Aldwickbury School - Director of Finance and Operations

Hertfordshire
Aldwickbury School
Competitive
Full-time

Summary

Aldwickbury is a leading independent Pre-Prep and Prep School located on the outskirts of Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The Governors seek to appoint a full-time Director of Finance and Operations on a permanent contract.

Detail

The Governors seek to appoint a dynamic, financially astute and commercially driven Director of Finance and Operations (DFO), responsible for the leadership, management and overall effectiveness of the finance, operations and business functions of the school. Acting as the School’s strategic and commercial adviser, this is an exciting opportunity to work in partnership with an ambitious Headmaster and a forward-thinking Governing Body.

Recently awarded Independent Boys' School of the Year, Aldwickbury is celebrated for its outstanding educational provision, forward-thinking approach and strong pastoral values that underpin its success. The school seeks to build on this, as it embarks on the next chapter of its development. From September 2025, girls will be welcomed into the Pre-Prep (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) and will progress through the school year by year, being fully co-educational by 2031.

The DFO will help shape the school’s strategy and, with responsibility for the finance, operational and professional services, candidates will need to demonstrate proven ability in senior leadership, financial control, strategic planning, and operational delivery within a successful organisation. The DFO is responsible for the whole range of support staff and will be a key member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team. It is crucial that the DFO is a collaborative senior leader and is happy working in a collegiate atmosphere.

Applications are encouraged from candidates with backgrounds in commercial, charitable, private-sector, and public-sector organisations. Although a formal accounting qualification is not required, the DFO must be a strategic thinker with strong financial and commercial acumen, coupled with first-rate analytical and business skills. An outstanding communicator with strong leadership qualities, the DFO will strive for excellence and operate at pace within the school’s ethos and culture.

How to apply

Aldwickbury School is being assisted in the recruitment of this key appointment by the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA), from whom an application pack can be obtained by emailing recruiting@theisba.org.uk.

Alternatively, if you would like to discuss the position with ISBA prior to applying, please contact Lucy Wyatt on 07817 038009.

Closing date for applications is 12th January 2025.

Screening interviews conducted by the ISBA recruitment team will be held for long-listed candidates and short-listed candidates will attend first stage interviews and, if invited, final stage interviews at Aldwickbury School.

The ISBA reserves the right to close this position early in the event that they receive a high volume of suitable applicants.