Finance Systems Administrator

Co-op Academies Trust; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government / NJC pay scale 12–19

Hybrid working in Manchester central

Job summary

Co-op Academies Trust is seeking a proactive Systems Administrator (Finance Systems) to support our central finance team in Manchester. You will oversee user administration, manage workflows, and deliver hands-on training across Civica Financials and Google Workspace.

Reporting to the Financial Systems and Planning Manager, you will onboard schools and ensure secure, efficient platforms across all academies, while maintaining strong user support and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above; AAT qualification desirable.
• Experience administering finance, accounting, procurement, or payroll systems such as Civica Financials.
• Confident user of Google Workspace and business software tools.
• Strong communication skills with ability to create training materials.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day user administration and manage system workflows.
• Troubleshoot technical queries and deliver hands-on user training.
• Onboard new schools and test system updates to ensure seamless operations.

Skills

GCSEs English & Maths

AAT qualification

Finance system administration

Google Workspace proficiency

User training & support

Organisational & multi-tasking

Education

GCSEs in English & Maths

AAT qualification or working towards

Tools

Civica Financials

Google Workspace

Job description

Are you a proactive, tech-savvy administrator looking to make a meaningful impact within a values-driven education trust?

At Co-op Academies Trust, we believe that smooth, efficient finance systems are essential to supporting our schools and enabling our colleagues to deliver the best outcomes for pupils. As our Systems Administrator (Finance Systems), you will play a vital role at the heart of our central finance team.

Reporting directly to the Financial Systems and Planning Manager, you will oversee day-to-day user administration, manage system workflows, troubleshoot technical queries, and deliver hands-on user training. From onboarding new schools to testing system updates, you will ensure our platforms run seamlessly and securely across all our academies.

In this role, you will work closely with everyday systems, including Civica Financial systems and Google Workspace, maintaining user permissions, streamlining processes, and ensuring continuous improvement across the Trust.

Who/What We Are Looking For

We are looking for an approachable, organised, and solution-focused professional who enjoys solving problems and supporting others. Whether you come from a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) environment or a broader business setting, your attention to detail and strong IT skills will be key.

Key Requirements & Skills

• Education & Qualifications: GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above. An AAT qualification (or working towards it) or equivalent experience is highly desirable.
• System Expertise: Strong experience administering systems—ideally finance, accounting, procurement, or payroll systems (such as Civica Financials).
• Digital Proficiency: Confident user of Google Workspace and business software tools.
• User Support & Training: Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical processes clearly and build engaging training guides/sessions for users at all confidence levels.
• Work Management: Exceptional organisational skills with a knack for prioritising queries, tracking support mailbox tickets, and multi-tasking effectively.
• Personal Attributes: A collaborative, flexible team player who demonstrates initiative, resilience, and a commitment to co-operative values.

(Experience in a Multi-Academy Trust, onboarding new schools, or assisting with finance system implementations is desirable, but not essential!)

What We Offer

At Co-op Academies Trust, we care deeply about our people. Joining us means becoming part of a supportive, values-led organisation that prioritises your development, well-being, and work-life balance.

• Competitive Pay: Local Government / NJC Scale Column Point 12–19.
• Flexible & Hybrid Working: Enjoy a healthy balance with a mixture of remote working and time spent in our modern central hub at 1 Angel Square, Manchester.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for ongoing training, career progression, and professional development as our Trust continues to grow.
• Generous Pension Scheme: Access to a secure and competitive local government pension scheme.
• Co-op Values & Community: A supportive, inclusive working environment where everyone is valued, respected, and encouraged to embody the Ways of Being Co-op.