FINANCE MANAGER
About this role
REPORTING TO: Chief Operating Officer
SALARY: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum
CONTRACT: Full-time, permanent
BENEFITS: To be discussed during interview process
CLOSING DATE: Sunday 23rd August 2026
ABOUT NOTTINGHAM FOREST FOUNDATION
Nottingham Forest Foundation is the official charity of Nottingham Forest Football Club. Using the power of Nottingham Forest and football, we create positive opportunities and lasting change for people and communities across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Our work is shaped around three strategic pillars: Place, People and Potential – supporting healthier, more connected communities and helping people to fulfil their potential.
THE ROLE
The Finance Manager will lead the Foundation’s day-to-day financial operations, ensuring accurate records, strong financial controls and timely reporting.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the postholder will oversee transactional finance, payroll coordination, cashflow, project reporting, audit preparation and financial compliance.
Working closely with budget holders, project leads and external advisers, the Finance Manager will provide clear and reliable financial information to support effective decision-making across the organisation.
This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and solutions-focused finance professional to play a central role within an ambitious and growing charity.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Operations
Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records using Sage 50.
Oversee purchase and sales ledgers, bank reconciliations, invoicing and payment processes.
Ensure income and expenditure are correctly authorised, recorded and coded.
Maintain complete and accessible financial records and supporting documentation.
Monitor accounts payable and receivable and implement effective credit control processes.
Resolve financial queries with colleagues, suppliers, customers and partners.
Management Information
Support the preparation of monthly management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
Produce clear financial reports for the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Leadership Team, budget holders and Trustees.
Monitor organisational and project performance against budget, highlighting variances, risks and emerging issues.
Prepare and maintain accurate cashflow forecasts.
Support the management of organisational reserves and surplus funds in line with approved policies and Trustee instructions.
Project and Funding Management
Work with project leads to ensure costs are correctly allocated across contracts, grants and funding streams.
Support budget holders to monitor expenditure and manage underspends, overspends and financial risks.
Provide accurate information for funding claims, project reports and partner returns.
Review financial terms within contracts and grant agreements and support compliance with funding conditions.
Maintain clear audit trails for restricted funds and externally funded programmes.
Payroll
Coordinate the accurate and timely submission of payroll information to the external payroll provider.
Act as the main point of contact for payroll queries.
Review payroll reports and arrange payments to employees, pension providers, HMRC and other relevant bodies.
Maintain accurate and confidential payroll records.
Audit, Compliance and Controls
Act as the main operational contact for external auditors and accountants.
Coordinate the provision of records and schedules required for the annual audit and statutory accounts process.
Support the implementation of audit recommendations.
Maintain and regularly review financial policies, procedures and internal controls.
Support compliance with relevant charity, company, tax and financial reporting requirements.
Identify opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting and ways of working.
Working across the Organisation
Provide clear and practical financial guidance to colleagues and budget holders.
Build effective relationships with auditors, accountants, banks, payroll providers, funders and commissioners.
Contribute to organisational meetings and planning where financial input is required.
Undertake other duties appropriate to the level and responsibilities of the role.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Essential
A recognised bookkeeping or accounting qualification, or significant equivalent experience.
Experience of using Sage 50 or a comparable accounting system.
Strong knowledge of purchase and sales ledgers, invoicing and credit control.
Experience of completing bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
Experience of supporting management accounts, budgets, forecasts and financial reporting.
Experience of coordinating payroll information and payments.
Knowledge of audit processes, financial controls and compliance requirements.
Ability to interpret and explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
Strong spreadsheet, database and general IT skills.
Excellent organisation, accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
Confident and professional communication skills.
Desirable
AAT qualified, part-qualified accountant or equivalent.
Experience of working within a charity, foundation or third sector organisation.
Knowledge of charity accounting, restricted funds and the Charities SORP.
Experience of managing grants, contracts or commissioned funding.
Experience of supporting year-end accounts and external audits.
Experience of improving financial systems, policies or processes.
Personal qualities
The successful candidate will be:
Highly organised, methodical and dependable.
Approachable and able to build trusted relationships.
Confident working independently and using their initiative.
Discreet when handling sensitive and confidential information.
Resilient, adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment.
Solutions-focused and committed to continuous improvement.
Honest, accountable and committed to acting with integrity.
Respectful, collaborative and supportive of others.
TIMELINES AND PROCESS
Application deadline: Sunday 23rd August 2026
Interviews (face to face at the City Ground): 3rd and 4th September 2026
All applicants must diligently fill out the application form. As an integral part of the application process, all candidates must possess the right to work in the UK, undergo an enhanced DBS check, and provide two professional references.
FOREST FOR EVERYONE
We aim to create a culture which embraces and celebrates difference, enables individuals to feel comfortable, maximise their potential, and eliminates discrimination. Nottingham Forest Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or any other legally protected characteristic.
PRIVACY NOTICE
Nottingham Forest Foundation is committed to being transparent about how it handles your personal information, to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information and meeting its obligation under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
SAFEGUARDING
At Nottingham Forest Foundation, we have a holistic and person-centred approach to safeguarding.
Where concerns about any child or adult at risk are raised, NFF staff will always act with the best interests of the individual at the forefront of all actions. We accept and acknowledge our responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of all participants engaged in NFF programmes and activities. It is the duty of our staff and volunteers at NFF to ensure that all participants are safeguarded by creating and maintaining activities and environments that protect them from harm. Safeguarding is the responsibility of all.