Job Description

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We are looking for a Deputy Head of Finance Business Partnering to support the Finance Business Partners in delivering strategic financial guidance to various business units.



This role includes delivering insightful analysis, supporting budgeting and forecasting, and ensuring financial practices meet organisational goals. Acting as a key advisor, the incumbent helps stakeholders make informed decisions and enhance financial efficiency.



If you are an experienced finance professional, we would love to hear from you!

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.



We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.



As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.



Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.



To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the Why Work For Us page.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Your responsibilities will include:



Financial Analysis & Reporting


In-depth Financial Analysis + Examine monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements to assess business performance against targets and trends.
+ Perform profitability analysis at business unit, product, or regional level to guide strategic decisions.
+ Analyse margin performance, cost drivers, and overheads, recommending opportunities for efficiency and savings.
Reporting & Commentary + Prepare accurate and insightful financial reports including dashboards, variance reports, and commentary for business reviews.
+ Translate raw financial data into actionable insights tailored to specific audiences (e.g. operations managers, exec teams).
+ Identify data anomalies and validate results by reconciling figures with source systems.

Business Partnering


Stakeholder Collaboration + Act as a financial advisor to various departments/Schools, supporting them in managing budgets, understanding performance, and planning ahead.
+ Build trusting relationships with stakeholders by being approachable, knowledgeable, and supportive.
Decision Support + Provide financial modelling to support business cases, changes in trends, and contract negotiations.
+ Assist managers in interpreting financial outcomes and guide them on how to improve profitability and efficiency.

Risk Management & Compliance


Regulatory & Policy Compliance + Ensure adherence to relevant UK financial regulations, such as HMRC requirements, Companies Act, and internal financial controls.
+ Monitor adherence to internal financial procedures, policies, and delegated authorities.

Process Improvement & Systems Development


Efficiency in Reporting & Analysis + Identify areas in the financial reporting cycle that can be automated or simplified. + Develop Excel templates or dashboard tools to increase speed and clarity of reporting.

A full list of the responsibilities can be found in the Job Pack.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:


A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, ACA) Commitment to ongoing professional development to remain current with UK financial regulations and best practices A minimum of 6-10 years' experience in a finance role, ideally with exposure to financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. Experience in a commercial or multi-site operational environment is advantageous. Demonstrable experience working with financial systems such as Oracle, SAP, or equivalent ERP solutions for financial reporting and analysis.

For a full person specification, please download the Job Pack.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.



You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:


Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression Annual performance and loyalty bonus Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.



Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.



When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.



A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.

OUR VISION & VALUES

Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.



We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that's why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.



Job Reference: HF06612-HFED