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.

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.

However we reserve the right to change these dates and to make an appointment earlier than this, and the Stowe Group reserves the right to make an appointment at any time so early applications are strongly encouraged.

Stowe School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and an online background check with our 3rd party provider., Stowe is the contemporary co-educational boarding and day school. Pupils at Stowe are educated in a sublime environment in which we help to build confident young people who are proud of their achievements. We emphasise academic achievement alongside other learning experiences.

At Stowe, we believe that every pupil has abilities and talents and we are committed to helping young people develop their potential to the full. Preparing our pupils for life after Stowe begins in their very first year, with teaching and academic support that helps each and every pupil to achieve excellence in whatever field he or she chooses. Our pupils achieve superb GCSE and A level results and our curriculum is broad and innovative. Pupils explore an exceptionally wide range of subjects. Lessons are exciting and fulfilling. We do not restrict teaching styles, our academic staff are specialists who infuse our pupils with their enthusiasm for their subjects, and Stowe's unique surroundings and unrivalled facilities provide the best environment in which to learn.

Our value added scores place the School in the top 1% nationally. Academic support is given in the classroom and through our tutor system. Each pupil's attainment is monitored closely and pupils are challenged to set their sights high. Our Virtual Learning Environment provides teachers and pupils with a resource which can be accessed in and outside the classroom, and helps pupils to continue their studies in their own time. Teachers at Stowe embrace new technologies which are proven to improve pupil learning.

The compensation package for this role will be attractive and competitive with generous benefits, including the potential for discounted school fees at Stowe Group Schools., Salary: The compensation package for this role will be attractive and competitive with generous benefits, including the potential for discounted school fees at Stowe Group Schools.