Finance Manager

Job Description

Role: Finance Manager

Academy: Outwood Academy Haydock & Outwood Academy Hindley

Start Date: October Onwards

Salary: £50,531 - £53,881

Working Pattern: 37 Hours Per Week, Monday to Friday, Full Year

Are you an experienced, forward-thinking finance professional ready to lead as the key finance business partner across our regional hubs? Join Outwood Grange Academies Trust as a Finance Manager based across Outwood Academy Haydock and Outwood Academy Hindley.

In this dynamic role, you will take ownership of the financial control and management of 2 Secondary academies initially, with scope to scale oversight up to 5 academies as the region expands. You will work closely with Principals, Executive Leadership, and Trust Directors to align school-level operational goals with trust-wide strategic growth, ensuring financial sustainability, compliance, and maximum value for public funding.

If you have any questions, please contact Milly Smith, HR Assistant at m.smith@outwood.com.

About Outwood Grange Academies Trust & Our Schools

At Outwood Grange Academies Trust, we place "Students First: Raising Standards and Transforming Lives" at the heart of everything we do. As one of the country's leading multi‑academy trusts, OGAT has a proven track record of rapidly transforming schools, delivering outstanding academic outcomes, and providing high-quality support structures that allow educators and operational staff to thrive.

• Outwood Academy Haydock: Serving the local St Helens community, Haydock joined the Trust with a shared commitment to high expectations, an inclusive culture, and providing every student with a well-rounded, ambitious curriculum supported by excellent resources.
• Outwood Academy Hindley: Located in the borough of Wigan, Hindley joined the Outwood family to build a high-performing learning environment where academic success, strong pastoral care, and community pride go hand-in-hand.

Together, both academies represent a collaborative, forward-thinking cluster in the North West where financial expertise helps to power student achievement and institutional growth.

Responsibilities

The Finance Manager is responsible for leading the financial control and management of up to 5 Secondary academies and driving best practice across the Trust. Duties include leading the timely and accurate production of regular forecasts, supporting consolidated group financial reporting, and producing monthly financial management reports.

The post holder ensures appropriate systems and internal controls are in place to mitigate against risks such as fraud. The manager also leads the development of medium and long‑term financial plans, manages monthly balance sheet reconciliations, and provides information for statutory returns (e.g., VAT).

Qualifications

A formal accountancy qualification such as CIMA or ACCA would be a significant advantage, but candidates who can demonstrate equivalent financial knowledge and acumen gained by essential experience will also be considered.

The role will require this level of expertise from the outset and will require the successful applicant to quickly assimilate sector and organisation specific regulations.

About Us

Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) places staff development at the heart of its strategy to deliver excellence, aiming to recruit, develop, and retain the best staff through the Outwood Institute of Education (OIE).

What will we do for you?

We offer a supportive package focusing on professional advancement, secure benefits, and work‑life balance:

• Secure Pay & Pension: Competitive salary, automatic pay progression, and enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training & Progression: Access to diverse CPD opportunities, including apprenticeships and vocational qualifications.
• Flexibility & Leave: Flexible family policies, enhanced occupational benefits (with no qualifying period), and 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays for non-term time staff. (Holiday for part‑time staff is calculated on a pro‑rata basis)
• Wellbeing & Perks: Dedicated mental well‑being strategy, free on-site parking, employee discounts, and access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.