professional development of the Accounts team, by encouraging information sharing, professional development and sourcing appropriate training opportunities .

• Keeping your own knowledge up to date through continuous professional development and networking opportunities.

Strategic & Organisational Leadership

• Leading the financial input into long-term organisational strategy, ensuring alignment between financial goals and the school’s educational and operational objectives.

• Acting as a key strategic partner to the DFO and Executive team in shaping sustainable growth, investment priorities, and resource allocation.

• Driving financial transformation projects, including digitalisation and automation of financial processes to improve efficiency and reporting accuracy.

Performance & Impact

• Developing and monitoring financial KPIs and dashboards to support evidence-based decision-making.

• Championing a culture of financial accountability and transparency across all departments.

• Leading initiatives to optimise cost efficiency without compromising educational quality or service delivery.

Stakeholder & External Relations

• Representing the organisation in external financial negotiations, audits, and inspections.

• Building strong relationships with banks, investment partners, auditors, and regulatory bodies to support the school’s financial position and reputation.

Risk & Compliance Expansion

• Overseeing financial due diligence for partnerships, acquisitions, or major capital projects.

• Ensuring compliance with evolving charity, education sector, and financial regulations, advising on policy changes where relevant.

People Leadership

• Leading, mentoring, and appraising the Finance team to ensure high performance and succession planning.

• Promotion of cross-departmental collaboration to integrate financial considerations into all operational plans.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, and it is expected that the post-holder will participate in other reasonable activities according to the needs of the School and for better fulfillment of the role. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

About St Leonards

St Leonards is a friendly and forward-looking independent, coeducational, boarding and day school situated on an historic campus at the heart of the university town of St Andrews. The school enjoys an unrivalled location - there are sandy beaches, world-class Links golf courses, and historic sites on its doorstep.

St Leonards delivers the inspiring, globally-recognised International Baccalaureate curriculum (which has been praised by university admissions officers for its focus on deepening learning learning, offering wider subject options, and enriching minds) for pupils aged five to 18, and was the first school to be accredited as an all-through IB school in Scotland. It is one of just two schools in the UK to actively offer all four IB programmes, ensuring a seamless learner journey. The youngest pupils follow the Primary Years Programme, which goes hand-in-hand with the vibrant Outdoor Learning programme at St Leonards. This is followed by the Middle Years Programme and (I)GCSEs. In the Sixth Form, pupils choose between the Career-related Programme and the Diploma Programme.

St Leonards enjoys a rich sporting heritage, and continues to boast a strong record of achievement with pupils representing the school nationally in golf, rugby, lacrosse, hockey, horse riding, and small-bore rifle shooting. The leading five-tier Golf Programme continues to go from strength to strength, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is the fastest growing of all Scottish independent schools, and an exciting calendar of trips and activities ensures pupils leave St Leonards equipped with the skills required to succeed in today’s ever-changing world. Truly an education ‘Ad Vitam’ (for life).