Finance Manager

Salford Council; Salford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational authority is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to manage the school budget and ensure financial sustainability. Ideal candidates will have a strong finance background, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders. This position offers the opportunity to work in a supportive environment and contribute to the school's vision and goals. The role starts in January 2026 or sooner, and visits to the school are encouraged.

Benefits

High-quality professional development

Supportive leadership team

Positive working relationships with staff

Qualifications

• Proven experience of managing budgets in a finance role.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage the school budget effectively for optimal student offerings.
• Ensure financial sustainability through proper procurement.
• Collaborate on maintaining and developing school facilities.
• Oversee Health & Safety requirements across the school.
• Work with consultants on facility improvement projects.

Skills

Strong finance background

Excellent organizational skills

Relationship management

Understanding of confidentiality

Proactive and approachable manner

Job description

Light Oaks Junior School is a warm, welcoming, inclusive and friendly junior school with 360 pupils on roll and a strong, committed staff team.

Due to the retirement of our current post holder, the Governors are seeking to appoint a highly skilled, motivated and professional Finance Manager to join us in January 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced school finance professional, or someone with strong transferable skills and a passion for working in a varied and rewarding environment, to become part of our team. The finance manager will manage a large school budget, ensure best value in procurement and contracts. In addition, they have responsibility for the maintenance of the building and health and safety across the school.

We are looking for someone with :

• A strong finance background and proven experience of managing budgets
• Excellent organisational skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to prioritise and adapt in a dynamic environment
• The ability to manage and foster positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• A clear understanding of confidentiality and data protection
• A proactive, forward-thinking and approachable manner
• A desire to work closely with senior leaders to support our vision and ethos

Key areas of Responsibility include :

• Managing the school budget, both short term and longer term to ensure the school can provide the best possible offer for our pupils
• Ensuring financial sustainability, including managing procurement, contracts, and external funding such as grants and bids
• Working closely with senior leaders, the office manager and the Site Manager to maintain and develop school facilities
• Managing school Health & Safety requirements and ensuring effective risk management across the school
• Collaborating with building consultants on improvement projects

We Offer :

• Friendly, enthusiastic and respectful children
• A highly supportive Leadership Team and dedicated staff who strongly believe in teamwork and building positive relationships across the school
• Supportive parents and Governors
• A strong commitment to high-quality professional development
• A warm, friendly and welcoming school family, where everyone is valued

We would welcome visits to our school to see us in action. Please contact our office manager, Bonnie Lever on 0161 921 1690, or email [e-mail] to arrange an appointment.

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. This post is subject to a fully enhanced DBS check.

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants