Finance Manager

Barnsley Academy; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

On-site parking

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Staff training & development

Employee assistance programme (EAP)

Job summary

Barnsley Academy, part of United Learning, seeks an experienced Finance Manager to cover maternity leave across the Yorkshire Cluster. You will oversee financial systems, lead the finance team and ensure accurate reporting for Barnsley, Fir Vale, Sheffield Park and Sheffield Springs Academies.

The role demands a proactive, detail-focused finance professional with multi-site experience, strong communication and the ability to balance priorities in a dynamic education group.

Qualifications

• Proven financial management experience in a multi-site organisation or similar setting.
• Strong ability to prepare clear reports for varied audiences and senior management.
• Excellent leadership and people-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial systems and processes across the Yorkshire Cluster.
• Lead the Finance Team and coordinate with academy leadership.
• Deliver reliable financial information, forecasts and budget management.
• Contribute to policy and procedure reviews and development.

Skills

Financial management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Report writing

Policy development

Organisation

Education

CIMA/ACCA or equivalent

Tools

MS Excel

ERP system

Financial reporting tools

Job description

location_on Location Sheffield Park Academy

location_on Location Sheffield Park Academy

credit_card Salary Band 2 FTE of £27,348.00 per annum pro rata (actual of £23,598.17)

Barnsley Academy is part of United Learning, a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

Salary: Starting salary of £51,000 to £53,500 gross per annum dependent upon experience

Contract: Full-time, fixed-term to cover maternity leave

Start date: As soon as possible

We are seeking to appoint a highly skilled and experienced individual to manage Finance over the Yorkshire Cluster of United Learning academies.

The successful post-holder will undertake this role for the duration of a maternity leave cover arrangement. The anticipated duration of the appointment is 12 to 14 months, including handover periods.

The Yorkshire Cluster comprises four secondary academies based in Barnsley and Sheffield: Barnsley Academy, Fir Vale Academy, Sheffield Park Academy and Sheffield Springs Academy.

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a key leadership role within the Cluster, maintaining high standards of service delivery, overseeing financial systems and processes and leading the Finance Team.

This role requires a highly focused individual who is organised and passionate about making a difference to our academies and local communities. The successful candidate will be an efficient and proactive professional with exceptional attention to detail. This is a challenging and rewarding role offering the opportunity to make a significant impact across the Cluster.

We will offer you:

• Highly competitive pay above national average.
• 26 days annual leave plus 8 statutory bank holidays per annum.
• An additional day’s paid leave awarded per annum (a personal leave day).
• Excellent facilities and resources.
• Access to an outstanding professional development programme.
• A respectful working environment.
• Supportive, friendly colleagues who are committed to each other’s professional development.
• A chance to become part of United Learning, one of the largest groups of academies in the country.
• Opportunities to work collaboratively with colleagues in each academy across the Cluster and United Learning.
• Excellent employee benefits which include a highly sought-after pension scheme with high employer contributions.
• Access to training through the Apprenticeship Levy.
• Benefits platform.
• Free on-site parking.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• We encourage open and regular conversations about work-life balance.

We are looking for:

• An experienced line manager with excellent communication and team building skills.
• A reliable, highly motivated and self-driven individual.
• A finance professional with significant and demonstrable financial management experience.
• Experience of managing finance within a multi-site organisation or in a comparable environment.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to set expectations and balance competing priorities.
• Excellent report-writing skills and the ability to present information to a range of audiences.
• Ability to effectively contribute to the review and development of policies and procedures.
• You must have strong organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, high standards and take pride in your work.
• The ability to manage a varied and changing workload with autonomy, resilience and professionalism.
• A positive, proactive and professional approach at all times.

Please see the job description and person specification for further detail.

The closing date for this post is midnight on the 07 October 2026. Interviews will take place soon after.

United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employees will, in accordance with statutory guidance, be subject to a comprehensive checking process including references from current and previous employers, health, Right to Work in the UK, an Enhanced DBS check and a further check against the appropriate barred list.