Job Description

• Sapientia Education Trust
• Address: Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 9SZ
• Salary: £51,356 - £60,208 per annum
• Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
• Contract: Permanent. Required as soon as possible
• Reference: 8668

Sapientia Education Trust are seeking a Deputy Chief Financial Officer to play a central role in ensuring strong financial leadership across 22 schools, enabling them to deliver world‑class education.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing and ambitious trust at a pivotal point in its development. Working closely with the CFO and Finance Managers, you will lead key financial processes, strengthen controls, and support school leaders with high‑quality financial insight. This role would be suited to someone looking to move into education either from practice, commercial or other public sectors.

You will:

• provide advice and support to school staff on financial and budgetary matters, ensuring that they meet legal requirements and represents best practice
• lead the finance team through monthly management accounts and budget setting cycles, ensuring financial and non-financial objectives are met
• lead the end of year accounts, external audit, and internal scrutiny processes to ensure all matters are resolved successfully in collaboration with the trust’s external auditors and internal scrutineers
• continuously review processes, procedures and practices to ensure the service provided is effective, efficient and compliant with all legal requirements.

What we offer:

• Mentoring and coaching to support your career aspirations.
• Sodexo benefits account and Blue Light Card with discounts from major retailers.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme from Tusker.
• Hybrid working (one day per week from home after probation).
• 24/7 access to our employee wellbeing platform and resources.
• Local Government Pension scheme.
• Children of staff benefit from increased priority under the admissions policy for their school base after 2 years continuous service.

If you are a CCAB/CIMA qualified professional with integrity, strong communication and analytical skills with the ability to build relationships across a diverse organisation, we would love to hear from you. Join a trust that values your professionalism, supports your growth, and recognises the difference your work makes every day.

At Sapientia Education Trust, our purpose reaches far beyond education. We inspire curiosity, nurture potential, and empower over 8,500 young people across 22 schools to flourish. Behind that success is a dedicated Finance Team who are seeking an aspiring finance leader to join the trust.

How to apply

Please read the Recruitment Information Sheet (pdf) and Why join Sapientia Education Trust (pdf)

To apply please visit our website

Closing date: 12 April 2026.

Applications are to be considered upon receipt, so early applications are recommended.

The trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, therefore all applicants must be prepared to undergo a number of checks to confirm their suitability to work with children and young people. The trust welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. In accordance with the Department of Education’s “Keeping Children Safe in Education”, references will be sought on all short-listed candidates before interview.