Academy finance business partner jobs
How's your job search on our site?
WORKING WITH US
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.
?
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
We are looking for a Finance Business Partner to support some of our academies with clear financial insight, smart budgeting, and data-driven decision-making. You’ll work closely with Principals and senior leaders, acting as a trusted advisor and helping drive efficiencies across our schools.
If you’re an analytical, confident finance professional with strong stakeholder skills, we’d love to hear from you.
?
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Your responsibilities will include:
Financial Analysis & Reporting
- In-depth Financial Analysis
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to assess business performance against targets and trends.
- Perform analysis to guide strategic decisions.
- Analyse margin performance, cost drivers, and overheads, recommending opportunities for efficiency and savings.
- Produce and review monthly balance sheet reconciliations to ensure accuracy and reliability of reports submitted to stakeholders
- Reporting & Commentary
- Prepare accurate and insightful financial reports including dashboards, variance reports, and commentary for business reviews.
- Translate raw financial data into actionable insights tailored to specific audiences (e.g. operations managers, Principals, department budget holders).
- Identify data anomalies and validate results by reconciling figures with source systems.
Business Partnering
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Act as a financial advisor to various departments/Schools, supporting them in managing budgets, understanding performance, and planning.
- Build trusting relationships with stakeholders by being approachable, knowledgeable, and supportive.
- Decision Support
- Provide financial modelling to support business cases, changes in trends, and contract negotiations.
- Assist managers in interpreting financial outcomes and guide them on how to improve profitability and efficiency.
Risk Management & Compliance
- Regulatory & Policy Compliance
- Ensure adherence to relevant UK financial regulations, such as HMRC requirements, Companies Act, and internal financial controls.
- Monitor adherence to internal financial procedures, policies, and delegated authorities.
For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, ACA)
- Commitment to ongoing professional development to remain current with UK financial regulations and best practices.
- A minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in a finance role, ideally with exposure to financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Experience in a commercial or multi-site operational environment is advantageous.
- Demonstrable experience working with financial systems such as Oracle, SAP, or equivalent ERP solutions for financial reporting and analysis.
For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.
?
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.
Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.
When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.
A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.
OUR VISION & VALUES
Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.
We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
?
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:
- Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
- Annual performance and loyalty bonus
- Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
- 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
- Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
- Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
- Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
- 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
- Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans
For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.
About Spear
We launched the award-winning Spear Programme over 20 years ago, and there are now 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in the workplace.
Spear operates a joint venture model with churches across the UK to run our Spear Centres. Some Centres operate in collaboration with independent charitable trusts, while others are run directly with the local church (both referred to below as ‘Spear Church Partners’ or ‘Church Partners’) As a result, the Spear Partner Fundraising Manager role requires raising funds for both churches and charitable trusts.
About the role
Spear is in an exciting time of growth, as we expand our work nationwide. You will play a pivotal role in equipping new and existing Church Partners to build sustainable, thriving Spear Centres that transform young people’s lives.
With an annual fundraising target of £125k, you will combine strategic insight, relationship-building and hands-on application writing, as well fundraising advice to help Church Partners grow diverse and resilient fundraising streams. Working closely with Trustees, Church leaders and Spear’s Central teams, you will strengthen funding pipelines, unlock new opportunities and ensure partners are supported every step of the way.
Key information
- Salary: £37,000
- Contract: Full time (4 days considered) permanent. Monday – Friday with some out of hours work needed for events such as Spear Celebration. Ad hoc regional travel required to deliver training and support to partner churches.
- Annual leave: 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
- Closing date: Friday 27th March, 09.30am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate)
For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.
If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.
Person Specification
- A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment.
- Creative, self-motivated forward planner who exercises initiative, with the ability to prioritise workload, including working well under pressure
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce persuasive, high-quality fundraising applications
- Effective interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to relate confidently to a range of stakeholders both, internally and externally
- Experience in fundraising, Trust and/or community fundraising desirable, with good working knowledge of other fundraising streams is desirable but not essential
- Strong quantitative skills including ability to work with and interpret impact data, fundraising pipelines and basic financial information
We are an office-based organisation and value the collaboration and opportunities to work creatively and build community that this offers us, with staff spending time in the working week both at home and in the London office.
Spear is a dynamic, growing youth employment charity that coaches young people to overcome barriers and thrive in work and life.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the role
We are seeking an ambitious, strategic and relationship-driven Head of Corporate and Employer Partnerships to lead and deliver a national, high-impact partnerships strategy. This role is central to our growth plans and will generate sustainable income, deepen corporate and employer engagement and create tangible employment outcomes for young people. You will combine commercial instinct with social purpose - building partnerships that deliver measurable impact for young people and clear strategic value for corporate and employer partners.
Key information
- Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 dependant on experience
- Contract: Full time, Monday-Friday, 9.30 – 5.30mpm with some out of hours work needed for events such as Spear Celebration
- Annual leave: 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
- Closing date: Friday 27th March, 09.30am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate)
For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.
If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.
Person Specification
- A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
- Significant senior-level experience in corporate fundraising, corporate social responsibility, business development or strategic partnerships
- Significant experience within the corporate sector, with an established network of relationships across national businesses and employers
- Proven experience of delivering growth strategies and achieving income target, with a strong track record of securing and managing high-value (£100k+) partnerships
- Demonstrable experience of leading and developing high-performing teams
- Credible, confident and persuasive communicator with excellent relational skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite
- Resourceful and proactive, ability to manage multiple priorities, drive projects forward to completion and establish effective processes and structures
We are an office-based organisation and value the collaboration and opportunities to work creatively and build community that this offers us, with staff spending time in the working week both at home and in the London office.
Spear is a dynamic, growing youth employment charity that coaches young people to overcome barriers and thrive in work and life.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR
OASIS COMMUNITY HUB: WARNDON
PART-TIME 10 HOURS PER WEEK (0.25FTE) Mondays 8.45-2.45, 4 hours flexible.
(Post will require 1 day per month travel minimum to Birmingham)
FIXED TERM CONTRACT UNTIL 31/01/2027
SALARY: £6,635 (0.25FTE), £26,542 for 1fte
Want to enable young people to have positive lives?
Want to be part of a supportive, dynamic, fun & quality team?
Want to make the community a better place?
Want to grow in confidence and hope?
Our Youth and Community team based at Oasis Community Hub: Warndon are looking for a special, talented, and adaptable Regional Administrator, to help us strengthen and sustain our range of community and targeted youth programmes across Warndon and the Midlands region, through offering administration assistance and social media support. You will work alongside our Hub Leader to:
· complete a range of administration tasks to support the smooth running of the local hub projects
· Promote Community Hubs through various social media platforms
· Support the team with the implementation and effective use of the EVIDE data management system.
· Assist the regional director with administrative tasks as required
· Record all activity on our data management system.
· Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people you come into contact with.
· Actively engage in the learning and professional development courses provided as part of this employment.
We are looking for individuals who have:
· A relevant qualification in Administration/ Marketing and/or significant experience.
· Experience of working alongside other statutory and voluntary organisations.
· Knowledge of safeguarding practices with young people.
If you are enthusiastic about making a positive impact in our Oasis Midland’s communities, we invite you to be part of our journey. Apply now and help us create a brighter future together! As part of the package, Oasis offers:
· Flexible working where possible with family friendly policies.
· A non-contributory pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution.
· Training and professional development opportunities.
To apply, email your CV including a Supporting Statement. Your Supporting Statement should be no more than two A4 pages and must address the following question:
· Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualifications you have, that relate to the job description and person specification.
Completed applications should be returned by Midday Thursday 19th March 2025
Interviews will take place at Oasis Community Hub Warndon on Monday 23rd March 2025
If you want an informal chat about this role and Oasis Community Hub Warndon in general, get in touch with us via the Oasis Charity Job Website.
We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups.
Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK. supports Equal Opportunities. Registered Charity No. 1189489
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The HR team is committed to the attraction and retention of a highly engaged and performing workforce that is committed to delivering our vision to see isolated communities changed by the love of Christ. We do this by nurturing a supportive and encouraging environment, where strong relationships are built, personal growth, innovation and creativity are encouraged, and performance achieved.
As our new Talent Acquisition Manager, you will be doing exactly that. You will drive the recruitment operations for placements for both UK and overseas staff, leading the team and taking ownership and responsibility to execute a best-in-class candidate experience.
The Talent Acquisition Manager will lead recruitment for us in support of our strategic goals in this area, partnering with hiring managers and offering innovative and creative advice and solutions on how to attract and recruit the best talent available. This is a managerial role that requires strong decision making and the ability to drive the department forward progressively, but still very much a position where you will be expected roll your sleeves up and take a hands-on approach to deliver first-rate talent for the organisation, and experience for our candidates. You will oversee all recruitment activity passing through the UK office, owning our ATS and line managing the Talent Acquisition Officer.
1. Talent Acquisition Strategy
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the talent acquisition strategy, with a strategic focus on digital optimisation, to ensure improving placements for both UK and overseas roles.
- Oversee and deliver all employer brand initiatives and recruitment campaigns including hiring events to drive candidate engagement and boost our employer brand.
- Build diverse candidate pools, and create initiatives to attract and retain diverse talent.
- Develop and analyse our recruitment metrics, and use your knowledge, market insights, numbers and analysis to continually refine and improve the talent acquisition process using a data-led approach.
- Offer a clear, supportive and innovative voice in interactions with international colleagues to streamline processes and ensure seamless, effective collaboration.
- Use creative and innovative approaches to continue to reach new candidate audiences in a narrow field.
- Continuously review our process to drive improvements and change, especially through the use of emergent technologies.
- Work closely with colleagues in our youth outreach programme ‘Co-Pilot’ to develop, maximise and harmonise our approach in bringing a younger demographic into our talent pools, incorporating this relationship into our strategy.
2. Transactional Recruitment Management
- Create and deliver an annual international recruitment action and promotional plan
- Work in close collaboration with our marketing team in the promotion and delivery of recruitment advertising including online/offline and social media campaigns and analysing results to inform planning and performance improvements. Ensure that the recruitment message remains central throughout our range of communications activities and that our voice is clear, compelling and interactsand synergizes seamlessly with our existing central campaign operations
- Monitoring, reviewing, and developing the recruitment pages on our website to maximize engagement
- Being responsible for the discernment and wisdom required to undertake spiritual personal and assessments, refining a clear and robust framework to ensure a fair and consistent candidate experience.
- Overseeing the development and maintenance of physical resources for overseas recruitment
- Representing MAF throughout the year at festivals and other events within the UK as a passionate and compelling advocate
- Initiating high quality recruitment events in various forums throughout the year, focusing on producing a clear ROI
- Leading in the development of the Online Recruitment Journey
- Leading in the recruitment of UK roles
- Training and supporting UK managers with hiring responsibilities in effective recruitment techniques and selection processes, ensuring that colleagues are coached and upskilled to sufficiently assist in the delivery of an efficient campaign.
- Review the workflow of the recruitment process to ensure that the workload requirement for managers supporting the process is mitigated and manageable, whilst maintaining their engagement in the process.
- Work with the UK and International HR Managers to support a seamless onboarding process for all joiners
3. Overseeing our selection processes to ensure the progression of suitably skilled applicants who meet our faith, vision, and values criteria
- Designing and implementing robust, efficient, and personable selection processes that deliver an excellent candidate experience
- Overseeing MAF UK’s assessment processes and assisting with interviews where required
- Liaising with MAF International (MAFI) to discuss candidates’ potential fit for overseas roles
- Managing our use of UK psychometric assessment
4. Envisioning and delivering new initiatives to attract and build our talent pipeline
- Overseeing and driving proactive digital acquisition using LinkedIn and other platforms
- Working with other teams to design and deliver creative, engaging, and high-quality recruitment campaigns and promotional initiatives
- Raising awareness and leveraging team support for recruitment initiatives
- Establishing, developing, and sustaining collaborative relationships with key external bodies e.g., Christian bodies within the aviation industry, armed forces, and universities
- Selecting, training, and managing a network of volunteer recruitment champions, increasing the scale of our capacity to support at events and build a greater presence in the community specifically from a recruitment perspective
- Designing and implementing approaches to encourage greater diversity with applicants
- Demonstrating a data-led approach, monitoring recruitment statistics and measures to inform decision making, identify issues and prepare management information reports.
5. Partnership
- Building strong relationships with the MAFI recruitment team and proactively sharing resources, experience, and expertise with Engagement Units
- Member of the MAFI Recruitment Steering Group
- Establishing or contributing to recruitment learning circles with other Engagement Units
- Support efforts to integrate into one global entity from a recruitment perspective
- Contribute to the launch and maintenance of the Mission Aviation Academy, to continue to enhance our employer brand around our training schemes and ensure a sustainable funding pipeline for them for the future
6. Management
- Overall management of the relationship portfolios and specific management of ‘Premium’ enquirers portfolio
- Line manage, coach, develop and champion the Talent Acquisition Officer
- Participating in MAF UK organisation development initiatives and policy review
- Managing own time effectively to maximize organisational benefit
- Lead on the overall management and administration of the Applicant Tracking System
7. Legal, finance and professional
- Maintaining a high level of legal awareness and ensuring our legal obligations are maintained throughout the recruitment process
- Preparing and managing the recruitment budget
- Modeling self-leadership through continual professional development
8. Travel
- This role will involve some travel within the United Kingdom, particularly around the events season.
Other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Director of People and Culture including covering for other members of the team as required.
DIMENSION AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITY:
- Expenditure up to agreed budget.
- Responsible for managing the Talent Acquisition Officer and conducting regular 1-1s and Personal Development Reviews according to agreed standards.
- Decision making within agreed parameters.
TASKS COMMON TO ALL MANAGERS:
- Role modelling of organisational values and beliefs
- Contributing to the shared spiritual life of the MAF UK team as a Christian mission
- Attendance and participation in team and corporate times of biblical reflection and prayer
- Encouraging team members to attend, participate and lead in times of Biblical reflection at regular corporate prayer meetings
- Participate in planning in accordance with the MAF UK strategic plan and as outworked through matrix programme and project teams
- Keeping line manager informed of all relevant information in a timely manner
- Complying with statutory and organisational requirements for the proper handling of personal and sensitive data and ensuring good personal data handling practices are developed, reviewed, and encouraged
- Abiding by Safeguarding, Conduct and other MAF UK policies provided on the Intranet.
CHRISTIAN VALUES, BELIEFS AND ETHOS:
As a Christian mission, MAF UK seeks staff who share in the evangelical Christian values and beliefs as described in the mission, purpose, values, and beliefs statements.All staff will be required to actively support and demonstrate the Christian values of the organisation and to take part in organisational activities such as staff devotions, prayer meetings, and fellowship days.
Location: Hybrid working with the requirement to work in the UK offices in either Folkestone or Cranfield.
Working Hours:Office open officially from 9.00 to 5.30pm (9-4pm on Friday). Hours to be agreed according to flexible working policy.
Salary:£48,500
Terms:
Hours: As a senior appointment at least 36 hours per week but in addition those required to achieve the agreed responsibilities, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day.
Flexibility will be required for working additional hours and travel to meet business needs or for travel or meetings on weekends or evenings.
This role involves some unsocial hours, weekend work and travel within the UK
Leave:Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per year plus eight paid public holidays per year.
Pension: Non-contributory pension scheme (10%) of salary on joining.
Additional Benefits:
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for free, confidential support on personal and professional issues.
- Death in Service/Life Assurance scheme.
- Free on-site parking at our offices.
Probationary and notice period:
- 6-month probation period with mid-term review
- Notice period is 3 months.
Closing Date for Applications 22nd March
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
OASIS HUB BLAKENHALE
PART TIME: 15 hours per week
FIXED-TERM CONTRACT: 18 months
SALARY: £10,533 for 0.3 FTE and £28,088 for 1FTE
We’re looking for an organised, people‑focused Volunteer Coordinator to recruit, support and coordinate volunteers across our community projects.
At Oasis Community Hub Blakenhale we provide a range of community activities including stay and play, food club, warm welcome space and adult education, community events and school holiday activities. Together, we aim to Creating places of belonging where we can connect with each other. Creating opportunities to volunteer and be change makers. Create a community we are proud of. Volunteers are at the heart of this work and the role of the volunteer co-ordinator will be a key part of this community.
Key Responsibilities
- Recruit, induct and match volunteers.
- Promote volunteering through events and local outreach.
- Provide ongoing support, supervision and admin for volunteers.
- Coordinate volunteers across hub activities.
- Support corporate/skills‑based volunteering and training sessions.
About You
- Experience supporting volunteers or working in a community setting.
- Strong communication and organisational skills.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and confidentiality.
- Confident with Word and Excel.
- Relevant qualification or equivalent experience.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
What we offer
- Flexible working practices which encourage innovation and fresh ideas.
- A supportive network and friendly team in a motivating working environment.
- A non-contributory defined benefit pension scheme with 7% employer contributions.
- 25 days holiday per year (plus Bank Holidays), rising to 30 days after 2 years of service.
- Employee wellbeing schemes such as Cycle to Work and an employee funded health cash plan.
Application process
For full details please go the Oasis UK charity website.
Closing date for completed applications is 9am Friday 20th March. Interviews will take place at Oasis Blakenhale on Wednesday 25th March.
Please send us your CV and cover letter.
To arrange a visit or an informal conversation about the role, please contact Oasis UK Charity Jobs website.
We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.
The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.
Oasis supports Equal Opportunities. Registered Charity No. 1163889
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.