Chief Finance Officer

Salary: £82,000.00 - £92,000.00 Annually (Actual) Dependent on experience

Hours of work: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Contract: Permanent

A bit about us:

At DSAT, you will join an ambitious and supportive organisation where your expertise will be valued and your contribution will be visible. You will have the opportunity to influence Trust-wide strategy, modernise financial systems and processes, develop organisational capability and help secure a sustainable future for our schools. If you are an accomplished finance leader looking for a role with significant scope, purpose and influence, we would be delighted to hear from you.

All about the role:

Help shape the future of our thriving, values-led family of schools.

The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the next stage of the Trust’s development.

This is much more than a traditional finance role. As our CFO, you will be a trusted strategic adviser to the CEO and Trustees, helping to shape major decisions, strengthen our financial resilience and ensure that our resources make the greatest possible difference to children and young people.

You will lead the Trust’s financial and stewardship strategy across a diverse family of schools, bringing clarity, insight and ambition to long-term planning, investment and organisational growth. You will also ensure that we maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship, governance and control.

We are looking for a financially astute and values-driven leader who can combine professional rigour with commercial awareness and excellent judgement. You will be able to turn complex financial information into clear strategic advice, challenge constructively and build strong relationships with trustees, school leaders and colleagues across the Trust.

You will bring:

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification and current professional membership, and/or the CIPFA Level 7 qualification, consistent with the Academy Trust Handbook 2026 expectations for larger trusts.
• Significant senior financial leadership experience within a large, complex or multi-site organisation.
• Strong expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, risk, audit and financial governance.
• The confidence to provide clear, independent and appropriately challenging advice.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to develop high-performing teams.
• A commitment to public service and to the Trust’s Christian vision, values and inclusive ethos.

Experience with in the academy or wider education sector would be valuable, but it is not essential. Of greater importance is your ability to bring strategic insight, integrity and a genuine commitment to using financial leadership to improve opportunities and outcomes for children.

The role will largely be based in our attractive office accommodation in Wilton, near Salisbury, with the need for some travel across Wiltshire and Dorset, and the opportunity for some home working. We offer free parking and a number of staff benefits that can be viewed on our website.

Closing date (and time): 9:00am, Tuesday 3rd November 2026

Interview date: 11th November 2026

Commencement date: 1st March 2027

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All applicants will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check before appointment is confirmed.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings that are not ‘protected’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 & 2020). An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.