Finance Manager

University of Portsmouth Students' Union; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Finance Manager responsible for the operational leadership of the Finance function. The role involves managing a team, overseeing month and year-end processes, and working with payroll and financial partners. Ideal candidates should be organized, detail-oriented, and possess strong interpersonal skills. The institution values diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices, providing a supportive workplace with numerous benefits, including 38 days of holiday and enhanced sick pay.

Benefits

Strong team mentality

Regular training opportunities

38 days holiday

Flexible working

Enhanced sick pay

Discounted gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience producing management accounts (desirable but not essential).
• Experience delivering payroll (desirable but not essential).
• Experience working with a cloud-based accounting system (desirable but not essential).

Responsibilities

• Responsible for operational leadership of the Finance function.
• Manage a team of two coordinators.
• Facilitate and develop the Union’s Finance activity.
• Deliver month/year-end processes including management accounts.
• Manage bank reconciliations and sales & purchase ledger.
• Oversee the Union’s payroll processes.

Skills

Excellent attention to detail

Organised approach to work

Excellent interpersonal skills

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Flexible attitude

Excellent IT and Microsoft skills

Experience leading and managing teams

Experience overseeing financial processes

Job description

The Post

The Finance Manager is responsible for the operational leadership of the Finance function managing a team of two coordinators and facilitating and developing the Union’s Finance activity. Key responsibilities include the delivery of month/year end processes including production of management accounts, review, development and implementation of financial processes, management of bank reconciliations and sales & purchase ledger. The postholder will also be responsible for overseeing the Union’s payroll processes and working with external partners such as financial and payroll experts.

The Person

We are looking to recruit a highly organised and motivated individual with the following skillset:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Organised approach to work, with the ability to prioritise competing priorities
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work well with others
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to be flexible
• Excellent IT and Microsoft skills, in particular with Excel
• Experience leading and managing teams
• Experience overseeing and delivering key financial processes
• Experience producing management accounts (desirable but not essential)
• Experience delivering payroll (desirable but not essential)li>
• Experience working with a cloud based accounting system (desirable but not essential)

What we offer

• Strong team mentality, supportive and sociable workplace
• Regular training opportunities and team development days
• 38 days holiday (30 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays) and additional Christmas leave (University shutdown)
• Flexible working (e.g. flexitime, career break, paid time off for volunteering)
• 35 hour week
• Enhanced sick pay, maternity, paternity or adoption leave
• Access to University staff benefits: discounted gym membership, free library membership, bike safe
• Employee Assistance Programme

The Organisation

The University of Portsmouth Students’ Union (The Union or UPSU for short) is a forward thinking, friendly organisation with a vision of “delivering a positive impact with every Portsmouth student”. As a charity led by its values and guided by its members, we offer a wide range of services and activities to support and enrich the lives of our students. UPSU employs approximately 30 career staff, a further 40 student staff and we work with over 1000 registered student volunteers and over 100 student groups.

Further Information

For more information on this opportunity and how to apply, please visit www.upsu.net/careers. For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Cherelyn Cuthbert, Director of Central Services, on [e-mail] or 02392 843102.

Closing date for applications:Midday, 12th January 2026
Interviews will be held on date:22nd January 2026

We kindly ask that candidates do not send CVs or cover letters as these will not be considered. You can find an application form on our website.

Anonymous shortlisting will be carried out for this role to ensure a fair and consistent approach to recruitment. We will not disclose any personal details to the shortlisting panel. Any documents or links with identifying information will not be used during shortlisting, but can be submitted if you are selected for an interview.

We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community and we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment which supports everyone from recruitment through to appointment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all talented people and as part of this commitment, we are working to improve the diversity of our workforce to ensure that it is as relevant and representative of our student community as possible and are actively encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.

The Union is a MINDFUL EMPLOYER® and we are committed to creating a supportive and open culture and actively support the mental wellbeing of all staff.

Due to the high number of applicants, if you have not heard from UPSU by the interview date you should assume you have been unsuccessful in your application.