Christ Church CE MAT seeks a senior finance leader to join its board, operating in the Bury area of Greater Manchester.

The Academy Ambassadors programme brings the expertise of the business world onto boards at single-academy and multi-academy trusts (SATs and MATs). Academy trusts exist to improve the outcomes of young people. At the highest levels of governance, they need highly skilled individuals with a variety of experiences to hold executive leadership teams to account. Insights from a wide-range of backgrounds, ensure that boards are able to make informed choices on decisions that impact the lives of children and staff.

The Academy Ambassadors Programme is service funded by the Department for Education, to match senior business leaders with academy trusts looking to strengthen their boards. By working together, inspirational educationalists and talented business leaders can provide a better future for the next generation.

The opportunity

A three-school academy trust based in Bury, Greater Manchester, Christ Church CE MAT is a primary-phase provider with 780 pupils at its sites across the Bury area. It seeks a non-executives/trustee to join its board, possessing skills in Finance/accountancy and/or Strategic Leadership. Board meetings are held in Bury when safe to do so, however all meetings are held virtually for the foreseeable future. Applicants of all faiths or of none, are welcomed.

The board seeks one senior business leader with board level experience in

• strategic leadership and
• finance at CFO level (with accountancy qualifications)

As a key member of the board you will support the trust in achieving the following over the next 12 - 24 months:

• Setting in place a recovery curriculum that assists the children in making up for the time spent away from school as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring that the trust's sponsored schools can demonstrate improvement and a positive impact on the education of the children;
• Growing the trust to ensure that it achieves even greater financial efficiencies through economies of scale;
• Developing the central team in line with trust's growth strategy to meet the needs of all schools.

What's involved?

Board governance in education is a strategic, 'eyes on, hands off' commitment which typically involves attending c. six board meetings per year/6-8 hours' time per month.

You will be responsible for:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

As an Academy Ambassador, you will join our ambassador network which provides resources, guidance, networking events and webinars to support you in your role.

All roles are pro bono.

People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

What next?

Please register your interest now to be considered for the role.

When you select the option to Apply you will be redirected to the Academy Ambassadors webpage where you will find a full role specification with more details of the opportunity and the trust, including details of how to apply for the position.

Please be aware the closing date may change if we have received sufficient applications.