At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage finances, analyse data, and produce reports for a prestigious school.
- Company: Brighton College, a top independent school known for academic excellence.
- Benefits: Comprehensive benefits including pension scheme, healthcare, travel discounts, and wellness classes.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive, inclusive work environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic community and make a real impact in education finance.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in financial reporting, strong analytical skills, and advanced Excel proficiency.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Benefits
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
Brighton College is one of the UK’s most prestigious and forward-thinking independent schools and has been recognised nationally as School of the Decade. Founded in 1845, the College has built an outstanding reputation for academic excellence, pastoral care, innovation and an unapologetically ambitious approach to education. The College educates pupils from ages 3 to 18 and operates as a large, dynamic community, combining day and boarding provision. It has consistently ranked at the top of national league tables and is widely regarded as a benchmark for best practice across the independent education sector.
About The Role
We are recruiting a dedicated Finance Manager to support the smooth operation of one of our school contracts. This is a full-time, permanent position (40 hours per week, Monday to Friday). 0830 - 17:00.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor original bid costs versus actual performance by site and service line, including analysis of core and reactive variations
- Analyse workbook submissions and ensure accuracy of financial data
- Produce timely and accurate reports for the client as required
- Manage and track change controls for service variations, identifying where ad-hoc services should be incorporated into core costs
- Ensure workbooks and associated invoices are raised promptly
- Maintain effective stock control processes
- Work collaboratively with Lodestone House and the client to ensure compliance with accounting standards
- Build and enhance monthly management information (MI) and improve reporting quality
- Provide financial insights to the client’s senior leadership team to support performance monitoring
- Carry out routine monthly data checks and analysis
- Drive continuous improvement in financial processes
Skills & Experience
- Experience in budgeting, financial reporting, and accounting systems
- Strong analytical and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail
- Advanced Excel and spreadsheet capability
- Ability to analyse, evaluate, and present financial information clearly
- Experience preparing financial statements, budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections
- Confident producing and presenting reports to stakeholders
- Commercial finance experience with a track record of adding value and improving results
- Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively
- Experience working collaboratively with internal teams and building strong client relationships
- Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work under pressure to meet deadlines
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Technical & Industry Experience
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in financial reporting, revenue control, or similar roles
- Experience in foodservice or retail environments
- Familiarity with POS, cash, and card reporting
- Good working knowledge of SAP (desirable)
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
Qualifications
- Degree in Accounting (preferred) or equivalent professional experience
Additional Requirements
- Experience working in multi-site or multi-contract environments (desirable)
- Team management experience (desirable)
- High standards of integrity and ethical behaviour
- Flexibility to travel to operational sites
- IT literate
About Us
As part of Compass you’ll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections across around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Finance Manager - Brighton College employer: Lodestone House
Brighton College, a prestigious independent school, offers an exceptional work environment for the Finance Manager role, characterised by a strong commitment to employee growth through comprehensive training programmes and career pathways. With a focus on well-being, employees enjoy a generous benefits package that includes healthcare access, travel discounts, and wellness classes, all within a dynamic community that values diversity and fosters collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager - Brighton College
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who might have insights into Brighton College or similar organisations. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Brighton College prides itself on academic excellence and innovation, so think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial reporting skills! Be ready to discuss your analytical abilities and how you've added value in previous roles. Use real examples to demonstrate your expertise in budgeting and forecasting – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our hiring process.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager - Brighton College
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your budgeting, financial reporting, and analytical skills that match what we're looking for. We want to see how your experience aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to Brighton College. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to add value. Whether it's improving financial processes or producing insightful reports, we love to see results!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lodestone House
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your strong analytical skills. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Prepare examples of budgeting and forecasting that showcase your expertise.
✨Master Excel
Since advanced Excel skills are crucial for this role, make sure you're comfortable with functions, pivot tables, and data analysis tools. Consider doing a quick refresher course or practice with sample datasets to show off your proficiency during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll be presenting financial insights to senior leadership, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Think of scenarios where you've successfully communicated financial information to non-financial stakeholders and be ready to share those stories.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Brighton College values innovation and collaboration. Research their approach to education and think about how your values align with theirs. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their dynamic community and support their mission in your role as Finance Manager.
