Oasis Community Learning

Join Oasis Community Learning as Chief Financial Officer and shape the financial future of one of the UK's largest and most impactful education trusts.

Location: OCL National Role, Finance team based in Midlands (Visits to London Office and academies as required)

Salary: c.£140,000

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 23rd June

Who we are

Oasis Community Learning (OCL) (part of the Oasis Charitable Trust) is a national multi-academy trust serving over 31,000 students across 54 academies. Our academies are located in a variety of communities across England, and over half of our student population come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

OCL was established with a clear mission: to deliver education at the heart of local communities. Our work is built on the belief that every child should have the opportunity to achieve their potential, regardless of their starting point in life. In addition to delivering education, Oasis focuses on wider community transformation through our Hub model, which consists of locally rooted services that support children and their families beyond the school gates.

Everything we do in Oasis is underpinned by our values and the Oasis 9 Habits. We are committed to a model of inclusion, equality, healthy relationships, hope, and perseverance throughout all aspects of the life and culture of every Oasis Hub and academy community. As one of the largest multi-academy trusts in the country, we operate with a centralised model for key functions, including finance, and are preparing to launch a 2030 strategic plan that will guide our development over the next five years, as we focus on Exceptional Education, Remarkable People, and building Stronger Communities.

About the role

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be responsible for the overall financial management and sustainability of Oasis Community Learning. The CFO will lead financial strategy, planning, reporting, and compliance across the trust. Reporting to the CEO and forming part of the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO will work closely with the Board of Trustees and key stakeholders to support informed strategic and operational decision-making.

The CFO will manage a revenue budget of £270 million and oversee procurement worth £60 million annually. The role includes accountability for long-term financial planning, annual budgeting and in-year forecasting, statutory and regulatory reporting, audit coordination, treasury management and the implementation of financial controls.

The postholder will lead a finance team of more than 50 staff across national and regional roles. The CFO will ensure compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, ESFA requirements, and other financial regulations. They will oversee the preparation of consolidated statutory accounts and lead engagement with external and internal auditors.

The CFO will take responsibility for risk management within the finance function, maintaining a financial risk register and advising on mitigation strategies. The postholder will also lead the procurement function, ensuring that value for money is achieved through effective tendering, contract management and purchasing frameworks.

This role includes contributing to the Trust's 2030 strategy by advising on financial capability and ensuring resources are aligned with future goals. The CFO will assess the financial implications of growth, including due diligence on new academies and capital investment planning.

This position will involve external liaison with the DfE (including the Schools Financial Support and Oversight Department), HMRC, banks, legal advisers and other regulators or public bodies. Internally, the CFO will work closely with the CEO, National Directors, Regional and Service Directors and other national function leads to support cross-functional planning and delivery.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Chief Financial Officer who has held senior finance leadership roles in large and complex organisations. The successful candidate will be a fully qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) and will demonstrate a strong track record of financial stewardship, strategic planning, and operational delivery.

Experience in the education, public or charity sectors will be advantageous, particularly where this includes management of public funds and compliance with sector-specific regulations. Applicants should have experience of managing large, multi-site budgets, overseeing statutory accounts preparation, leading external audits and implementing internal control systems.

The ideal candidate will have experience of working with Boards and Audit Committees, contributing to risk management frameworks, and advising on strategic financial matters at senior levels. The ability to lead finance transformation projects, including changes to systems or structures, is highly desirable.

The CFO will be an effective communicator with strong analytical skills and the ability to influence senior colleagues and external stakeholders. They will bring a commitment to transparency, accountability and public value, and a high level of personal integrity in the stewardship of funds.

We are looking for a strategic thinker who can align financial capability with long-term organisational goals, and who will bring clarity, rigour and consistency to the Trust's financial planning and operations. Candidates should share the values of Oasis Community Learning and support our focus on improving outcomes for students and communities.

The ideal candidate will also possess high levels of personal integrity, ensuring that public funds are used appropriately and efficiently. We are looking for someone who shares our commitment to the Oasis ethos of inclusion, equality and community development. As part of a values-driven organisation, you will have a passion for supporting young people and their communities, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve at the highest level.

You will be a key contributor to Oasis's ongoing success and our 2030 plan, which aims to deliver meaningful change for our students and the communities they represent. If you are a strategic financial leader with a passion for education, we invite you to join us in making a lasting difference.

Peridot Partners and Oasis Community Learning are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.