Head of Finance

Summary

St Catherine’s School — a leading independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3–18, set in 25 acres on the edge of the Surrey Hills — is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Finance to lead its Finance Team and support the long‑term financial sustainability of the School.

Detail

£72,000–£80,000 | Full‑time (0.8 considered) | Permanent

Celebrating 140 years in 2025, St Catherine’s combines academic excellence with a commitment to confidence, curiosity and character. This role offers the opportunity to modernise systems, strengthen controls and contribute to the School’s future development.

The Role

The Head of Finance will work closely with the COO, Heads and Governors, providing strategic financial leadership and ensuring robust financial management across the School.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Strategic financial leadership — long‑term planning, scenario modelling and insightful reporting.
• Financial management & control — budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, investments and audit oversight.
• Payroll leadership — managing payroll and pensions, ensuring compliance and process improvement.
• Compliance & governance — meeting all regulatory, charity and financial obligations.
• VAT & taxation — leading VAT processes, advising on tax implications and overseeing Gift Aid.
• Debtor management & family liaison — ensuring fair, supportive engagement with families and careful management of bursary/hardship funds.
• Team leadership — managing and developing a team of four finance professionals.

About You

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Senior financial leadership and line management experience.
• Strong understanding of financial systems, controls, governance and compliance.
• Strategic, improvement‑focused and confident influencing at senior level.
• Committed to the values, community and safeguarding responsibilities of St Catherine’s.

Desirable – experience in independent schools or multi‑entity charities, knowledge of Gift Aid, experience with school MIS/finance systems.

Benefits

• Generous pension scheme (up to 12% employer contribution).
• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays.
• Fee remission for daughters attending the school.
• Health Cash Plan
• Lunch provided during term time
• On‑site parking, and Cycle to Work scheme

Applications

The application should be completed on My New Term using the link to job opportunities below by 10am on Monday 15th June 2026 and should take the form of:

• the completed My New Term Application Form provided with these details
• a curriculum vitae if you wish to submit one to complement the My New Term application form.

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews may occur at any stage after applications are received. Please apply as soon as possible.

St Catherine’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and barred list check. The School is an equal opportunities employer.

Documents

• Head of Finance-compressed PDF Document