Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Certification
Systems Experience
Hobbies and interests
Timeline
Generic
Jo Leary

Jo Leary

South Woodford,London

Summary

Strategic finance and operations leader with a strong background in financial management and operational efficiency within educational institutions and local government. Delivered annual surplus balances, implemented capital programmes, and achieved cost reductions through process improvements. Engaged stakeholders, collaborated across functions, and mentored teams to meet organisational goals. Expertise in financial reporting, budget management, and aligning reserves strategies with long-term objectives while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Overview

2
2
Languages
1
1
Certification
26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Business & Finance Efficiency project manager

Various - self employed
London
02.2026 - Current
  • Development of contracts register to achieve financial efficiencies in reviewing, negotiating and renewing utilities and phones contracts
  • Financial procedures and processes to ensure clear delegated responsibilities, and deadlines
  • Development of management accounts, cash flow analysis and revenue streams
  • Fulfilled business obligations ahead of set deadlines and following terms of agreements.

Consultant Finance & Operations Director

City of London Academies Trust
05.2024 - 05.2025
  • Supported budget strategy and scrutiny, reviewing management accounts forecasting and analysing staff cost plans
  • Mentored incoming Head of Operations & Finance, facilitating transition and knowledge transfer
  • Provided comprehensive handover information and guidance to Principal and Head of Operations, ensuring continuity

Reason for leaving: End of contractual project requirements and career break, time with my young son.

Director of Finance & Operations

City of London Academies Trust
London
09.2020 - 04.2024

Led all business and operational functions for CoLAT schools in Hackney and Newham, ensuring efficient and effective execution of support services aligned with organisational objectives.

Oversaw financial operations, developing medium-term budget strategies and forecasting to ensure alignment with organisational objectives

Delivering professional strategic leadership across multifunctional operations

  • Presenting key financial and operational insights at Local Governing Boards, Resource Committees, Trust Board and Senior Leadership meetings.
  • Established effective processes to optimise operational efficiency while aligning with organisational objectives
  • Executed building and IT capital programmes through strategic procurement practices and robust best practice processes in excess of £10m cumulatively
  • Led performance management process and target setting for support staff, enhancing accountability and operational effectiveness
  • Effective implementation of Trust policies and procedures to guarantee best practice across sites
  • Consistent annual surplus balances across individual organisations
  • Execution of extensive capital programmes across various locations

Executed delivery of reserves strategies aligned with organisational objectives

  • Benchmarking leading practices against DfE frameworks
  • Reduced annual revenue facilities budgets and expenditure by 25% over three years at City Academy Hackney
  • Key Duties
  • Key achievements
  • Reason for leaving: I chose to take a career break, and to focus on family and childcare responsibilities.

Reason for leaving: I chose to take a career break, and to focus on family and childcare responsibilities.

Head of Finance & Operations

Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre
10.2014 - 08.2020
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive financial management practices for new institution
  • Analysing management accounts to identify variances and implemented corrective strategies
  • Financial and benchmarking modelling including detailed staff and curriculum costing medium term budget planning
  • Conducted risk assessments and identified financial opportunities, contributing to institution's fiscal health and long-term sustainability.
  • Managed procurement processes, negotiating contracts to secure cost-effective services and resources for the organisation.
  • Managed contracts for efficient service delivery, reviewing KPIs and value for money to align with organisational needs.
  • Trained finance and non finance staff on effective budget management methods to improve overall efficiency
  • Reported operational functions to Principal, Governing Board, LA, and leadership, facilitating informed decision-making.
  • Mentored finance and operations staff, fostering professional development and encouraging best practices within the team
  • Production and submission of all DfE statutory data returns including school census and funding information

Reason for leaving: Promotion to the role of DoF&O.

Senior Finance Business Partner

London Borough of Newham
04.2012 - 09.2014
  • Developed and presented financial forecasts to senior management, facilitating strategic decision-making for departmental objectives
  • Prepared comprehensive financial reports and forecasts, presenting insights to senior leaders
  • Led budgeting processes and provided ongoing financial support to children's services departments including post 16 educational support, social care, and early years support budgets
  • Collaborated with multiple departments to analyse financial performance, identifying and recommending cost reduction strategies
  • Managed stakeholder relationships, delivering regular updates on financial performance and forecasts to inform decision-making
  • Produced monthly management accounts and year-end closing statements
  • Conducted in-depth analysis of staff costing to support budget planning decisions.
  • Mentored junior finance staff, providing guidance on financial modelling and the use of financial tools to improve their skill sets
  • Finance lead for the Children and Young People's Service, reporting to the Children's Services director and senior leadership team

Reason for leaving: New role and career progression.

Senior Principal Finance Officer

London Borough of Newham
03.2009 - 03.2012
  • Oversaw central education budgets, documenting changes and tracking expenditure and income for accurate financial reporting.
  • Produced monthly management accounts and forecasts to inform strategic decision-making.
  • Oversaw financial audits, collaborating with external auditors to facilitate smooth processes and address any identified discrepancies
  • Liaised with stakeholders across education services to enhance financial performance and operational efficiency.
  • Mentored finance team members, providing guidance and support in financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
  • Facilitated year-end account closures

Transitioned to Senior Finance Business Partner role due to promotion.

HR & Finance Support

London Borough of Newham
09.2000 - 02.2009
  • Supported HR and finance operations through administrative tasks, including bank reconciliations, filing, data processing, and PA support, ensuring smooth daily operations.

Worked closely with team members on project tasks to ensure alignment and achieve targeted outcomes.

  • Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
  • Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
  • Reason for leaving: Promotion to the role of Senior Principal Finance Officer.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Marketing with Management

Middlesex University
London
2000

NVQ Level 3 -

St Angela’s & St Bonaventures Sixth Form
London
1997

GCSEs -

St Angela’s Ursuline Convent School
London
1995

Skills

  • Financial analysis
  • Budget Management
  • Financial sustainability
  • Operational strategy
  • Operational optimisation
  • Process improvement
  • Project Management
  • Project delivery
  • Strategic planning
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Leadership engagement
  • Leadership
  • Attention to detail
  • Critical-thinking
  • Effective communication
  • Relationship-building
  • Budget Management

Languages

English
Proficient
C2
Spanish
Beginner
A1

Certification

  • CIMA Advanced diploma in Management Accounting

Systems Experience

  • PS Financials
  • IRIS Financials
  • Parent Pay
  • Trent
  • Google Drive
  • Microsoft excel, word, outlook, PowerPoint

Hobbies and interests

  • I am a keen runner regularly partaking in Parkruns and longer distances runs and I love reformer Pilates, attending a few classes weekly. Music and attending gigs and festivals is also a huge passion. I also love interior design.

Timeline

Business & Finance Efficiency project manager

Various - self employed
02.2026 - Current

Consultant Finance & Operations Director

City of London Academies Trust
05.2024 - 05.2025

Director of Finance & Operations

City of London Academies Trust
09.2020 - 04.2024

Head of Finance & Operations

Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre
10.2014 - 08.2020

Senior Finance Business Partner

London Borough of Newham
04.2012 - 09.2014

Senior Principal Finance Officer

London Borough of Newham
03.2009 - 03.2012

HR & Finance Support

London Borough of Newham
09.2000 - 02.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Marketing with Management

Middlesex University

NVQ Level 3 -

St Angela’s & St Bonaventures Sixth Form

GCSEs -

St Angela’s Ursuline Convent School
Jo Leary