Initio Learning Trust has a fantastic opportunity for a part-time Finance Business Partner to join their dedicated Central Finance Team.
Contract: Permanent, 0.5 FTE. 18.5 hours per week over 52 weeks or equivalent (working pattern is flexible)
Full time equivalent (FTE) Salary: Grade 11, £39,152 - £45,091 per annum
Actual Salary: £19,576 - £22,545 per annum
Approx Start: 1 September 2026
Location: You will be required to travel to both Bridport and Broadstone, with a combination of school/ office based and home working. Initially this role will primarily support schools in the Bridport area.
Key responsibilities:
Provide high quality strategic financial planning to ensure that the schools/Trust make the best possible use of resources and are able to provide the best outcomes for pupils.
Maintain and monitor the efficient management of the designated schools’ budgets. Maximising income generation and supporting development of grant applications.
Review monthly forecasts with school leaders to identify and understand variances, ensuring appropriate corrective actions are taken to maintain budget adherence.
Essential knowledge and skills:
Experience of working at School Business Manager level or equivalent.
Good general knowledge of finance.
Excellent numeracy and analytical skills.
Experience of explaining financial matters to non-financial personnel.
Experience of budget management and/or budget setting.
Strong working knowledge of academies and school finances.
Strong ICT skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with stakeholders.
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a fast-paced environment.
If you are a highly motivated and experienced finance professional seeking an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.
A current driving licence and your own transport is essential for travel across the Trust’s multiple sites and schools.
Please refer to the attached job description for more details about the role and requirements.
If you have any further questions, please contact the recruiting manager Sarah Stone (Interim Finance Director) by emailing [email protected]
About our Central Team
Inito’s central team consists of groups of specialists who provide the support, guidance and resources to enable our schools to focus on what they do best; delivering excellence in education.
Please visit our Trust website for a taste of what working in our central team looks like https://www.initiolearning.org/
Initio Learning Trust provides:
A supportive and welcoming environment with a genuine commitment to professional development.
A flexible, equal opportunities workplace.
Access to the local government or teachers pension scheme.
Employee benefits including a Health Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme.
Initio Learning Trust comprises 17 schools across Dorset, with our head office based in Wimborne. Formed in February 2022 from the merger of The Minerva Learning Trust and Wimborne Academy Trust, we offer outstanding education through every stage of schooling, from nursery through to upper sixth form. We believe in enabling every person to thrive within their role, and our core values of Ambition, Collaboration and Respect underpin the pride we take in offering genuine professional development opportunities for all our staff; and in our focus on staff wellbeing.
