Finance and Payroll Manager in Southampton

Join Wonderseekers, the charity behind Winchester Science Centre, as our Finance and Payroll Manager and play a vital role in supporting a mission that inspires children with science. This is a fantastic opportunity for an organised and detail-focused finance professional to take ownership of payroll, income processing and key financial controls within a friendly, supportive team. We’re ready for someone to join as soon as possible, on a fixed-term contract lasting until 31st October 2026. Working 25–30 hours per week across our Eastleigh and Winchester sites, the postholder will have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to work that has real impact.

We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible and supportive as possible. If you need this application pack in an alternative format, or would prefer to apply in a different way, we’re here to help. Please contact Laura on 07483 371391 or 01962 863791, or email to discuss your needs.

Job Details

• Working Hours: 25-30 hours per week (4 full days, or 5 shorter days)
• Work Pattern: Flexible, with hours to be worked across either 4 or 5 days per week (weekdays, office hours). Work pattern to be discussed at interview.
• Location: Working between both sites – Winchester Science Centre and The Point, Eastleigh.
• Salary: £34,000 FTE (actual salary pro-rata’d based on agreed hours per week).
• Contract: Fixed-Term contract. Start date ASAP, contracted ending on 31st October.
• Line manager: Head of Finance
• Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro-rata). Option to buy/sell some leave and gain additional days for continuous service after four years. Bank holiday working required.
• Benefits: Cash health scheme, life assurance, buy/sell annual leave, café and shop discount, free tickets to WSC and partner attractions, family friendly leave, wellbeing policy, mental health first aiders, flexible IT, casual dress, staff events, enhanced pension contribution.

Closing Date: We encourage early applications as there is no closing date - this role is open until filled and we’re ready for the successful candidate to start as soon as possible.

About our Charity

Wonderseekers (the Charity behind Winchester Science Centre) strives to engage all children with science so they can live happier, healthier and more sustainable lives and contribute to improving life on Earth. The Charity runs Winchester Science Centre - a vibrant, hands-on experience for young children. Promising an exciting day out for families, with curriculum-linked trips for schools and an evening events programme, the Science Centre welcomes over 170,000 visitors every year. The Charity also delivers a free and impactful community programme for our priority audiences who may not have the opportunity to come to the Science Centre reaching over 10,000 people every year. Through our magnificent planetarium and live science experiences, as well as our out in communities work, science is brought to life in imaginative, fun and accessible ways that means everyone is included.

The Role

As a key member of the Finance Team, the Finance and Payroll Manager has a vital role in keeping the charity’s financial operations running smoothly and accurately. Working within a small supportive Finance Team, you’ll help ensure the organisation has strong financial foundations by managing payroll, preparing sales invoices, and keeping our income records up to date and reliable.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you’ll take ownership of key financial processes—from preparing monthly payroll and reconciling bank accounts to managing aged debtors and supporting month‑end activity. Your work will help ensure our staff are paid correctly, our records are accurate, and our income streams are well‑managed.

Attention to detail and a proactive approach are essential in this role. As part of a small and dedicated team, you’ll also have the opportunity to support wider finance activities and contribute to ongoing improvements that strengthen our financial controls and help the charity deliver its mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll
• Prepare the monthly payroll for salaried and casual staff, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to HMRC requirements.
• Liaise closely with the People and Culture team to ensure payroll changes, including starters, leavers, contractual changes, and absences, are captured accurately and processed in a timely manner.
• Review recorded timesheets and include them in payroll submissions.
• Reconcile payroll reports to submission reports and check for accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain payroll records and support staff with payroll‑related queries.
• Prepare the monthly payroll journal for posting to the accounting system.
• Sales Ledger and Income Processing
• Process and reconcile daily sales transfers and income feeds from other operational systems into the accounting software.
• Prepare Gift Aid reports to support claims and ensure compliance with HMRC requirements.
• Manage aged debtors, including proactive follow‑up and communication to support effective credit control.
• Prepare and post month‑end journals, including deferred income and other routine adjustments.
• Preparing other ad hoc sales invoices.
• Banking and Reconciliations
• Manage bank feeds and carry out regular bank reconciliations to ensure accurate and up‑to‑date cash records.
• Perform control account reconciliations (e.g., debtors, income control, payroll) and resolve discrepancies on a timely basis.
• General Finance Support
• Assist with month‑end and year‑end processes, ensuring deadlines are met and documentation is well‑organised.
• Support the Finance Team with ad‑hoc tasks and process improvements to strengthen internal financial controls.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience working in a finance role involving payroll and sales ledger responsibilities.
• Strong numerical skills and high attention to detail.
• Good understanding of payroll processes and UK payroll legislation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Office applications.

Desirable

• Experience with accounting software Sage 50.
• Understanding of Gift Aid rules and claims processes.
• Experience working within a charity or not‑for‑profit organisation.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail.
• Team player, enjoys being part of a small, dedicated team and willingly supports colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the finance function.
• Reliable and flexible – able to step in and cover key finance tasks during periods of absence helping to maintain continuity from the finance team.
• Strong communication skills to build a supportive working relationship with colleagues across the organisation.

Additional Information

The post-holder will be subject to a basic DBS check. Flexibility to support events or operational needs outside of standard hours will be required.

Ready to Apply?

Click here to visit our recruitment webpage. When you’re ready, please submit your application through our recruitment portal for this vacancy.

You’ll be asked to share your contact details and answer a few short questions so we can get to know you better. Keep your responses clear and concise - this is your chance to really shine! After that, you’ll upload your cover letter and CV.

We’re always happy to chat about the role before you apply - just reach out using the details below.

Please contact us if you’d like to arrange an informal chat, have any questions about the role before applying or would like to discuss support during the application process.

Contact us: Laura Ollis, Director of People and Culture Email: Telephone: 07483 371391 (No recruitment agencies, thank you.)