Director of Finance (Chief Financial Officer)

Director of Finance (Chief Financial Officer)

Location: Southampton (SO19) or New Forest Hub (SO45) (with travel across the Trust)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Part-time 4 days p/week, flexible hours

Salary: Competitive, Local Government Pension Scheme

We are seeking an exceptional Director of Finance (CFO) to join our leadership team at a pivotal point in our journey. With the impending planned retirement of our current postholder, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the next phase of the Trust s development strengthening financial strategy, driving sustainability, and supporting future growth.

Working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership across all aspects of financial management, compliance and assurance. You will play a key role in delivering our Vision 2030 and our five Big Moves, ensuring every pound we invest brings maximum value to the children and communities we serve.

We are looking for a qualified finance professional who combines strategic insight with operational excellence. You will have a collaborative, values-driven approach and the ability to influence at all levels. Experience within education, public sector, or charitable contexts would be an advantage, but above all, you will share our commitment to integrity, inclusion and impact.

What's special about our Trust?

At Inspire Learning Partnership, we believe that people are the key to delivering exceptional education for every child. Yes, there are some perks to working in our Trust, but we feel that the most significant one, is that we provide you with an environment where you can do your best work, be listened to, involved and valued. Our people strategy is at the heart of our work across the Trust.

As a member of a small, dynamic central team, you ll have the chance to shape Trust-wide systems, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to our wider work across IT, procurement and sustainability helping ensure our schools thrive and our people flourish.

The successful applicant will be warmly welcomed into our Trust partnership and able to access a myriad of opportunities and experiences that will support personal and professional growth. We are research led and psychological safety is an important feature of the approach that we take to staff development and growth within our Trust.

How to Apply

Early application is encouraged as we anticipate significant interest and therefore reserve the right to interview exceptional candidates prior to the closing date.

If you would like to find out more about the role or arrange an informal conversation, please contact Rosie Perry, Executive Assistant to the CEO at Inspire Learning Partnership.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Inspire Learning Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

An enhanced DBS check is required for all roles in regulated activity. The specific safeguarding responsibilities of this role are outlined within Part One of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.

Further details concerning our safeguarding policies and procedures, including our statement on the Rehabilitation of Offenders, can be found on the Trust website.

As part of our due diligence and in line with the recommendation made in Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Trust reserves the right to undertake online searches on shortlisted candidates. Further details about our searches can be found within our Recruitment Policy.

Key Dates

Application Deadline: 12pm on Tuesday 24 November 2025
Interviews: Tuesday 2 December 2025