Your new company
– Newcastle Royal Grammar School

Your new role

Day-to-day responsibility for the smooth running of the finance systems and functions, ensuring adequate processes and controls are in place, including; billing, purchase ledger, trading activities, VAT and compliance with statutory obligations such as tax, Charity Commission and wider legal obligations, and you will deputise in the absence of the Director of Finance and Operations on all financial matters. As a qualified accountant, you will have well-developed skills at managing all aspects of financial operations and a nurturing and motivational leadership style. You will demonstrate excellent technical accounting knowledge, and be experienced at preparing for, and leading through, the audit process. As well as this, monthly management accounting duties, management of assets and estates as well as budgeting and forecasting and closely monitoring cashflow. Your skills will include liaison with senior stakeholders and the ability to prepare reports for the board.

You will be keen to be an active participant and contributor to the finance and operations team, building enduring relationships across the school and working collaboratively – an advocate for face-to-face meetings and information sharing for best results. Your key relationships will be with the Head of Facilities and Estates and the Head of HR, as well as the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and School Trustees.

What you'll need to succeed

As Head of Finance, you will lead a small Finance team consisting of an Assistant Accountant, a Senior Finance Assistant and a Finance Assistant.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO), your objective will be to oversee the efficient operation of an extremely busy Finance Department. Your main responsibilities include the following:

There are some essential criteria you will need to meet, although if you have the majority of these and want to have a conversation about this please do get in touch to discuss.

You will need to be:

It would be great if you also have experience of working in a charity or similar environment and have payroll experience too.

In terms of your personal qualities for the role, you will be able to demonstrate at interview that you are a confident communicator, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. That you are also organised with an ability to self-plan and prioritise workloads, along with planning work schedules for others. Attention to detail is critical, as is your ability to respect the utmost confidentiality in respect of all information relating to this post and be seen as a role model for the school values of sense of belonging, love for learning, belief in each other and ambition to succeed.

Demonstrable ability to work as part of a team and establish good working relationships at all levels, including external providers, legal and professional advisors, and internal colleagues/parents. Alongside this, your ability to work with senior members of staff and demonstrate tact and diplomacy at all times will be essential.

What you'll get in return

Generous holidays and pension, a competitive salary and an annual pay increase. There are also on-site parking facilities, and the organisation is close to transport links. Friendly and sociable team.

During term-time, on-site free lunch is provided, choice of pension schemes, membership to life assurance scheme which pays out 5x annual salary in the event of death in service. Optional healthcare plan, free use of a well-equipped gym, fitness suite and swimming pool at permitted times. With a supportive and friendly community, there are invitations to join staff clubs and wellbeing activities during term-time as well as staff social events throughout the year.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now for more information.

To complete your application, you will also need a covering letter and completion of a full application form (to be submitted before 10h February to allow for shortlisting prior to interviews the following week).

RGS are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All posts are subject to pre-interview referencing, internet searches and pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list check.