Do you want to join a team that provides outstanding leadership, strategic direction and support to some of the best schools in the country? Do you want to play your part in delivering outstanding learning and teaching to young people in disadvantaged communities? If so, joining the Star team might just be the best career move you ever make. About Star Central Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Institute and our schools. The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today's young people and inspiring tomorrow's leaders. Who we're looking for We are looking to appoint a Head of Finance to provide financial leadership and management support across designated Lancashire based schools. You will lead the development of financial operations and take responsibility for financial matters in the designated schools. The successful candidate will provide specific expertise in long-term financial management, ensuring that all of the designated schools meet the requirements set out by the Department for Education (DfE) and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and comply with their statutory obligations. You will also work with the Principal and Trust's Management Accountant to prepare annual Budgets for each of the designated schools/academies, managing day-to-day operational spend. You will have: A degree qualification and a professional qualification or equivalent in Finance Experience of managing large and complex budgets Experience of producing and presenting complex management accounts Excellent financial management and financial planning skills The ability to introduce and maintain effective and robust financial systems The ability to analyse financial issues and to interpret complex information and to offer sound, reliable professional advice About Star Academies Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 20 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you'll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person's future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed. Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level. We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans. Find out more Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Star Central by calling 0330 313 9800. Key Dates Closing Date: Wednesday 3rd July 2019 at midnight Interview Date: Wednesday 10th July 2019 Proposed Start Date: TBC Our Commitment Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks. We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.