Senior Trust Finance Manager

Government jobs, apprenticeship; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 47,181 - 50,269; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Trust central finance team is seeking an experienced Senior Finance Manager to join in a pivotal leadership role at a key point in our journey.

As the Trust grows, you will shape, embed outstanding financial practice across our schools, supporting strategic decision‑making and robust financial management. Flexible working days, hours and location are available in line with Trust needs.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in finance roles, ideally within an academy trust, school, public sector or similar environment.
• Confidence in producing accurate management accounts, budgets, forecasts and financial analysis.
• Strong knowledge of financial controls, reconciliations, payroll and VAT processes.
• Experience in line management or supporting and developing others.
• Highly proficient in Excel and finance systems, with strong analytical capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance operations across all academies, ensuring high‑quality management accounts, reporting and compliance.
• Take ownership of key areas such as management accounts, financial controls, and finance processes.
• Provide clear financial insight and professional challenge to support school leaders.
• Line‑manage finance staff and support their development.
• Partner with Principals, School Business Managers and senior leaders to strengthen financial understanding.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives, continuous improvement, audit and compliance, and system development.

Skills

Management accounting

Financial analysis

Excel

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership / line management

Tools

Finance systems

Job description

Job details

Job role: Administration, HR, data and finance.

Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored.

Working pattern: Part time (4 days per week – 29 hours).

Contract type: Fixed term (1‑year, subject to Trust growth).

Full time equivalent salary: £47,181.00 – £50,269.00 annually (FTE).

Senior Trust Finance Manager job summary

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Trust Senior Finance Manager to join the Trust central finance team in a key leadership role at a pivotal point in our journey.

As the Trust grows, you will play a critical role in shaping, strengthening and embedding outstanding financial practice across our schools, acting as a senior leader within the finance function, supporting strategic decision‑making and ensuring robust financial management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead finance operations across all academies, ensuring high‑quality management accounts, reporting and compliance.
• Take ownership of key areas such as management accounts, financial controls, and finance processes.
• Provide clear financial insight and professional challenge to support school leaders.
• Line‑manage finance staff and support their development.
• Partner with Principals, School Business Managers and senior leaders to strengthen financial understanding.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives, continuous improvement, audit and compliance, and system development.

Flexible working days, hours and location are available in line with Trust needs.

Ideal candidate profile

• Significant experience in finance roles, ideally within an academy trust, school, public sector or similar environment.
• Confidence in producing accurate management accounts, budgets, forecasts and financial analysis.
• Strong knowledge of financial controls, reconciliations, payroll and VAT processes.
• Experience in line management or supporting and developing others.
• Highly proficient in Excel and finance systems, with strong analytical capability.
• Excellent communication skills, able to present financial information clearly and influence stakeholders.
• Proactive, organised and solutions‑focused, balancing strategic thinking and operational delivery.
• Collaborative and teamwork‑oriented, yet able to work independently and take ownership.
• Committed to the Trust’s values; understands that strong financial practice enables the best possible outcomes for children, staff and communities.

Benefits

• A senior role in an ambitious, values‑driven Trust at a period of development.
• Opportunity to shape and influence finance at a strategic level across a growing organisation.
• Supportive colleagues and professional development tailored to your ambitions and expertise.
• Flexible working arrangements and commitment to wellbeing and work‑life balance.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous holiday entitlement and the Trust’s benefits package.
• A motivated and dedicated team and Board committed to excellence and community service.

Safeguarding commitment

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced DBS checks and other appropriate pre‑employment checks, including satisfactory references. In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, an online search will be undertaken for shortlisted candidates as part of the Trust’s due diligence.

The Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Recruitment process

Applications are received through the Trust’s application portal. CVs will not be accepted for this position. If selected, the candidate will undergo full DBS checks and must be eligible to work in the UK.