Associate Director Finance

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER STUDENTS UNION; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading student organization in Manchester is recruiting for an Associate Director of Finance to support the COO/FD. The role involves management accounting duties, including month-end processing and budgeting. Candidates should have strong technical accountancy skills and a passion for finance. This hybrid role offers flexibility and the opportunity to work across multiple organizations. An exciting opportunity for those who thrive in dynamic environments and are eager to develop their finance expertise.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in management accountancy.
• Ability to lead budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Experience interacting with Boards and committees.

Responsibilities

• Manage accounting responsibilities for the COO/FD.
• Handle month-end processing and balance sheet management.
• Develop strategic finance capabilities.

Skills

Strong technical accountancy skills

Reconciliation skills

Financial modelling

Job description

Please Note: We do not accept applications via external sites or email. Please apply via our website.

We are recruiting for a new role of Associate Director of finance supporting the COO/FD. The lead employer is the University of Manchester Students’ Union who have been working on developing a shared finance service model and so it will be working across multiple organisations in Manchester.

Initially this role will be taking over management accounting responsibility from the COO/FD. It will involve delivering hands on management accountancy duties such as month end processing, balance sheet management, VAT and leading on budgeting and forecasting. The role requires strong technical accountancy and reconciliation skills.

There is significant scope for development in this role once the day to day management accountancy aspects of the role are embedded. This will include developing strategic finance capabilities such as long term financial modelling and working with Boards and committees.

The role is hybrid and there is a requirement to spend time in offices in Manchester, however this can be delivered flexibly and the role holder will be given autonomy over how time is managed. UMSU is an exciting organisation and no two days are ever the same due to the varied nature of activity. This is a good opportunity for someone who likes a varied workload, is passionate about finance and has the drive to shape the role and make it their own.

Please read the full role profile before applying, as well as our guide to recruitment.

Details

• Salary: Circa £50K to 60k per year, dependant on experience
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: 35 hours per week

Recruitment Timeline

• Applications opened: 19/12/2025
• Applications close: 11/01/2026 23:59
• Interviews: 26/01/2026
• Role Commencing: 01/04/2026

We may close applications early if we receive a high volume of applications. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Once the vacancy has closed, we’re unable to accept late applications to ensure a fair process for all candidates.

Contact

People Team:

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Hiring Manager: Rebecca Eley

Email: [e-mail]