Finance Manager

IPPR; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension scheme

Annual cost-of-living salary review

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

IPPR is seeking a capable finance professional to lead day-to-day finance operations, integrating financial management, reporting and analysis with planning and decision-making. You will oversee transactions, reconciliations, reporting and controls while supporting budgeting and forecasting across IPPR.

Working with the Director of Finance and Operations, you will expand your experience in financial management and organisational decision-making, with opportunities to grow into a more senior role.

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification or final stages.
• Relevant degree in finance or accounting (minimum 2:1).
• Strong Finance processes, controls and Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial transactions, reconciliations, reporting and controls.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning across IPPR.
• Provide practical financial advice and explain budgets to colleagues.
• Identify more efficient ways of working and improve systems.

Skills

Professional accounting qualification

Finance analysis

Excel proficiency

Independent problem solving

Communication skills

Ambition and adaptability

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent

Finance or accounting degree (min 2:1)

Tools

Excel

Job description

We are looking for a capable, rigorous and ambitious finance professional to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of IPPR’s finance operations – and to grow with us. This is a hands‑on role combining financial management, reporting and analysis with opportunities to contribute to wider organisational planning and decision‑making. We want someone who thinks independently, enjoys solving problems and is curious about how better systems, technology and fresh ideas can make our finance function more effective.

About the role

You will oversee financial transactions, reconciliations, reporting and controls, while supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial planning across IPPR.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues to help them understand their budgets, provide practical financial advice and ensure our financial processes run smoothly. You will also have the opportunity to improve our systems, challenge existing approaches and identify more efficient ways of working.

About you

You may not yet have held a Finance Manager title or encountered every situation this role will involve. What matters most is that you have strong financial foundations, are ambitious to develop and have the confidence to think independently, exercise sound judgement and take ownership of your work, while knowing when to seek advice or involve others.

You will be intellectually curious, quick to learn and take pride in accuracy and getting things right. You will also be someone who builds positive working relationships and enjoys collaborating with colleagues across the organisation.

Working closely with our Director of Finance and Operations, you will have opportunities to broaden your experience of financial management, planning and organisational decision-making, helping you develop towards a more senior finance role.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who has:

• a professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent), either fully completed or in its final stages; or a relevant degree in finance or accounting (minimum 2:1 classification);
• practical finance experience, a sound understanding of financial processes and controls, and excellent Excel skills;
• the ability to think independently, solve problems and use initiative, common sense and sound judgement;
• an analytical and thorough approach, with the ability to learn quickly and see the bigger financial picture without losing sight of the detail;
• strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly, collaborate with colleagues and find practical solutions; and
• ambition, adaptability and a willingness to learn new systems, develop professionally and take on greater responsibility.

Our recruitment process will assess how you think and solve problems, as well as your experience. Shortlisted candidates will complete a practical finance and Excel exercise designed to assess analytical thinking, accuracy and judgement.

Why join us?

At IPPR, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive organisation working to develop progressive ideas that make a difference.

We offer generous annual leave, a pension scheme and an annual cost‑of‑living salary review.

Our standard contractual working week is 37.5 hours, but we are currently trialling a 35‑hour week until March 2027, with no reduction in pay or annual leave and an earlier finish on Fridays.

The role is based in our London office in Westminster. We value the benefits of in‑person collaboration and ask colleagues to spend at least 40 per cent of their working hours in the office. We also recognise that different working patterns suit different people and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

IPPR is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, and from applicants with a range of professional and lived experiences. As an organisation engaging in critical debate about a wide range of progressive policy issues, we value the creativity and range of perspectives that a diverse team can provide.

Closing date for applications: 23:30, 8 November 2026

Interviews: 18 or 19 November 2026 at our London office.

Status Permanent contract, full-time

Start date ASAP

Salary £44,156 - £57,256 per annum, depending on experience, plus benefits

Interview dates Interviews: 18 and 19 November 2026, at our London office