Education Funding Specialist

Job Title: Education Funding Specialist
Contract Type: Full-time, 6-month contract

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Education Funding Specialist to lead the strategic development, delivery, and oversight of school funding across a complex education landscape. This pivotal role influences policy and supports effective, sustainable financial planning across schools and educational settings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on school funding strategy and delivery in line with DfE regulations, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and alignment with best practice and evolving legislation.
• Advise, challenge, and support educational providers on funding allocations and financial planning, contributing to transparency and sustainability.
• Provide expert guidance to leadership teams, stakeholders, and governance bodies on financial risks, opportunities, and legislative changes.
• Act as lead officer for the Schools Forum, supporting statutory duties and managing project work related to value for money, modelling, and funding analyses.
• Ensure intelligence about school financial positions informs strategic decision-making around school organisation, effectiveness, and provision for vulnerable learners.
• Lead and manage a Financial Services to Schools team, overseeing traded services and driving continuous improvement.
• Develop responses to national consultations on education funding and influence wider education policy with data-driven insights.
• Work collaboratively across teams and sectors to ensure effective funding for High Needs and SEND provision.
• Promote high standards of financial management through advice, training, and support to school leaders and governors.

What We're Looking For:

• A relevant professional qualification (e.g. CCAB, CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA) with evidence of recent continuing professional development.
• In-depth knowledge of education and finance legislation, funding mechanisms, and best practice.
• Extensive experience in financial strategy and management within a comparably complex environment.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills with a track record of developing effective financial strategies.
• Excellent partnership and communication skills, including the ability to influence and present to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage staff and lead teams, especially those delivering traded services to schools.
• Flexibility to attend off-site meetings and events, including outside standard working hours when required.

Why Choose Ackerman Pierce?

Ackerman Pierce calls upon over 15 years' worth of experience in recruiting directly into the Social Work Sector. We can offer a unique experience within recruitment where you have your own personal consultant, a DBS and Compliance service with a quick and easy registration process. We pride ourselves on a guaranteed weekly payment process.

To discuss this vacancy further or any other opportunities, please contact Elise Revett or email in your updated CV to us at Ackerman Pierce.