Job Description

Those Huge Small Victories

Here at the Witherslack Group, we strive to change young, vulnerable lives every day – and as a Commercial Operations Finance Manager, you’ll have the chance to help us do that. In this role, you’ll work closely with operational leadership to improve financial performance, visibility, and accountability across our schools and homes. By supporting our sites and central teams, you’ll make a real difference to the way our organisation delivers for children and young people with special educational needs.

Get out what you put in

As a Commercial Operations Finance Manager, you’ll be the key link between central finance and over 60 sites You’ll lead on reviewing results, identifying KPIs, improving reporting packs, and taking ownership of the budgeting process for our 50 schools and homes. You’ll interrogate financials site by site and help introduce a flexible, standard operating model. There will also be opportunities to support M&A activity and contribute to wider initiatives such as the centralisation contracts.

This role will give you exposure to all aspects of finance within a large, growing organisation and the chance to collaborate with senior operational leaders. Your work will directly impact how our teams operate and how effectively we deliver outcomes for young people.

Bring your whole self to work

Here at Witherslack Group, we celebrate everyone’s differences as that’s what makes us the best at what we do. Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds, and with different needs - and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage, and inspire our young people to be themselves.

We’ll give you the chance to build an exciting career in a fast-growing organisation, where you’re free to achieve your potential. Here’s what we need from you:

Essential:

• Qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA)
• Experience preparing and presenting management accounts and financial results
• Experience communicating financial information to non-financial colleagues
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and intermediate Excel skills
• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain complex concepts simply
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Flexible, motivated team player, able to work to tight deadlines and prioritise multiple tasks
• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English
• Confident IT skills, including work processing
• Understanding of confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately
• Full UK Driver’s License

Desirable:

• Experience of working in an educational/service company
• Workday experience
• Advanced Excel skills
• Customer service-focused approach
• Experience with Purchase Ledgers and a Purchase Order system
• AAT or equivalent qualification

What we do for you

We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with a competitive salary and benefits package. With us, you’ll make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:

• Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience
• Training and ongoing professional development
• 35 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Flexible benefits package including pension and life insurance
• Wellbeing support, including employee assistance programs
• Medical cover for appointments like opticians and dentist visits
• Recommend-a-friend scheme with £1,000 bonus

Join the UK’s best special education and care provider

Our young people deserve the best possible future and we feel the same about our teams. You deserve to have the career you want, with a purpose-led employer, in an environment that allows you to be yourself.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost). We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

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