Finance Manager (Fixed Term Maternity Cover)

St Ivo Academy, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 6RR

12 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January

• Closing date

  15 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  2 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time, full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full time equivalent salary: £42,405.00 Annually (Actual)

Finance Manager (Fixed Term Maternity Cover) job summary

Finance Manager (Maternity Cover)

Astrea Academy Trust
Salary: £42,405 per annum
Contract: Fixed Term (Maternity Cover)
Start Date: January 2027
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week (part-time applications will be considered for the right candidate)

About Astrea Academy Trust

Astrea Academy Trust is a values-driven organisation committed to transforming lives through education. Serving communities across South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire, we believe that every child deserves access to an excellent education, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through collaboration, high expectations and a relentless focus on improvement, our academies work together to overcome educational disadvantage and create opportunities for all pupils to thrive. As a growing and ambitious trust, we are committed to developing talented professionals who share our belief in the power of education to change lives.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Finance Manager to join our Finance Team on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave. Reporting to the Lead Finance Manager, you will provide strategic and operational financial support to a portfolio of schools, helping leaders to make informed decisions through robust financial planning, forecasting and reporting.

Working closely with Principals, Operations Managers, Regional Directors and central teams, you will play a key role in ensuring financial sustainability, compliance and effective use of resources across the Trust. Regular travel between our academies in Cambridge, will be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the lead finance partner for a group of academies, building strong and effective relationships with school and central colleagues.
• Prepare and present monthly management accounts, highlighting key financial trends, risks and opportunities.
• Produce and maintain accurate financial forecasts and support schools with budget monitoring and planning.
• Lead regular finance review meetings with senior school leaders to discuss performance and future projections.
• Prepare annual budgets and support long-term financial planning using curriculum-led financial modelling.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, investigate variances and provide clear financial analysis.
• Prepare and post monthly accounting adjustments, including accruals, prepayments and inter-school cost allocations.
• Support grant monitoring, trip reconciliations and balance sheet reviews.
• Ensure financial controls and processes are followed consistently across schools.
• Provide financial insights, reports and ad-hoc analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Contribute to the Trust's commitment to inclusion, social mobility and continuous improvement.

What We Are Looking For

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.
• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent) or currently studying towards a professional accounting qualification.
• Previous experience in a Finance Manager or similar role with responsibility for budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Strong experience of presenting complex financial information clearly and effectively to non-financial stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior leaders.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and confidence working with financial data.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and improving financial practices.
• Experience of working with finance systems such as PSF and IMP would be advantageous.

Why Join Astrea?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference across a growing family of schools.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.
• A role with genuine influence on school improvement and educational outcomes.
• Commitment to professional development and career progression.
• Flexible working opportunities, with part-time arrangements considered for the right candidate.

Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI:

Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.

In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the statutory Code of Practice, the Trust requires all public-facing post holders to demonstrate fluent English. Within a school setting, this applies to all roles that involve direct or indirect interaction with pupils, parents, or members of the public.

Flexible Interview Dates:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window. This role is being advertised in both South Yorkshire and Cambridge to maximise suitable applications, there is only one position available.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to our dynamic and forward-thinking team, apply today and be a part of our mission to create a positive impact!

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment to this post would be subject to an Enhanced Child Workforce DBS check with Barred List, satisfactory medical and employment references.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About St Ivo Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1378 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: St Ivo Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-ivo-academy

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to St Ivo Academy. We are an inclusive 11-18 academy which for the last 60 years has been privileged to serve the community of St Ives and its surrounding area.

Our vision for St Ivo Academy is:

We believe that all students, regardless of their starting point, should be guided and supported to develop the academic, social and moral understanding and behaviours to be successful and happy in their future.
As a community of students, staff and parents/carers we are respectful, polite and courteous to each other in all that we do.
The values we hold as being central to this are:

Respect
Resilience
Our ethos is, very simply:

Work hard, be kind
We believe that St Ivo Academy offers a unique mix of academic success and care for the individual. It is a great place to learn and to work. We are very proud of a school which is constantly evolving and adapting to provide the best education for the young people of St Ives.

You will find key information about the school on this site or for more regular updates use our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts. You are, of course, very welcome to arrange a visit to see for yourself what St Ivo Academy has to offer.

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