Sherborne - Group Finance Director

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in joining us here at the Sherborne Schools Group in beautiful Dorset. The current construct of the Group came into being last summer following the merger of the Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls School Groups, which brought the Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep and Hanford schools into a single structure. In so doing, we created a business with a turnover of nearly £55m, approximately 1300 pupils and nearly 1000 staff. Whilst the Group might have its roots as far back as the 16th Century, its ambition most definitely looks to the future. Further, the rapid evolution of the financial model for independent schools has required us to transform the way we operate – at Sherborne we see this as an opportunity as much as a challenge.

Our educative ambitions are underpinned and supported by an outstanding Professional Services team. The Group Finance Director will play a key role in both helping the Group optimise the resources it has at its disposal as well as building the long-term financial resilience required to ensure that the schools can continue to invest in their its infrastructure and people to ensure they continue to be held in high regard for many years to come. Whatever background/environment you might currently be working in, most important for us in identifying the right individual for this role will be the balance you bring between the financial and commercial acumen/experience you would bring with your enthusiasm and passion for the goals and ambitions of the Group.

We do hope the opportunity excites you; if it doesn’t, then this is not the right role for you. Like all senior roles, amongst the routine, it comes with the exciting and challenging opportunity to make a genuine, positive difference that we believe will transform the educative experience of our pupils for years to come. We are looking for someone with the vision and expertise to take us on the next stage of our journey, to enable us to continue as a well-renowned set of schools for more centuries to come.

If you have the skills, leadership and wider qualities we are looking for and, in return, you believe that the Group can provide the next role that you have been looking for, then we would love to explore the opportunity further with you.

With very best wishes

Amanda Hughes
Chair of the Finance Committee

About Sherborne Schools Group

In July 2024, the two charitable trusts that own Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep and Hanford, formally merged into one charity called the Sherborne Schools Group – a unique and exciting educational opportunity in the UK for girls and boys aged 3-19.

This merged Group includes Sherborne Schools Worldwide, a joint venture set up by Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls in 2017 to establish Sherborne-branded schools around the world.

Already enjoying established and wide-ranging links, many families choose Sherborne Prep or Hanford for their children before they progress onto Sherborne Boys or Sherborne Girls. However, both junior schools continue to prepare pupils for entry and scholarship to a wide range of senior schools.

For many years, Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls have benefitted from a close relationship, underpinned by shared values, a Christian foundation and a commitment to full boarding. The senior schools’ unique collaboration, known as ‘Separate Yet Together,’ is distinctive and offers pupils all the advantages of a single-sex education alongside the benefits of co-education.

The job description

Group Finance Director (AQ3220)

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Recruitment and Selection Policy Statement

The Sherborne Schools Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants for this post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and a criminal record check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Job Title: Group Finance Director
Location: Sherborne Schools Group
Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer
Responsible for: You will provide strategic and operational leadership across the school in all financial matters.
Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week. Hours of work are likely to be 8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday less an hour for lunch (unpaid). There may be a requirement for flexibility in hours on occasion to meet the demands of the post.
Salary: Competitive depending on skills and experience. Salary will be paid monthly in arrears direct into your nominated bank account and will usually be reviewed annually in September.

Main Deliverables

Responsible for financial due diligence and reporting (n.b. Sherborne Schools’ Group has T/O c. £55m with EBITDAs growing from £4m p.a.)
Strategy development: investments, budgets, plans, forecasts, KPIs, financial modelling.
Compliance: for example – statutory reporting, HMRC, Charity Commission, Audit.
Financial services and operations: for example, payroll, operational reporting, cashflow management and debtor management.
Provision of an effective business planning and partnering service, ensuring budget holders are informed and empowered to manage and optimise resource.

Areas of Responsibility

Financial Responsibilities

Ensure robust and timely financial management and reporting to support critical decision-making across the Sherborne Schools Group.
Work closely with the COO, Executive Chair and Chair of Finance Committee to understand the Group’s financial position in relation to existing and future activity.
Provide expert advice in relation to liquidity or financing solutions including advice on M&A and other major commercial opportunities/contracts.
Ensure compliance with the Group’s Scheme of Financial Delegation and associated policies.

Team Leadership

Lead and develop the Finance team to deliver an effective, efficient, and reliable finance function and uphold sound financial management and a robust system of financial control based on clear policies and processes.
Ensure the team is fit for purpose through the recruitment and professional development, appraisal of all members of the Finance Team, across all entities.
Hold regular department meetings and keep staff informed of school wide news and developments.

Strategy development and Financial Planning

As part of the Management Team, contribute to the strategic planning and development of the Sherborne Schools Group.
Maintain constant awareness of the financial position of the Group and its subsidiaries and proactively support the COO and board to ensure decision-making is based on sound financial planning.
Provide reporting and insight as required, conducting financial analysis and modelling to test assumptions, assess risks, and enable leadership and governors to respond to the evolving context.
Lead the annual budgeting process across the Group, including a consideration of cashflow management and capex budgeting, and ensure that the agreed strategy and objectives are reflected in the long-term financial planning.
Assist the COO in the development and maintenance of the Group’s Financial Policies
Undertake/commission financial modelling and analysis as required.

Financial Operations

Drive and implement pragmatic and innovative improvements to processes and systems to create efficiencies and improved ways of working across area of responsibility.
Manage the financial accounting systems for all Group entities.
Ensure all entities remain compliant with all legislative and regulatory requirements, including being responsible for all internal and external reporting, the Group’s relationship with its auditors, taxation compliance, anti-money laundering, etc.
Manage banking relationships and ensure compliance with loan agreements.
Oversee communications with parents on matters relating to fees and payment of fees, intervening in the event of non-payment to ensure recovery on a timely basis.
To oversee the preparation of compliant annual statutory accounts for all legal entities and liaise with the appointed Auditors prior to and during the annual audit.
Oversee the financial aspects of the bursary award process, including ensuring that Parent Contracts are updated regularly and reflect the latest guidance on appropriate terms and conditions associated with independent education.
Identify and undertake cost savings projects, developing and implementing cost controls as required.
Ensure effective internal financial control procedures are maintained within the department across the Group.
To be Company Secretary for the Group’s subsidiaries – maintaining records held at Companies House and/or the Charity Commission.

Reporting

Report on a timely basis the termly management accounts and any other financial reports to Governors and the respective Senior Leadership Teams.
Work with the COO in preparation and delivery of ad hoc financial reports.
Report (to Finance Committee) on key performance indicators, identifying trends and providing such analysis as required by the COO.
Produce any other management information as requested by the COO or Governors.

Other

Ensure compliance with GDPR in matters relating to the Finance Department.
Attend meetings of the respective Senior Leadership Teams, the Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Council Meetings, and other meetings as directed by the COO.
Deputise for the COO on financial matters as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All of the following criteria are considered essential unless otherwise noted.

Qualifications

Recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
Evidence of continuing relevant
professional and personal development.
Qualified to degree level with significant post qualification experience and in-depth professional knowledge acquired through experience. (Desireable)

Experience

Extensive leadership and management skills developed at a senior level in a large and complex organisation.
A track record of demonstrable leadership including influencing and motivating others to create positive relationships at all levels and to achieve continuous improvement and transformational change.
Experience of working across multidisciplinary functions.
Comprehensive understanding of budgeting, cash flow forecasts, consolidated and entity accounting in a Group organisation.
Evidence of strategic development and associated policy development and implementation.
Implementation and ongoing development of financial systems.
Evidence of executing operational strategic plans to meet board performance targets.
Undertaking investment appraisals and project due diligence.
Senior board level experience in either the independent education or charity sector. (Desirable)
Track record of assessing risk whilst developing strategic priorities. (Desirable)
Detailed knowledge and experience of charity account and reporting. (Desirable)
Experience of private sector investments and fundraising. (Desirable)
Experience of systems development and implementation. (Desirable)
Experience of credit control and debt collection. (Desirable)
Experience of change management and people development. (Desirable)
Experience working across multiple entities and physical sites. (Desirable)

The Group Finance Director:

Must comply with School policies and procedures.
Have an awareness of and display commitment to the relevant legislation and guidance in working practices in relation to the safeguarding of children and young people.
Will be required to attend training sessions arranged by the School.

Duties – this is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the tasks that will be covered, and other tasks will be undertaken at the direction of the COO.

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Terms of appointment

Holidays: 5 weeks holiday per year + Bank Holidays. Attendance will be required on Bank Holidays that fall during term time, for which time off in lieu will be given. Holiday only to be taken following prior authorisation from the Chief Operating Officer (COO), taking into account busy periods.

Pension: The postholder will be able to join the Group’s Support Staff Pension Scheme on the first day of the month after completion of two months service. Where eligible the postholder will be auto enrolled into the Pension Scheme as per current legislation; further details may be obtained from the Director of Human Resources (Bursary).

Probationary Period: In accordance with School policy, all appointments are subject to a six-month probationary period.

Medical Self Declaration: The offer of appointment at Sherborne School will be conditional upon the provision of a self-declaration of physical and mental fitness to discharge the responsibilities of the role.

DBS Disclosure/Police Check/References: As the Sherborne Schools Group is registered to ask ‘exempted questions’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, successful applicants will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings; further details are available upon request. This post is also subject to receipt of two satisfactory written references, one of which must be your current/last employer.

Postholder’s Responsibility: You share with all staff the responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people for whom you are responsible, or with whom you come into contact. In doing so, you are expected at all times to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection Policy Statement. If you become aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, you must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (Child Protection Officers).

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Sherborne Schools Group, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 23 May 2025.

Applications should consist of:

A full CV.
A covering letter (ideally of no more that two pages) outlining how you meet the qualifications and knowledge and experience criteria of the person specification.
Please include details of two referees in either your CV or covering letter, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss further details about the role in strict confidence, please contact Samantha Bryan-Ross at samantha.bryan-ross@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7510 384 713 or Hayley Mintern at hayley.mintern@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7596 954 387.