Financial Controller

Help build a network where every child can succeed.

At Ark, we believe that every child deserves access to an excellent education, regardless of their background. For over two decades, we've been transforming lives through education, creating schools where children thrive, teachers flourish and communities grow stronger.

As we expand from 39 to 48 academies, we're looking for an exceptional Financial Controller to help provide the financial leadership that underpins our mission. This is an opportunity to join one of the UK's largest and most ambitious multi-academy trusts at a pivotal point in our journey.

Behind every outstanding school is a finance team that enables great decisions, protects public funds and gives school leaders the confidence to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional outcomes for young people.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Procurement, you will lead our financial control and reporting function across the Ark Schools network. You'll oversee a high-performing team of eight and ensure that our financial reporting, statutory compliance, treasury management and internal controls are robust, forward-looking and fit for a growing organisation.

This is far more than a technical accounting role. You'll be a trusted adviser to senior leaders, driving continuous improvement, strengthening financial governance and ensuring we remain an exemplary steward of the public and charitable funding entrusted to us.

You'll lead on:

• Delivering statutory accounts and year-end reporting across a complex group structure
• Leading external audit and regulatory reporting, ensuring full compliance with academy and charity requirements
• Overseeing treasury, cash flow forecasting and capital expenditure across the Trust
• Maintaining a robust financial control environment that supports a growing network
• Developing and mentoring a talented central finance team
• Improving financial systems, processes and reporting to support better decision-making
• Supporting the successful integration of new schools into the Ark network

About you

You're a technically outstanding qualified accountant who combines strong financial control expertise with a collaborative leadership style.

You'll bring:

• A recognised CCAB qualification with significant post-qualified experience
• Strong statutory reporting and external audit experience
• Experience leading and developing finance teams
• Excellent knowledge of financial controls, treasury and balance sheet management
• The confidence to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex financial information clearly
• A continuous improvement mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment

Experience within education, charities or the wider public sector would be welcomed but isn't essential. We're equally interested in candidates from complex commercial organisations who are excited by the opportunity to apply their expertise to a purpose-driven organisation.

Why Ark?

This is a chance to use your professional expertise to create lasting social impact.

Every improvement you make to our financial systems, every risk you help manage and every decision you support enables our schools to focus on delivering an outstanding education for thousands of children.

You'll join an organisation that combines the pace and ambition of a growing organisation with a clear social purpose, working alongside colleagues who are deeply committed to transforming children's life chances.

If you're looking for a leadership role where your technical expertise will have a meaningful impact far beyond the finance function, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply

Please apply via the link. We are proud to partner exclusively with Bryony Thomas from Allen Lane. For an informal conversation please contact Bryony directly through the agency website.

This is a fast moving process and an early application is highly recommended.