Eltham College - Group Head of Finance

Summary

The Group Head of Finance is the senior finance professional across a group of three successful independent schools, responsible for providing strategic financial leadership

Detail

Job Title: Group Head of Finance

Hours of Work: Full time

Reports to: Bursar

Line Management: Up to four Finance Officers

Based: London (Blackheath Prep and Eltham College). Multi-site responsibility across three independent schools, with potential hybrid working for 2 days per week

Salary: c£75,000 (with some flexibility for an exceptional candidate)

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Principal Role

The Headmaster and CEO of Eltham College Family of Schools is seeking to appoint a Group Head of Finance who is responsible across a group of three successful independent schools, responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, ensuring exceptional financial stewardship, and delivering accurate, timely financial reporting. Reporting to the Bursar, the post-holder leads the financial management of the Group, oversees all financial operations, and manages a team of Finance Officers.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment: the schools are currently integrating onto a new finance system, and the post-holder will play a major role in embedding the new systems, processes, controls, and reporting frameworks. This includes ensuring full optimisation of the system, supporting staff through new workflows, strengthening data integrity, and improving automation and financial efficiency across all three schools.

The post-holder will also have the opportunity to review and improve the structure, roles, and responsibilities of the finance team, ensuring the function is properly aligned with the enhanced systems environment and capable of delivering a modern, high‑performing finance service.

Eltham College is a highly successful independent day school in south-east London, educating boys and girls aged 7 to 18 across both Junior and Senior Schools. The College has grown considerably over recent years: there are now over 800 students in the Senior School and around 260 pupils in the Junior School and places are heavily oversubscribed. Since 2020, girls have been able to join Years 3 and 7, mirroring the Sixth Form which has been coeducational for over 45 years. The school places an equal emphasis on academic, pastoral and co-curricular excellence and has an outstanding reputation in all three areas as well as for the friendly, unpretentious nature of daily life.

A competitive salary is available, together with a clear programme of staff development.

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Closing date: 8am on Monday 20 April 2026

First round Interviews will take place 23 and 24 April 2026

Final round interviews will take place at the end of April or early May.

Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and Eltham College reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made.

We welcome applications from all parts of our community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our student intake. Candidates will be assessed against relevant criteria only (i.e. skills, qualifications, abilities, experience).

Eltham College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants undergo enhanced child protection screening relevant to the post, including checks with past employers and the DBS.

Documents

• 2026.04-Group Head of Finance Candidate Information Pack PDF Document