Finance Manager

Outwood Grange Academies Trust; Newton Hill; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is seeking a Finance Manager to lead financial control for two secondary academies with potential oversight of up to five as the region expands. Based across Outwood Academy Haydock and Outwood Academy Hindley, you will work with Principals and Trust Directors to align school-level operations with trust-wide strategy and ensure financial sustainability.

You will produce forecasts, consolidate group reporting, manage balance sheet reconciliations, and prepare

Qualifications

• Experience in financial control and management would be advantageous.
• Strong ability to produce forecasts and manage reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial control and management of two secondary academies with potential for up to five as the region expands.
• Produce regular forecasts, support consolidated group financial reporting, and create monthly financial management reports.
• Ensure robust internal controls and prepare information for statutory returns (e.g., VAT).

Education

CIMA or ACCA qualification

Job description

Role:Finance Manager

Academy:Outwood Academy Haydock & Outwood Academy Hindley

Start Date:October Onwards

Salary:£50,531 - £53,881

Working Pattern:37 Hours Per Week, Monday to Friday, Full Year

Are you an experienced, forward-thinking finance professional ready to lead as the key finance business partner across our regional hubs? Join Outwood Grange Academies Trust as a Finance Manager based across Outwood Academy Haydock and Outwood Academy Hindley.

In this dynamic role, you will take ownership of the financial control and management of 2 Secondary academies initially, with scope to scale oversight up to 5 academies as the region expands. You will work closely with Principals, Executive Leadership, and Trust Directors to align school-level operational goals with trust-wide strategic growth, ensuring financial sustainability, compliance, and maximum value for public funding.

If you have any questions, please contact Milly Smith, HR Assistant at [e-mail] Outwood Grange Academies Trust & Our Schools

At Outwood Grange Academies Trust, we place "Students First: Raising Standards and Transforming Lives" at the heart of everything we do. As one of the country's leading multi-academy trusts, OGAT has a proven track record of rapidly transforming schools, delivering outstanding academic outcomes, and providing high-quality support structures that allow educators and operational staff to thrive.

• Outwood Academy Haydock:Serving the local St Helens community, Haydock joined the Trust with a shared commitment to high expectations, an inclusive culture, and providing every student with a well-rounded, ambitious curriculum supported by excellent resources.

• Outwood Academy Hindley:Located in the borough of Wigan, Hindley joined the Outwood family to build a high-performing learning environment where academic success, strong pastoral care, and community pride go hand-in-hand.

Together, both academies represent a collaborative, forward-thinking cluster in the North West where financial expertise helps to power student achievement and institutional growth.

Responsibilities

The Finance Manager is responsible for leading the financial control and management of up to 5 Secondary academies and driving best practice across the Trust.Duties include leading the timely and accurate production of regular forecasts, supporting consolidated group financial reporting, and producing monthly financial management reports.

The post holder ensures appropriate systems and internal controls are in place to mitigate against risks such as fraud. The manager also leads the development of medium and long-term financial plans, manages monthly balance sheet reconciliations, and provides information for statutory returns (e.g., VAT)

Qualifications

A formal accountancy qualification such as CIMA or ACCA would be a significant advantage, but candidates who can demonstrate equivalent financial knowledge and acumen gained by essential experience will also be considered.

The role will require this level of expertise from the outset and will require the successful applicant to quickly assimilate sector and organisation specific regulations.