The Stowe Group of Schools (Stowe School, Swanbourne House and Winchester House) GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR We are seeking an experienced commercial Finance Director to partner with an established Head, Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, and support the Governors in leading and stewarding The Stowe Group successfully through the challenges and opportunities it faces.
As a key member of the Group's Executive Leadership Team responsible for the design and delivery of the Group's strategic and operational plans, this role will direct and oversee all financial aspects of the Group's strategy, procedures and activities, and the flow of information to the Governor Committees.
Building on the success of the incumbent Group FD who will be retiring on 30 April 2025 after seven years in role, this is a very exciting time to be joining The Stowe Group. Reporting directly to the Head and with direct access to the Chair of Governors and Chair of the Finance Committee, the Group FD will be crucial in shaping and delivering The Stowe Group's exciting development agenda.
This Group FD role will oversee the finance functions of a range of entities including Stowe School Ltd (SSL), Stowe Enterprises Ltd (SEL), Stowe School Developments Ltd (SSDL), Stowe School Foundation (SSF), Stowe House Preservation Trust (SHPT) and Stowe House Enterprises Ltd (SHEL).
The successful candidate will be a commercially minded and entrepreneurial finance professional, capable of ensuring the Group's finances, investments and financial systems can both support and anticipate its educational and charitable ambitions. The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant and an accomplished strategic business planner.
They will have excellent communication skills and proven experience in managing a high-performing finance team, and the intellectual abilities, gravitas and sensitivity to command the respect of colleagues, students, parents, governors and external stakeholders. We welcome applications from a diverse range of prior professional and commercial backgrounds.
Prior experience of working in education is not required or expected, but candidates will need to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the independent schools sector, and an affinity with the vision, ethos and values of The Stowe Group.
The compensation package for this role will be attractive and competitive, including a six figure salary and significant generous benefits, including the potential for discounted school fees at Stowe Group Schools.
Our process We encourage potentially interested candidates in the first instance to contact David Stephens of Joining The Dots on 07739 457000 (or ******) for an informal and confidential discussion about their appetite and suitability for this role.
Candidate applications comprising a CV and covering letter should be sent to David Stephens at ******, and will be considered and assessed as they are received.
The deadline for candidate applications is 9am on Monday 23rd September. We anticipate that selected candidates will be invited to first stage interviews at Stowe on Wednesday 9th October 2024, and that second stage interviews will be conducted on Thursday 17th October 2024.
