Key Role Information

Salary
£43,149.00 - 47,665.00
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
29/11/2026 00:00
Interview
w/c 7th December 2026
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
DDAT Pay Grade 11
Department
Finance
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
40.00
Weeks per year
52.143
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Job Title: Senior Finance Officer

Contract: Permanent

Hours per week: Full-time – 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Salary: DDAT Grade 11 Pay Points 31-35, £43,149.00 to £47,665 FTE

Location: Head Office at Bakewell / other schools within the Trust / hybrid working from home

Reports to: Finance Manager


An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Senior Finance Officers to join Derby Diocesan Academy Trust’s (DDAT) central team.

DDAT is a Multi Academy Trust that oversee and support schools across Derbyshire and Derby City. Established in 2014 by the Diocese of Derby, DDAT is committed to providing high quality education for all children in their academies based on clearly established Christian values and principles. As a growing Trust, the Senior Finance Officer will play a pivotal role in our future growth.

Reporting directly to the Finance Manager, the Senior Finance Officer will build strong relationships with our schools to ensure compliance with financial procedures and support them with the monitoring of Academy budgets.

 

The successful candidate will:

  1. Have experience of working in a school or Academy senior financial role, or similar position working alongside schools.
  2. Provide sound financial knowledge to School Business Mangers and Headteachers on all aspects of finance.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to support, challenge, and work in coproduction with senior colleagues and executive teams on all aspects of finance.
  4. Have experience of effectively managing a complex and varied workload.
  5. Be results-oriented, motivated by goals and be driven to achieve those goals.
  6. Display excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with a range of stakeholders with empathy and purpose.

In return, DDAT will offer you:

  1. An opportunity to work as part of a supportive team and empower you to further develop the Trust.
  2. A competitive salary and LGPS pension contributions.
  3. Ongoing high quality professional development opportunities.
  4. Hybrid working with the opportunity to work from the office in Bakewell, home and the DDAT schools across the Trust.
  5. Benefits including but not limited to; Free onsite parking at Bakewell Head Office, Cycle to Work Scheme, free eye tests and a contribution towards a pair of glasses for employees using VDU’s, Employee Assistant Programme & an opportunity to work flexibly.

DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.

DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).


Please note that all candidates must have a right to work in the UK in order to be able to work at our Trust. Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for international job applicants.


Closing Date: 29th November 2026

Provisional Interview date: w/c 7th December 2026

Skills

Experience

Successful experience of working in a senior financial management role or a related field. essential
Experience in preparation, monitoring and reporting of large and complex budgets.essential
Experience of producing and presenting complex management accounts. essential
Experience in preparation, monitoring and reporting of large and complex budgets.essential
Finance degree, CCAB full/part qualified or AAT. essential
Evidence of significant and relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD). essential
Successful experience of working in a school or Academy financial management role, or in a similar position working alongside schools e.g. LA or independent education sector.
Experience of academy budgets.
Engagement with wider educational partnerships spanning the primary, secondary and local authority sectors e.g. TSAs, MATs or the Diocese.
Experience of developing school or academies financial systems.
Knowledge of Academy financial rules and regulations .
Knowledge of Charities SORP.
Knowledge of PAYE and VAT regulations .

Personal Attributes

Excellent financial management and financial planning skills. essential
Ability to introduce and maintain effective and robust financial systems. essential
Outstanding communication skills; ability to communicate effectively at CEO, Headteacher, senior staff and Chair of Governors level and to liaise effectively with internal and external auditors, as well as Government agencies essential
Commercial awareness and ability to achieve value for money. essential
Competent and confident in using Microsoft Office. essential
Ability to work effectively under pressure, managing conflicting priorities and to meet challenging deadlines essential
Ability to work independently to tackle problems creatively and to think laterally. essential
Self-motivated and a good time manager.essential
Motivation to work with children & young people / in an educational setting essential
Excellent numerical and verbal skills, understanding and application. essential
A positive, enthusiastic outlook with the energy, drive, enthusiasm and determination to succeed essential
Must be proactive not reactive. essential
Driving licence and use of own car. essential
Ability to occasionally attend evening meetings as required. essential
Commitment to and belief in equality of opportunity for all.essential
Ability to work as a supportive member of a small team, acting flexibly to support colleagues at pressure points. essential
Ability to analyse financial issues and to interpret complex information and to offer sound, reliable professional advice. essential
Ability to interrogate school performance data and finances accurately and identify next steps for progress.
Good negotiation skills.
Ability to successfully manage initiatives for change
Experience of advanced Excel skill including the use of pivot tables and macros.
Knowledge of using educational finance packages.
Ability to cope resiliently with the responsibilities and demands of the post.
Receptive to new ideas and able to generate them

About Us

The vision and values that DDAT is built upon are Christian in nature and represent values and principles that are important to people of all faiths and no faith. There is a focus on individuality, collaboration and unity; there is a real sense of belonging within DDAT. This is well-balanced with a sense of autonomy and empowerment enabling schools to flourish as separate and unique entities.


Derby Diocesan Academy Trust

HR Team

hr@ddat.org.uk

Unit 3 Endcliffe Mount, Deepdale Business Park
Ashford Road
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1GT
HR Team
hr@ddat.org.uk

Safeguarding Information

DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.


DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.


This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).