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Location: Manchester (hybrid/office-based)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience + pension and benefits
Start date: ASAP

A large, values-led education trust is seeking a proactive, detail-driven Finance Manager to join its central finance team in Manchester. This is a key role supporting strong financial management across a secondary school, ensuring excellent financial controls, timely reporting, and high-quality support to budget holders.

The role

Reporting into senior finance leadership, the Finance Manager will oversee day-to-day finance operations and provide accurate management information to support decision-making. You'll work closely with school and central colleagues to ensure financial compliance, value for money, and effective forecasting.

Key responsibilities

Produce monthly management accounts, including variance analysis and reporting packs.
Support budgeting and forecasting across multiple sites/teams.
Maintain strong financial controls (purchase-to-pay, approvals, reconciliations, audit trails).
Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and ensure an accurate month-end close.
Partner with budget holders to provide guidance, challenge, and support (including training where helpful)
Drive continuous improvement in finance processes and systems (automation/standardisation where possible).

What we're looking for

Proven experience in a Finance Manager role within education
Strong month-end, budgeting, and forecasting capability.
Excellent Excel skills and confidence producing clear, accurate MI.
Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
Organised, solutions-focused, and able to manage competing priorities.
Experience in education/public sector is desirable but not essential.

Benefits

Purpose-led organisation with a supportive team culture.
Professional development and progression opportunities.
Competitive benefits package (details available at application stage)