Finance Manager - Full-time

Swale Academies Trust

• Ref:KCC-F54-117-S
• Posted:27/11/2025
• Pay:£42,821 - £48,595 FTE
• Start Date:February 2026
• App Close Date:09/01/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:12th January 2026

Advert

• Swale Academies Trust
• £42,821 - £48,595 FTE – SAT H
• 37 hours per week
• February 2026 start
• Interviews: as applications are received or week commencing 12th January 2026

Swale Academies Trust is seeking to appoint a Finance Manager to join our central finance team.  You will be a hardworking, friendly and organised individual, ideally with school finance experience and strong people management skills.

Key duties for a group of schools will include:

• the production of meaningful monthly management accounts,
• proactive budget monitoring through the year,
• setting realistic three and five year budgets utilising ICFP tools (ASOT),
• supportive & effective line management.

This is a challenging but rewarding role.  The successful candidate will be a strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills.

A good working knowledge of IRIS Financials (PSF) and Access Budgeting will be a distinct advantage.

Informal discussions about the post are welcomed.

We will be reviewing applications as they are submitted, therefore we strongly recommend applying early.  Please be aware that the advert may close before the specified date depending on the number of applications received.

Full details of the requirements of the post can be found in the accompanying recruitment pack.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Trust. In return, we offer a stimulating, supporting, and rewarding working environment

We understand the importance of work-life balance and will give due consideration to requests for flexible working. Currently two days work from home is standard within the finance team.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

Join us to benefit from:

• Local Government Pension Scheme – with a generous employer contribution
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
• Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC (Additional Voluntary Contribution) Scheme
• Employee Referral Recruitment Incentive
• Access to training and development
• On-site Parking
• Discounts with local and national retailers, cinemas and restaurants
• Employee Assistance Programme – Wellbeing and advice
• Cycle to Work scheme

Ready to join us?

If you are interested in this post and require further information or would like an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Abigail Stedman, Deputy Head of Finance.

Applications should be made via Kent Teach or by submitting a SAT Application Form to Abigail.stedman@swale.at. Please note, we cannot accept CVs.

If you experience any difficulty in completing the application form, please contact recruitment@swale.at or 01795 905989.

We are happy to discuss any support you may need during your application process as part of our reasonable adjustment approach.

In accordance with current GDPR compliance we will not keep any details / application forms on file once the position is filled.

Swale Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This post is exempt from ROA and will require an enhanced DBS disclosure

Swale Academies Trust schools will conduct an online check of shortlisted candidates in line with the Keeping Children Safe In Education guidelines

Information about the trust

Since its creation in September 2010 Swale Academies Trust has become a strong and successful school improvement service, specialising in taking schools in Ofsted category and turning them into good schools. A glance at the most recent Ofsted reports for Westlands Primary School, Meopham School, The North School, Regis Manor School and The Sittingbourne School, will all point to the effectiveness of the Trust in bringing about change and providing and enabling excellent leadership. First and foremost Swale Academies Trust is about the provision and development of high quality leadership and management.

We don’t seek to develop clone schools that deliver education in a regimented manner. Rather, we value the development in our schools of a spirit of enquiry and action research that provides the best possible education that is right for pupils in a local setting. We do however collectively value and strive for all pupils to produce beautiful work which showcases their development over time of which they, their teachers and support staff and parents can be really proud. We are proud of our schools and we strive for a sense of shared pride in the achievements of all of our students.

Our ambition is driven by enabling schools and children to succeed. We have a wide range of excellent and highly accomplished senior leaders who lead with a sense of purpose, charisma and a set of shared values. The Trust is fortunate to be overseen by a Board of Directors who share leaders’ values and who provide the highest quality challenge and support.

Job Contact Information

• Name:HR Team
• Address:Swale Academies Trust,
  Ashdown House,
  Johnson Road,
  Sittingbourne,
  Kent,
  ME10 1JS
• Telephone: 01795 426091
• Email: recruitment@swale.at

Fax:

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Recruitment Pack