Finance Manager

Catholic Recruitment; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bespoke CPD programme

Career development

Supportive team

Collaborative environment

Job summary

St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School & Sixth-Form College in West Yorkshire is seeking a Finance & Operations Lead to provide comprehensive financial and operational support to staff and pupils.

You will manage the school’s budgets, lead forecasting, ensure statutory compliance, and deputise for the Business Operations Manager while supporting HR duties and school operations to sustain financial health and high-quality education.

Qualifications

• Experience budgeting for an educational institution or public sector
• Strong numerical and analytical skills
• Ability to interpret financial regulations and reporting standards

Responsibilities

• Oversee the school budgets, monitoring spend and reporting
• Provide strategic and operational financial leadership
• Coordinate forecasting and financial reporting to Headteacher and Governors
• Support HR duties such as training, performance and absence management
• Lost day-to-day oversight of operational staff in partnership with the Business Operations Manager

Skills

Budget management

Financial reporting

Forecasting

HR administration

Job description

This is an opportunity to join us in making a significant difference to the students at St Wilfrid’s.

The post holder will provide comprehensive financial and operational support to staff and students across the school, reporting directly to the Business Operations Manager.

They will be responsible for the management, monitoring and control of the school’s budgets, ensuring that financial resources are planned, allocated and reported effectively to support the delivery of high-quality secondary education. The role provides both strategic and operational financial leadership, working closely with the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Governors/Trustees to deliver accurate financial reporting, robust forecasting and full compliance with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.

In addition, the post holder will work closely with the Business Operations Manager and deputise in their absence, supporting the effective oversight of key school operations. This includes the day-to‑day management of operational staff and associated HR responsibilities, such as training and development, performance and capability management, conduct and disciplinary matters, and absence management.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the school’s financial sustainability and operational effectiveness, contributing to a positive learning environment and supporting the achievement of the school’s strategic objectives.

St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School & Sixth-Form College is a mixed voluntary Academy for 11–18-year-olds, based in North Featherstone in West Yorkshire. There are currently over 1,400 students in attendance. The school opened in 1963 and has a proud history. In March 2026 under the new OFSTED Inspection Report Card System, the school received one ‘strong standard’ and six ‘expected standard’ grades; we were also inspected by the Catholic Inspection Service (Sec 48) in April 2024, with 7 out of 9 areas graded Outstanding.

We are proudly part of the Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust which comprises of three Secondary Schools and thirteen Primary Schools. We are a Catholic School that extols the teachings of Jesus Christ and the values of servant leadership in everything we do.

Weekly hours: 37 hours per week.

We can offer:

• A bespoke CPD programme based on career stage
• Career development
• A School that you will be proud to join
• Colleagues who work selflessly for students and each other
• Motivated and hard-working students
• A School which is ambitious and aspirational for all
• Opportunities for Secondary collaboration within both the Trust and the Diocese

What we’re looking for:

• Has experience in relevant job area preferably within the education sector
• Is organised, proactive, and detail‑oriented
• Communicates clearly and confidently
• Thrives in a fast‑paced environment
• Has a positive, can‑do attitude

Closing date: 9am on Monday, 23rd November 2026.

All of our staff uphold the Core Values and Catholic Ethos of the School.

All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS clearance in line with our Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policy.