Director of Finance

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

Benefits offered by this job

35 days annual leave

Birthday day off

Christmas closure

Parental leave

Volunteering leave

Discounted campus facilities

Onsite nursery

Job summary

Reading based Students' Union is seeking a Director of Finance to lead the financial strategy, governance and operations, ensuring sustainability across charitable and commercial activities. Reporting to the Chief Executive and working with the Board, you will oversee budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and implement modernised financial systems, while supporting strategic investment decisions and growth.

The role demands a fully qualified accountant with charity finance expertise and strong

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with senior leadership experience.
• Strong charity finance knowledge, including SORP and statutory reporting.
• Budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management and governance.
• Ability to lead a finance team and explain financial info to non-finance colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the SU's financial strategy, governance and operations.
• Provide high-quality reporting, budgeting, forecasting and analysis.
• Modernise financial systems and processes.
• Support strategic investment decisions and long-term planning.
• Collaborate with Board and Senior Leadership Team.

Skills

Financial management

Charity finance knowledge

Data analytics

Team leadership

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA or equivalent

Job description

Director of Finance

Reading based 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 a leading Students' Union (SU) in Reading 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.

The organisation is an independent, student-led charity dedicated to improving the lives of over 19,000 students at the University it is associated with. 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, the 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 SU'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. The 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 The SU

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

The 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.

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