Cluster Finance Manager

Overview

In this role, you will lead the financial management across a cluster of academies to ensure strong financial control and compliant use of resources. You’ll partner with senior leaders to guide budgeting, forecasting and reporting, while developing a high‑performing finance team. You will drive improvements in financial processes and act as the main liaison for audits and external stakeholders. This is a chance to contribute to educational excellence through robust financial leadership.

Pay / Benefits

• salary 51-53k plus SYPS
• permanent contract
• full-time / flexible working
• opportunity to influence educational outcomes
• collaborative leadership environment

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Cluster Finance Team with coaching and performance management
• Oversee month-end processes, reporting and ESFA/compliance with accounting standards
• Provide financial advice to academy leaders on budgeting and decision-making
• Lead annual budget setting, forecasting and long-term financial planning for the cluster
• Monitor budgets, identify efficiencies and drive continuous improvements in controls
• Coordinate internal and external audits as the key contact
• Ensure accurate processing of income, expenditure, orders and payments across academies
• Build strong relationships with academy leaders, central finance teams and external stakeholders

Key requirements

• Qualified or part-qualified finance professional (or equivalent experience)
• Strong experience in financial management, budgeting and forecasting
• Previous leadership experience with the ability to develop and motivate finance teams
• Excellent analytical, organisational and stakeholder management skills
• Experience in education, public sector or not-for-profit environments is advantageous

• analytical thinking
• stakeholder management
• leadership and people development
• financial management
• budgeting
• forecasting

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