Shape the Future of Business Leadership in Education
Brunel is a values-led organisation committed to transforming the lives of children and young people through high quality education and outstanding business leadership. Brunel Academies Trust and Brunel Education, collectively known as Brunel, provides high-quality education and specialist services across all phases, with a particular commitment to supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
As our organisation continues to grow and evolve, we are seeking an exceptional executive leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Director of Business Delivery and Chief Financial Officer.
This is a rare opportunity to lead the strategic direction of corporate services across a complex and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust, ensuring our business infrastructure enables outstanding educational outcomes for every learner.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Business Delivery / Chief Financial Officer is responsible for leading the Trust’s corporate services and business strategy, ensuring that finance, people, estates, digital infrastructure and operational delivery work together to support organisational excellence.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will play a central role in shaping Trust strategy, driving organisational improvement, managing risk and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
You will provide executive leadership across:
- Strategic Business Leadership and Treasury Management
- Corporate Services and Business Operations
- People Services and Workforce Strategy
- Estates, Facilities and Capital Programmes
- Digital Strategy, ICT and Information Governance
- Procurement, Commercial Services and Contract Management
- Risk Management, Compliance and Corporate Governance
- Business Planning, Organisational Performance and Transformation
In your statutory role as Chief Financial Officer, you will ensure the Trust maintains the highest standards of financial stewardship, regulatory compliance and value for money while supporting ambitious plans for growth and continuous improvement.
About You
We are seeking an accomplished executive leader with the credibility, commercial awareness and strategic vision to operate at Board level.
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading business services within a complex organisation, ideally across education, public service or a similarly regulated sector.
- Executive-level leadership experience across finance, corporate services and organisational operations.
- A proven record of developing sustainable financial strategies that support organisational growth and innovation.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering organisational change across multiple service areas.
- Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to balance strategic ambition with sound financial governance.
- Excellent understanding of corporate governance, compliance, risk management and internal control.
- The confidence to advise Trustees, Committees, Executive colleagues and external stakeholders on strategic business matters.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build high-performing teams and develop organisational capability.
- A commitment to public value, inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people.
Why Join Brunel?
This is more than a finance leadership role. It is an opportunity to influence the strategic direction of one of the region’s leading education organisations and help shape services that enable thousands of children and young people to thrive.
You will join an ambitious Executive Leadership Team committed to innovation, continuous improvement and delivering excellent outcomes through outstanding business leadership.
- Alongside a competitive remuneration package, Brunel offers:
- Extensive Executive Leadership development opportunities
- Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme
- Brunel Perks employee benefits platform
- Comprehensive health and wellbeing support through Carefirst
- Annual salary progression
- Recognition of continuous service
- Free on-site parking and use of electric vehicles
If you are an experienced executive leader with the vision, commercial acumen and strategic capability to lead business delivery at Trust level, we would welcome your application.
Brunel Academies Trust is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people (CYP) and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check, references and medical clearance. All references will be obtained prior to interview in line with Safer Recruitment and KCSIE, and further references may be sought as deemed necessary.
Brunel Academies Trust is dedicated to the vision of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a team that reflects diversity from the communities it serves. We value the contributions of all colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds and actively seek to promote an environment which is free from discrimination and harassment; which at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance.
Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010, Brunel Academies Trust welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process that is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, pronouns preference, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy, paternity or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
In order for your application to be formally considered, we require a fully completed application form in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education & Safer Recruitment. This must include your education history, qualifications with dates and an unbroken employment history from leaving full time education to present day (with gaps accounted for). Please make sure all gaps in employment are explained in the box provided.