Finance Manager

Reed Talent Solutions; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The West Midlands Growth Company is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead the finance team, deliver accurate reporting and forecasting, and strengthen financial controls across the organisation. Reporting to the Senior Finance & Procurement Manager, you will drive governance and risk management while enabling strategic decision-making.

You will oversee management accounts, budgeting, payroll and audit activity, ensuring efficient financial systems and stakeholder engagement to support

Qualifications

• Experience in a finance management role with reporting, forecasting and financial controls.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets and financial analysis.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Knowledge of payroll, VAT, audit and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and proficiency in financial systems and Excel.
• A proactive and collaborative approach.
• ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in public sector, grant-funded or economic development environments.
• Knowledge of financial risk management and fraud controls.
• Experience improving financial processes and systems.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Leading Financial Reporting and Forecasting.
• Providing accurate, timely financial information and insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Driving Effective Financial Controls and Governance.
• Ensuring robust financial processes, risk management and compliance frameworks are embedded across the organisation.
• Managing and Developing the Finance Team.
• Creating a proactive, high-performing finance function that delivers excellent service across the business.
• Preparing monthly management accounts, forecasts and financial reports.
• Supporting budgeting, cashflow forecasting and financial planning activities.
• Managing payroll, pension reporting, VAT returns and statutory submissions.
• Overseeing financial systems, controls and reporting processes.
• Reviewing and authorising purchase orders, payments and expenditure in line with budgets.
• Maintaining risk registers, fraud controls and finance policies.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, controls and reporting efficiency.
• Supporting wider organisational projects and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Proactive approach

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent qualification

Job description

We're looking for an experienced and proactive Finance Manager to join the West Midlands Growth Company and play a key role in supporting the organisation's continued growth and success. If you're a commercially minded finance professional who thrives on delivering accurate financial insight, strengthening controls, leading high-performing teams, and supporting strategic decision-making, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Who are we?

The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) is the region's economic development delivery organisation.

From April 2026, we will lead the delivery of regionally commissioned economic development activity aligned to the West Midlands Growth Plan, working in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and local authorities.

We are building a sharper, business-focused organisation that attracts investment, supports high-growth companies and drives measurable economic impact.

If you want your work to shape how growth is delivered across one of the UK's most important regions, this is your opportunity!

The Role

As our new Finance Manager, you'll lead the Finance team and play a critical role in delivering accurate financial reporting, forecasting and financial controls across the organisation. Reporting to the Senior Finance & Procurement Manager, you'll ensure that financial systems, processes and governance frameworks support informed decision-making while minimising financial risk.

Leading a team of finance professionals, you'll oversee management accounts, budgeting, payroll, audit activity, financial compliance and stakeholder engagement, helping to ensure the organisation operates efficiently and effectively.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with leadership experience who is looking to make a significant impact within a purpose-driven organisation focused on regional growth and economic development.

You'll Be Involved In:

• Leading Financial Reporting and Forecasting.
• Providing accurate, timely financial information and insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Driving Effective Financial Controls and Governance.
• Ensuring robust financial processes, risk management and compliance frameworks are embedded across the organisation.
• Managing and Developing the Finance Team.
• Creating a proactive, high-performing finance function that delivers excellent service across the business.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing monthly management accounts, forecasts and financial reports.
• Supporting budgeting, cashflow forecasting and financial planning activities.
• Managing payroll, pension reporting, VAT returns and statutory submissions.
• Leading and developing the Finance team to deliver an efficient, high-quality service.
• Building strong relationships with budget holders to support financial decision-making.
• Providing financial guidance, analysis and training to stakeholders across the organisation.
• Managing annual audit activities and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
• Overseeing financial systems, controls and reporting processes.
• Reviewing and authorising purchase orders, payments and expenditure in line with budgets.
• Maintaining risk registers, fraud controls and finance policies.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, controls and reporting efficiency.
• Supporting wider organisational projects and strategic initiatives.

What You'll Bring

Essential:

• Experience in a finance management role with responsibility for reporting, forecasting and financial controls.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets and financial analysis.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Knowledge of payroll, VAT, audit and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and proficiency in financial systems and Excel.
• A proactive and collaborative approach

Desirable:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in public sector, grant-funded or economic development environments.
• Knowledge of financial risk management and fraud controls.
• Experience improving financial processes and systems.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

What You'll Bring

Essential:

• Experience in a finance management role with responsibility for reporting, forecasting and financial controls.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets and financial analysis.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Knowledge of payroll, VAT, audit and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and proficiency in financial systems and Excel.
• A proactive and collaborative approach

Desirable:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in public sector, grant-funded or economic development environments.
• Knowledge of financial risk management and fraud controls.
• Experience improving financial processes and systems.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.