Finance Manager

Michael Page - Client Branded; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An international boarding school in Wales seeks a Finance Manager to oversee financial operations, manage budgeting, and drive improvements. The ideal candidate has a professional accounting qualification and experience in financial management. This role offers a competitive salary of £50,000 per annum, hybrid working, and extensive benefits including 25 days of annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension Scheme

Annual leave

Hybrid working

Access to healthcare benefits

Access to gym and swimming pool

Qualifications

• Experience in financial management, ideally in the not-for-profit sector.
• Excellent systems and controls improvement skills.
• Strong analytical skills in financial planning and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the College's financial operations.
• Drive improvements in the Finance function.
• Lead meetings on finance reporting.
• Prepare annual budgets and quarterly re-forecasts.

Skills

Financial management

Budget preparation

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)

Job description

About Our Client

UWC Atlantic is a world-renowned international boarding school based in the 12th-century St Donat's Castle, on a 122-acre campus on the South Wales coast. Students aged 16-19 from over 90 countries come for two years to live, learn and work together in a dynamic learning landscape. As the founding college of the United World Colleges (UWC) global education movement, it was established in 1962 and its mission is to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. UWC empowers bridge‑builders, systems changers and compassionate global citizens through the delivery of a pioneering and distinctive IB educational model, culminating in a transformative education that positions the college as a pioneer within the education world.

Job Description

Come and join UWC Atlantic College as their next Finance Manager.

• Reporting to the Finance Director, the Finance Manager plays a pivotal role in overseeing the College's financial operations.
• This key leadership position provides the opportunity to lead and manage the end‑to‑end financial function, requiring strong relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills, fostering effective partnerships across the College and with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the production and review of the Management Accounts for the College.
• Drive improvements across the Finance function through developments of processes, controls and systems, and lead on innovation and the delivery of digital transformation initiatives.
• Provide monthly financial analysis in relation to admissions, fundraising and investments.
• Lead monthly meetings with budget holders and heads of departments on finance reporting.
• Support the preparation of the annual budget and quarterly re‑forecasting processes.
• Complete the monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Oversee responsibilities related to fee income, including invoicing, credit control, debt collection and stakeholder relationship management.
• Report on capital investments and capital expenditure.
• Support the project management of major capital projects.
• Act as a lead on the preparation and delivery of the annual external audit.
• Prepare draft statutory accounts.

The Successful Applicant

• A professional accounting qualification in ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent.
• Experience in financial management, ideally within the not‑for‑profit sector/charity sectors; however all sectors will be considered.
• Be happy to "roll up your sleeves" and get stuck in.
• Excellent systems, controls and process improvement skills.
• Proven experience in budget preparation, management and reporting to ensure effective financial oversight.
• A meticulous approach to detail and accuracy in all financial matters.
• Strong analytical skills with proven experience in financial planning, reporting and interpreting complex financial data to support effective decision‑making.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Commitment to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Commitment to the safeguarding of children and young adults.

What's on Offer

• A competitive salary of £50,000 per annum.
• Full time, 35 hours per week.
• Auto enrolment into a contributory Pension Scheme.
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus public holidays and UWC Atlantic Winter break (normally 2 weeks).
• One complimentary meal provided during working hours whilst on site.
• Hybrid working: 4 days on site per week.
• Access to Equipsme healthcare benefit.
• Death in service benefit.
• Access to learning and development opportunities.
• Access to gym and swimming pool.

Contact
Ross Brown
Quote job ref
JN-092025-6844672Z

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third‑party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.