Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO)

The Chief Finance & Operations Officer (CFOO) is responsible for the strategic financial leadership, operational efficiency, and sustainability of Ambition Community Trust. This includes ensuring financial probity, compliance with statutory requirements, and the effective management of all business functions, including Finance, HR, Estates, Health & Safety, and Risk Management.

Ambition Community Trust is a brand-new Multi Academy Trust. The CFOO will be a key part of the newly formed executive leadership team. The CFOO will help develop and then lead the Trust's Business Support Team, working collaboratively with the CEO, school leaders and the Board of Trustees to ensure high standards of governance, compliance, and financial and operational effectiveness. They will drive value for money, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies, enabling the trust to fulfil its educational mission.

The CFOO will also:

· Provide expert strategic and financial advice to the CEO, Board of Trustees, and school leaders.

· Lead the Trust’s estate strategy, ensuring safe, well-maintained, and future-proofed school environments.

· Oversee HR operations, workforce planning, and compliance with employment law.

· Ensure a robust risk management framework, covering financial, operational, and legal risks.

· Support the CEO in their role as the Accounting Officer, ensuring compliance with ESFA and DfE regulations.

By integrating financial stewardship with operational excellence, the CFOO will play a critical role in enhancing trust-wide efficiency, sustainability, and educational impact.

About Ambition Community Trust (ACT)

Ambition Community Trust (ACT) is a dynamic Multi-Academy Trust committed to transforming the lives of children and their communities through inclusive, relational education. Our ethos is rooted in the belief that emotional safety, strong relationships, and high-quality teaching are the foundations of educational success and long-term well-being.

As a Trust, we are passionate about fostering compassionate relationships, promoting equity and excellence for all, and achieving quality through collaboration. Our schools operate as a community of practice, valuing the individuality of each school while sharing a common goal: to ensure that every child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.

ACT is proud to be a geographically cohesive Trust, primarily based in Tameside, with schools extending into Trafford and Manchester. Our diverse family of schools includes Primary, Special, and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and the importance of early intervention. This structure allows us to implement our Relational Inclusion approach at every educational stage, ensuring that all pupils—regardless of background or circumstance—receive the support they need to succeed.

Our Schools:

• Millbrook Primary School (Tameside) – Outstanding, 2024

• Greswell Primary School (Tameside) – Good, 2024

• Corrie Primary and Nursery School (Tameside) – Good, 2021

• Russell Scott Primary School (Tameside) – Good, 2023

• Broomwood Primary School (Trafford) – Good, 2024

• Gorse Hall Primary School (Tameside) – Good, 2023

• Meade Hill (SEMH) and Castlefield Campus (Manchester) – Good, 2024

• Southern Cross (SEMH) (Manchester) – Good, 2024

• Tameside Pupil Referral Unit (Tameside) – Good, 2022

Our strength lies in our collaborative approach, where schools work together to share expertise, innovate, and continuously improve outcomes for all students. Central to our vision is Relational Inclusion, an evidence-informed framework that addresses the root causes of barriers to learning, particularly the impact of trauma, attachment difficulties, and adverse childhood experiences.

By joining ACT, you will become part of a forward-thinking Trust that values integrity, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of better outcomes for children and their communities. We are committed to fostering environments where staff are empowered to lead, innovate, and make a real difference in the lives of young people.