Finance Manager

Careers Wales; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Careers Wales seeks a Finance Manager to lead financial operations and team management at various sites across Wales. This pivotal role demands strong planning skills and knowledge of financial compliance, ensuring the organization's financial health while supporting innovative career guidance services. The successful candidate will oversee budgeting, payroll, and strategic financial planning in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Generous holiday leave (31 days + Bank Holidays)

Flexible working options (4 days from home)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Collaborative company culture

Qualifications

• Proven ability in budgeting and forecasting.
• Hands-on experience managing payroll operations.
• Strong people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage annual financial planning and payroll cycle.
• Oversee budgeting and compliance with regulations.
• Streamline payroll processes, including pension schemes.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial Reporting

Payroll Management

Leadership

Analytical Thinking

Communication

Digital Fluency

Education

Professional Qualification in Finance (CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA, ACA)

Job description

• Drive financial excellence at the heart of a national organisation
• Step into a pivotal leadership role that will shape the future of Career Wales

About Our Client

Careers Wales is a publicly funded organisation, wholly owned by the Welsh Government, with a mission to empower individuals of all ages to make informed career choices. With a £30 million annual budget and around 600 staff, we deliver statutory career guidance in schools, support adults facing redundancy or career change, and connect employers with future talent. Our services extend to prisons, probation services, and mid-career changers, ensuring no one is left behind. Despite financial pressures and system inefficiencies, we remain committed to innovation, inclusivity, and impact. Our agile working policy supports flexibility, while our passionate teams drive forward our mission to build a brighter future for Wales.

Careers Wales has 30 sites across Wales with a Head Office based in Cardiff city centre.

Job Description

Due to retirement, the role of Finance Manager is pivotal in the success of Careers Wales.

Based out of any one of our centres across Wales, as the Finance Manager, you'll manage a small but vital team responsible for delivering accurate, timely financial and payroll services. You'll oversee budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, while ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory standards. You'll also streamline payroll processes-including the complex administration of eight local government pension schemes-and support the Head of Finance in strategic planning. This is a hands-on leadership role where your analytical skills, people management, and digital fluency will directly influence the organisation's financial health and employee experience.The role will include;

Assist in managing the annual financial planning and payroll cycle through ensuring the company's financial performance is monitored, forecasted, evaluated and reported, and payroll and pensions work is completed in a timely manner.
Co-ordinate, and evaluate company financial systems and controls, including those relating to payroll and pensions.
Assist in preparing and monitoring company budgets
Support the development and management of debtors and non-core projects
Manage resources, including financial, physical, digital and people efficiently and effectively in accordance with the Company's good governance principles.

The Successful Applicant

A successful Finance Manager should have:

• Professional Qualification in Finance with CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA or ACA
• Financial Management Expertise - Proven ability in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and analysis within a complex organisation.
• Payroll & Pensions Knowledge - Hands-on experience managing payroll operations, ideally with exposure to local government pension schemes.
• Leadership & Team Management - Strong people management skills with the ability to empower, support, and lead a high-performing team.
• Regulatory & Statutory Compliance - In-depth understanding of financial regulations, payroll legislation, and public sector governance.
• Digital Fluency - Confident in using financial systems and digital tools to streamline processes and enhance reporting accuracy.
• Analytical Thinking - Sharp problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make sound recommendations.
• Communication & Influence - Skilled at building relationships and communicating effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Commitment to Inclusion - Awareness of Welsh Language Standards and equalities legislation, with a proactive approach to inclusive practice.

What's on Offer

• A competitive salary paying up to £45863 per annum.
• Generous holiday leave to support work-life balance. 31 days + Bank Holidays
• A permanent role within the Public Sector.
• Flexible working with potential for 4 days working from home per week
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• A supportive company culture that values collaboration.
• This role can be based at any of the Careers Wales sites cross Wales, however may need some travel to the Cardiff head office if required

Contact

Ross Brown
Quote job ref
JN-052025-6750673Z

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