Wilds Lodge School – Rutland
Finance and Operations Manager
Highly Competitive Salary
Monday to Friday (8:30am to 4:30pm)
Permanent and Full Time
To start as soon as possible

We are excited to offer the opportunity to join our wonderful school and work with our exceptional students and staff.

The Finance and Operations Manager will play an integral role in the strategic advancement of the school and supporting the schools vision. You will be responsible for all finance matters and supporting the school operations teams. The appointed person will be a proactive problem solver with a solutions-focused mindset, a flexible can-do attitude, and adaptable to meet the needs of a dynamic school environment. You will be committed to inclusive education and improving outcomes for children requiring specialist education and therapeutic interventions.

Overview of the role and key responsibilities:
• Oversee and take responsibility for the integrity of financial operations of the school, including billing, purchase ledger, payroll, purchasing, banking and management reporting
• Line management of the Finance Manager and working closely with Estates and Facilities, Catering, and IT leads, ensuring alignment with school’s objectives
• Annual forecasting and budgeting, supporting the senior management team to understand the school’s financial performance versus budgets and monitor spending to deliver to annual budgets
• Work with the Head and fellow members of the SLT to play a central role in shaping, driving and implementing the School’s Development plan.

The successful candidate will have:
● Recognised accounting qualification – ACA, ACCA, CIMA with post qualification experience
● Minimum of 5 years management experience
● A valid driving licence
● Significant exposure of preparing monthly management accounts
● Evidence of strategic leadership
● Financial management experience within the education sector (desirable)
● A good honours degree or equivalent (desirable)
● Ability to build strong relationships quickly
● Strong analytical skill
● Ability to work under pressure and maintain confidentiality

About Wilds Lodge
Wilds Lodge School is an independent 38 week specialist boarding and day provision for boys and girls (girls are accepted as day learners only) for learners aged between 5 and 19 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, set in Empingham, Rutland. All the learners at the school have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
It was established in 2007 and aims to place an equal emphasis on the educational, social and psychological development of our learners.
The key to the success of the school is a strong ethos, developed by a highly experienced and capable staff, and the strength of the relationships between the staff and the learners.

We are a friendly school where staff are supportive of each other inside and outside of the classroom. We pride ourselves in ensuring all members of staff including our support staff have access to regular training.
All our members of staff attend regular training on child protection; mental health and multi-agency working. All staff access a wide range of training on areas of SEN such as Autism, attachment and ADHD.

Benefits Include:
• 3 discretionary ‘gift’ days off in between Christmas and New Year
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Free gym membership
• Free car parking onsite
• Access to free lunch/refreshments on site
• Access to a pension scheme
• Access to Employment Assistance Programme;
• Relaxed dress code in school holiday
• Later start time in the school holiday
• Excellent CPD packages and promotion and career progression
• Working in our beautiful buildings and surrounding grounds;
• You will also work within a welcoming and supportive environment with people who believe in working collaboratively, sharing ideas and supporting each other to achieve great things

Our school and students are incredibly important to us; if you have the energy and enthusiasm to make a real difference to the lives of our students, we would love to hear from you. Visits to the school are welcome and encouraged.

How to apply:

If this role aligns with your own ethos, experience and skills set, we would love to hear from you For more information, to arrange a visit and a full application pack, please contact Mike Sherwin on the below details:

E: wildslodge@hays.com
T: 07525 889925

Closing date for applications: 9am Friday 6th June 2025

Strong applications may be considered upon receipt

Wilds Lodge School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo Child Protection screening, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check)