Job Description

Actual Job Title: Senior Finance Manager

The Post

The Senior Finance Manager is responsible for the operational leadership of the Finance function managing a team of two coordinators and facilitating and developing the Union's Finance activity. Key responsibilities include the delivery of month/year end processes including production of management accounts, review, development and implementation of financial processes, management of bank reconciliations and sales & purchase ledger. This role requires a confident and inclusive approach to people management, ensuring clear expectations and high standards are in place so the Finance team can deliver accurate, timely, and high-quality financial operations, reporting, and controls that support students and the Union's objectives. The role plays a critical part in ensuring the Union's financial operations are robust, compliant, and responsive to organisational priorities. The postholder will also be responsible for overseeing the Union's payroll processes and working with external partners such as financial and payroll experts.

The Person

We are looking to recruit a highly organised and motivated individual with the following skillset:

Experience leading and managing staff, including setting priorities, supporting development, and holding people to account Excellent attention to detail, combined with the ability to see the wider operational picture Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan ahead and manage competing deadlines Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to work constructively across teams Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment Ability to be flexible Excellent IT and Microsoft skills, in particular with Excel Experience overseeing and delivering key financial processes Experience producing management accounts (desirable but not essential) Experience delivering payroll (desirable but not essential) Experience working with a cloud based accounting system (desirable but not essential)

What we offer

Strong team mentality, supportive and sociable workplace Regular training opportunities and team development days 38 days holiday (30 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays) and additional Christmas leave (University shutdown) Flexible working (e.g. flexitime, career break, paid time off for volunteering) 35 hour week Enhanced sick pay, maternity, paternity or adoption leave Access to University staff benefits: discounted gym membership, free library membership, bike safe Employee Assistance Programme

The Organisation

The University of Portsmouth Students' Union (The Union or UPSU for short) is a forward thinking, friendly organisation with a vision of "delivering a positive impact with every Portsmouth student". As a charity led by its values and guided by its members, we offer a wide range of services and activities to support and enrich the lives of our students. UPSU employs approximately 30 career staff, a further 40 student staff and we work with over 1000 registered student volunteers and over 100 student groups.

Further Information

For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Cherelyn Cuthbert, Director of Central Services, on cherelyn.cuthbert@upsu.net or 02392 843102.

Closing date for applications: Midday, 25th February 2026

Interviews will be held on date: 10th March 2026

We kindly ask that candidates do not send CVs or cover letters as these will not be considered. You can find an application form on our website.

Anonymous shortlisting will be carried out for this role to ensure a fair and consistent approach to recruitment. We will not disclose any personal details to the shortlisting panel. Any documents or links with identifying information will not be used during shortlisting, but can be submitted if you are selected for an interview.

We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community and we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment which supports everyone from recruitment through to appointment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all talented people and as part of this commitment, we are working to improve the diversity of our workforce to ensure that it is as relevant and representative of our student community as possible and are actively encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.

The Union is a MINDFUL EMPLOYER and we are committed to creating a supportive and open culture and actively support the mental wellbeing of all staff.

Due to the high number of applicants, if you have not heard from UPSU by the interview date you should assume you have been unsuccessful in your application.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Fixed term contract, Graduate
Contract length: 24 months

Pay: 33,000.00-39,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Casual dress Company events Company pension Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Flexitime Free flu jabs Health & wellbeing programme Paid volunteer time Sabbatical Sick pay Work from home
Work Location: In person