South Hampstead High School is regarded as one of the UK’s foremost day schools and caters for girls aged 4-18. Since its establishment in 1876, the school has been a trailblazer in women's education. With a rich academic legacy, the school takes pride in its history while embracing progressive approaches to meet evolving educational and societal demands. Following a significant redevelopment in 2014, our campus now boasts cutting-edge facilities, providing an exceptional learning environment. Continuously achieving outstanding academic results, South Hampstead consistently ranks among the top schools nationwide, and our pupils go on to attend leading universities both in the UK and across the globe.
We wish to appoint a dynamic and inspiring Director of Finance & Operations (DFO) who will serve as a cornerstone not just within the Senior Leadership Team but also among the support staff and the broader community. As a vital part of our team, reporting directly to the Head, you will be instrumental in shaping the long-term strategic direction of the school. Your responsibilities will span across a broad portfolio including Finance, HR, Estates, IT, Administration, Catering, and Housekeeping.
The ideal candidate will possess a robust commercial mindset, backed by relevant qualifications and ideally membership of a professional body within Finance, Property, or Human Resources. Building strong relationships and establishing credibility with senior stakeholders will be central to your role, as well as providing leadership and daily support to multiple operational teams. You will drive a culture of continuous improvement and positive change. You will be an outstanding leader, serving as a role model for the support team and effectively collaborating with academic staff, parents, pupils, and Trust representatives. An approachable demeanour and adaptability are key, as you will be integral to the day-to-day operations and future development of the school.
For a confidential discussion and the full briefing particulars, please contact our retained advisors Kirsty Hassan: Kirsty.Hassan@schoolsleadership.com or Sian Gardiner sian.gardiner@schoolsleadership.com.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 2 June 2024
Applications should comprise a CV and covering letter and be sent via email to talk@schoolsleadership.com.
South Hampstead High School, a member of GDST, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects all employees to share this commitment. All employees must be willing to undergo child protection training and screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The school strives to be an inclusive workplace and value diversity in our team. Applications from minority ethnic colleagues and from majority ethnic colleagues who share our commitment to race equality in the education workforce are welcomed.