Lead trust-wide financial strategy, compliance and performance at Pioneer Educational Trust, strengthening financial resilience across our schools and prepare us for growth.
Pioneer Educational Trust is seeking an exceptional Head of Finance to lead and strengthen our trust-wide finance function. This is a strategically weighted role, responsible for ensuring financial resilience, statutory compliance, insightful reporting and high-quality financial practice across our family of schools. Working closely with the CFOO, Executive Team and school leaders, you will shape financial systems, drive continuous improvement and provide the analysis and assurance needed for informed decision-making at every level.
We are looking for a qualified accountant with strong strategic leadership experience, excellent analytical capability and the confidence to influence across a complex, multi-school organisation. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a values-driven trust committed to delivering excellent education and strong life chances for every child.
Who we are
Pioneer Educational Trust is a values-driven, collaborative organisation committed to delivering excellent education and strong life chances for every child across our family of schools. We serve diverse communities and believe that every pupil deserves access to high-quality teaching, well-resourced learning environments and a culture that nurtures ambition, inclusion and personal growth. Our work is underpinned by a central team with expertise across finance, HR, operations and school improvement, enabling school leaders to focus on what matters most: teaching, learning and pupil experience.
We are guided by a culture rooted in integrity, accountability and service. These principles shape how we work, how we lead and how we support our schools. We expect our leaders to model ethical behaviour, welcome accountability, communicate with clarity and candour, and build trust through strong relationships and sound judgement. Our leadership dynamics emphasise self-awareness, collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement — qualities that help us maintain high standards and respond effectively to the evolving needs of our communities.
Financial stewardship is central to Pioneer’s mission. Strong financial governance enables us to invest in our schools, strengthen our infrastructure, support staff development and ensure long-term organisational resilience. As we continue to refine our operating model and prepare for future growth, we are focused on building systems and processes that are robust, efficient and aligned to the needs of a modern multi-academy trust.
We are ambitious for our future and committed to strengthening the foundations that allow our schools to thrive. Joining Pioneer means becoming part of a trust that values professionalism, collaboration and service — and one that is determined to ensure every child receives an excellent education.
About the role
The Head of Finance is a pivotal leadership role within Pioneer Educational Trust, responsible for ensuring the trust maintains strong financial governance, robust internal controls and accurate, timely and insightful financial information. This is a strategically weighted position that combines trust-wide financial leadership with hands-on operational oversight, requiring a leader who can operate confidently across both domains.
You will lead the trust’s financial reporting, forecasting and analysis, ensuring leaders and trustees have the information they need to make confident, informed decisions. You will oversee statutory returns, internal and external audit activity, risk identification and mitigation, cash flow management and the consolidation of monthly management accounts. You will also lead the development and enhancement of financial systems, processes and policies, ensuring Pioneer remains compliant with the Academy Trust Handbook and all statutory financial regulations.
A key part of the role is leadership of the finance team. You will manage and develop colleagues, ensuring high-quality service delivery to schools and consistent financial practice across the trust. You will work closely with school-based teams, supporting their financial understanding and ensuring that financial processes are embedded effectively at every level.
You will also play a central role in trust growth, leading financial due diligence and supporting the onboarding of new schools. This requires strong analytical capability, sound judgement and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.
Ultimately, your leadership will directly support Pioneer’s financial resilience, operational maturity and long-term strategic planning. You will help shape a financially secure, forward-looking trust that is able to invest in its schools, strengthen its infrastructure and deliver excellent education for every child.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with a proven track record of strategic financial leadership and the ability to operate confidently across both strategic and operational priorities. You will bring credibility, strong analytical capability and the judgement needed to support a complex, multi-site organisation.
You will have significant experience in financial reporting, forecasting and budgeting, and a clear understanding of how finance supports organisational and educational outcomes. You will be confident leading finance teams, improving systems and processes, and producing accurate, insightful financial information that enables effective decision-making. You will be able to analyse complex financial data, identify trends, risks and opportunities, and communicate findings clearly to senior leaders and trustees.
We are looking for someone who can balance strategic planning with operational delivery, managing an agile workload and escalating risks appropriately. You will be comfortable working with senior leaders and headteachers, building strong relationships and fostering collaboration across the trust. You will have up-to-date knowledge of accountancy standards, best practice in financial planning and budgeting, and the ability to interrogate financial systems and data effectively.
Professional behaviours are central to this role. You will model Pioneer’s leadership dynamics — seeking constructive challenge, welcoming accountability, communicating with clarity and candour, building trust and demonstrating self-awareness. You will uphold the trust’s values, promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and demonstrate integrity in all aspects of your work.
Above all, you will be motivated by strengthening financial governance, supporting schools and contributing to a trust that is ambitious, collaborative and committed to delivering excellent education for every child.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
Kellie Gordon | kellie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07983 388086
About Pioneer Educational Trust
Pioneer Educational Trust is a values-driven, collaborative organisation committed to delivering excellent education and strong life chances for every child across our family of schools. We serve diverse communities, each with its own strengths, challenges and aspirations, and we believe deeply in the power of education to transform lives. Our mission is rooted in the conviction that every pupil deserves access to high-quality teaching, well-resourced learning environments and a culture that nurtures ambition, inclusion and personal growth.
Our trust is built on a foundation of integrity, accountability and service. These principles shape how we work, how we lead and how we support our schools. We expect our leaders to model ethical behaviour, welcome accountability, communicate with clarity and candour, and build trust through strong relationships and sound judgement. Pioneer’s leadership dynamics emphasise self-awareness, collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement — qualities that help us maintain high standards and respond effectively to the evolving needs of our communities.
We are proud of the collaborative culture that defines Pioneer. Our schools are supported by a central team with expertise across finance, HR, operations and school improvement, enabling school leaders to focus on what matters most: teaching, learning and pupil experience. We work closely with headteachers and senior leaders to ensure they have access to the systems, guidance and professional support needed to deliver excellent education. This partnership approach ensures consistency where it matters, flexibility where it is needed, and a shared commitment to doing what is right for children.
Financial stewardship is central to Pioneer’s mission. Strong financial governance enables us to invest in our schools, strengthen our infrastructure, support staff development and ensure long-term organisational resilience. We recognise that effective financial management is not simply a technical function; it is a strategic enabler that underpins educational excellence. Our ability to deliver high-quality provision depends on robust systems, clear processes, accurate reporting and the confidence that every financial decision is grounded in insight, compliance and long-term planning.
As we continue to refine our operating model and prepare for future growth, Pioneer is focused on strengthening the foundations that allow our schools to thrive. This includes developing trust-wide systems that support efficient operations, ensuring compliance with statutory frameworks, and building the capacity needed to respond to emerging challenges. We are committed to continuous improvement and regularly review our processes, structures and governance arrangements to ensure they remain fit for purpose and aligned with best practice across the sector.
Our trustees play a vital role in shaping Pioneer’s strategic direction and ensuring strong governance. They bring expertise from a wide range of professional backgrounds and work closely with the executive team to provide scrutiny, challenge and support. This partnership ensures that Pioneer remains financially secure, operationally effective and focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
We are ambitious for our future. Pioneer is committed to strengthening its operating model, investing in its people and ensuring that every school within the trust is supported to deliver excellent education. We recognise that growth brings both opportunity and responsibility, and we are determined to ensure that any expansion is carefully planned, well-resourced and aligned with our values. Financial due diligence, onboarding processes and long-term planning are central to this approach, ensuring that new schools joining the trust are supported effectively and integrated smoothly.
Our commitment to inclusion, diversity and belonging is woven throughout our work. We want Pioneer to be a place where staff feel valued, pupils feel seen, and leaders feel supported. We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making and enrich our culture, and we are intentional about creating an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully.
Joining Pioneer means becoming part of a trust that values professionalism, collaboration and service. It means working alongside leaders who are committed to doing the right thing for children, even when it is challenging. It means contributing to a culture that welcomes accountability, embraces continuous improvement and strives for excellence in everything we do.
As we look ahead, Pioneer is focused on building a financially secure, forward-looking trust that can invest in its schools, strengthen its infrastructure and deliver excellent education for every child. We are seeking leaders who share our values, understand the importance of strong financial stewardship and are motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
If you believe in the power of education to transform lives and want to contribute to a trust that is ambitious, collaborative and committed to excellence, Pioneer Educational Trust offers a purposeful, values-led environment where your leadership can have real impact.
Learn more about Pioneer Educational Trust
Accessibility information
At Pioneer Educational Trust, our vision is to provide a stimulating, safe and respectful learning environment, where all members of our community work in partnership to achieve the best for every pupil. This vision includes our desire to make our learning environments accessible to all learners and the whole school community. The purpose of our plan is to show how the schools within the Pioneer aim to develop and improve the accessibility of each school for students, staff, parents /carers and visitors.
Our Aims:
- To increase access to the curriculum for pupils with a disability, including teaching and learning and the wider curriculum of the school, such as participation in after-school clubs, leisure and cultural activities or school visits and residential visits.
- To improve and maintain access to the physical environment of the schools, including all building works and contingency planning during upgrades and developments.
- To improve the delivery of communications and information for disabled pupils and their families. The information should take into account any disabilities that students and their families may have and their preferred formats.
We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.
We offer the following amenities:
- Step-free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
- Accessibility dogs are welcome
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
- A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interviews
- Working patterns and locations can be adjusted
There are a range of reasonable adjustments in place for various scenarios. This is done through the completion of risk assessments, OH referrals, etc. to meet the needs of the individual. This has included working arrangements, arranged coaching and specialist equipment through Access to Work, work with Lexxic to support colleagues with ASD and ADHD, etc.
The trust is a national leader in flexible working and has a multitude of arrangements in place. The equality objectives and information are in line with Pioneer’s current EDI priorities. The trust’s strategic plan prioritises EDI throughout.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
Kellie Gordon | kellie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07983 388086
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the following documents:
To formally apply, please submit the above application form, criminal records self-declaration form, and a supporting statement (ideally a maximum of 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Pioneer Educational Trust — Head of Finance” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
Kellie Gordon | kellie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07983 388086
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Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 12th October
Final Interviews: W/c Monday 18th October
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Pioneer Educational Trust are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
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