Schools Financial Sustainability Manager

Job Title: Schools Financial Sustainability Manager
Starting Salary: £48,226 progressing to £53,460 per annum
Hours: 37
Base Location: Stevenage, hybrid working model with office presence required 2-3 times per week + countywide travel required to schools across Hertfordshire.
Contract Type: Fixed Term/Secondment until 31.03.2027
Directorate: Childrens Services

About the team

This is an exciting opportunity for a capable individual to join the Education Leadership Team working closely with senior leaders and governors in schools and our partners in HCC and Herts for Learning to support schools to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.

Schools’ financial sustainability is an increasing priority for schools. With growing pressure on school budgets, it is crucial that schools have robust and effective financial management in place to avoid a decline in education standards. Hertfordshire also has a number of small rural schools that will need help so that they can continue to support their local communities and educate local children. Working in a small, friendly team you will play a leading role in influencing schools to develop plans for long term stability and sustainability.

About the role

School budgets are under significant pressure, costs rising, pupil numbers falling and having to provide greater level of support to increasing number of children with complex needs leading to a greater number of our schools facing a deficit budget.

The post holder is responsible in taking a leading role on supporting maintained schools on becoming financial sustainable by leading on the school deficits action plan and reducing the financial burden on the local authority. Reporting to senior leaders on this high profile and complex project the post holder will work across teams across the organisation, our partners HfL Education and schools to help deliver support for schools to balance their budgets. The post holder will also be involved in complex case-work and addressing issues that may impact on leadership in schools.

About you

Essential:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders
• Capable of working in a complex and challenging environment
• Experience of building effective relationships with senior leaders
• Experience of working in an environment dealing with complex budgets
• Proven ability to assess and analyse financial information
• Proven ability to produce and present strategical progress reports to senior leaders
• Proven ability to drive forward the services strategic vision
• Full driving licence and regular access to a vehicle

Desirable:

• Understanding of schools finance/budget

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Community Services, level COM12 job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles - Community services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Tania Rawle tania.rawle@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: 9th March 2026 - Face to Face (Stevenage)

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.

Additional information

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.