Director of Finance

Marble Mayne Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days annual leave

Birthday day off

Christmas closure

Enhanced parental leave

Paid volunteering leave

Discounted campus facilities

Onsite nursery

Job summary

Reading Students' Union, Reading SU, is an independent, student-led charity serving over 19,000 students at the University of Reading. With annual income exceeding £5 million, it combines charitable activities with hospitality, catering, events and an onsite nursery.

This Director of Finance role leads the Union's financial strategy, governance and operations, stabilising finances for the future while modernising systems and driving data-informed decisions.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with charity finance knowledge.
• Experience with charity accounting standards (SORP) and governance.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow management.
• Ability to translate financial data for non-finance colleagues.
• Interest in modernising finance systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Union's financial strategy, governance and operations.
• Provide high-quality financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and analysis.
• Maintain robust financial controls and charity accounting compliance.
• Support strategic decisions and long-term financial planning.
• Develop and lead the finance team.

Skills

Financial management

Strategic thinking

Data analytics

Leadership

Communication

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA)

Job description

Director of Finance

Reading Students' Union

Salary: £61,335 - £65,070 per annum
Location: Reading, Berkshire (Onsite)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Closing Date: Tuesday 24th November 2026, 12pm (noon)

Marble Mayne Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with Reading Students' Union (Reading SU) to recruit a new Director of Finance. This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant, ambitious and values-led organisation at a pivotal stage in its development.

Reading SU is an independent, student-led charity dedicated to improving the lives of over 19,000 students at the University of Reading. With annual income exceeding £5 million, the organisation combines its charitable activities with a diverse range of commercial operations, including hospitality, catering, events and an onsite nursery.

Following a significant period of change, Reading SU has a refreshed Senior Leadership Team and an ambitious strategy focused on long-term sustainability, innovation and delivering the best possible student experience.

This is a key senior leadership appointment, offering the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the organisation's future direction.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will lead the Union's financial strategy, governance and financial operations, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable and well-positioned for the future.

You will oversee the finance function, providing high-quality financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and analysis, while maintaining robust financial controls and ensuring compliance with charity accounting requirements.

Importantly, this is much more than a traditional finance leadership role. Reading SU is looking for someone who combines strong technical financial expertise with commercial awareness, strategic thinking and an excellent understanding of data and business analytics. You will help colleagues understand financial performance, identify opportunities and make informed decisions across both charitable and commercial operations.

A key priority will be the ongoing modernisation of financial systems, reporting and processes, making better use of technology and data to improve efficiency and provide meaningful financial insight.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will also contribute to wider organisational strategy, investment decisions and long-term financial planning.

About You

We are looking for a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with strong financial management experience and the confidence to operate at a senior strategic level.

You will bring excellent technical charity finance knowledge, including the Charities SORP, restricted funds, statutory reporting, audit, reserves and financial governance, alongside strong management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow management skills.

Commercial awareness and the ability to interpret financial and operational data will be essential, as will an interest in modernising finance systems and improving processes.

You will be an approachable, collaborative leader who can develop a finance team, build effective relationships across the organisation and communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.

Above all, you will be proactive, solutions-focused and comfortable balancing strategic leadership with a practical, hands-on approach.

Working at Reading SU

This is an onsite leadership role based at Reading SU's Whiteknights campus in Reading, offering the opportunity to work closely with colleagues and play an active part in the organisation.

• Reading SU offers an attractive benefits package, including 35 days' annual leave, an additional birthday day off, Christmas closure (included within the 35 days), enhanced parental leave, paid volunteering leave, discounted campus fitness facilities and an onsite nursery.

Reading SU is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and particularly welcomes applications from candidates from Global Majority backgrounds and disabled candidates, who are currently under-represented within its Senior Leadership Team.