Finance Manager (Financial Control) in Reading

Marble Mayne Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with Reading Students' Union (Reading SU) to recruit a new Director of Finance. Reading SU is an independent, student-led charity dedicated to improving the lives of over 19,000 students at the University of Reading. With annual income exceeding £5 million, the organisation combines its charitable activities with a diverse range of commercial operations, including hospitality, catering, events and an onsite nursery.

Following a significant period of change, Reading SU has a refreshed Senior Leadership Team and an ambitious strategy focused on long-term sustainability, innovation and delivering the best possible student experience. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will lead the Union's financial strategy, governance and financial operations, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable and well-positioned for the future.

You will oversee the finance function, providing high-quality financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and analysis, while maintaining robust financial controls and ensuring compliance with charity accounting requirements. Importantly, this is much more than a traditional finance leadership role. Reading SU is looking for someone who combines strong technical financial expertise with commercial awareness, strategic thinking and an excellent understanding of data and business analytics.

You will help colleagues understand financial performance, identify opportunities and make informed decisions across both charitable and commercial operations. A key priority will be the ongoing modernisation of financial systems, reporting and processes, making better use of technology and data to improve efficiency and provide meaningful financial insight.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will also contribute to wider organisational strategy, investment decisions and long-term financial planning. We are looking for a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with strong financial management experience and the confidence to operate at a senior strategic level.

You will bring excellent technical charity finance knowledge, including the Charities SORP, restricted funds, statutory reporting, audit, reserves and financial governance, alongside strong management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow management skills. Commercial awareness and the ability to interpret financial and operational data will be essential, as will an interest in modernising finance systems and improving processes.

You will be an approachable, collaborative leader who can develop a finance team, build effective relationships across the organisation and communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.

Reading SU offers an attractive benefits package, including 35 days' annual leave, an additional birthday day off, Christmas closure (included within the 35 days), enhanced parental leave, paid volunteering leave, discounted campus fitness facilities and an onsite nursery.