Finance Manager

Sutton Valence School; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Maidstone is seeking a highly skilled Finance Manager to oversee daily financial operations. The successful candidate will manage a small team, ensure robust financial controls, and contribute to strategic planning. This role requires a qualified accountant with excellent leadership and communication skills, ideally with experience in the education or charity sector. Attractive benefits include healthcare membership, fitness facilities, and five weeks of annual leave.

Benefits

Benenden healthcare membership

Fitness facilities

Fee remission

Free school meal

Free parking

EV scheme

Five weeks’ annual leave plus public holidays

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial management within the education or charity sector.
• Strong leadership capabilities to manage a small team.
• Ability to ensure robust financial controls and accurate reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day financial operations of the School.
• Oversee a small finance team and ensure compliance.
• Contribute to strategic financial planning and sustainability of the School.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Finance Manager to lead the day-to-day financial operations of our School and its associated entities.

Reporting directly to the Bursar, you will manage a small team and oversee the daily operations of the School and subsidiaries, including ensuring robust financial controls and accurate reporting and contributing to strategic financial planning.

This role is pivotal in supporting the School’s long-term sustainability and compliance and will suit a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills – ideally with experience in the education or charity sector.

About us

Sutton Valence School is a leading co-educational boarding and day school educating more than 886 pupils aged 2–18 years. Set in the heart of Kent, we boast beautiful surroundings that have been inspiring pupils since 1576. We enjoy an excellent reputation for providing a truly holistic education for our pupils, reflecting our Christian ethos.

Benefits

• Benenden healthcare membership
• Fitness facilities
• Fee remission
• Free school meal
• Free parking
• EV scheme
• Five weeks’ annual leave plus public holidays
• And more!

Closing date: 2nd February 2026.

We welcome early applications, and we may interview candidates and appoint before the closing date.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and a declaration of medical fitness. It is an offence to apply for this role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of the School’s Child Protection policy may be found on the School’s website, which all applicants are expected to read prior to interview.

Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer.