Senior Finance Manager

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Are you an accountancy qualified finance professional with a passion for leadership, strategic thinking, and driving organisational improvement? We’re looking for a Senior Finance Manager to lead a high‑performing team and play a key role in shaping the financial future of Social Work England.

Known internally as a Senior Finance Business Partner, you’ll join our Finance and Commercial team, part of the wider People & Business Support directorate. It’s a busy, collaborative environment where our colleagues work on everything from payroll and financial planning to procurement and office facilities. We support colleagues across the organisation and contribute to the continued development of Social Work England.

Social Work England are the specialist regulator for social work in England, focused on enabling positive change in social work. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change and ultimately improve people’s lives.

This is a high‑profile leadership role, responsible for managing a team of three Finance Business Partners, alongside supporting finance and facilities colleagues. You’ll report to the Head of Finance and Commercial and act as their Deputy Head of Finance when required.

You’ll be instrumental in ensuring financial services are delivered efficiently and professionally, using your expertise to influence decision‑making, manage risk and support strategic planning. You’ll also lead on the production of management accounts, oversee financial reporting and support the annual audit process.

• Lead, coach and develop a team of Finance Business Partners, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation and our sponsor team.
• Deputise for the Head of Finance and Commercial at key meetings and support strategic decision‑making.
• Ensure robust financial planning, reporting and control processes are in place and well understood.
• Oversee the production of monthly management accounts and insightful financial analysis.
• Support budget planning and forecasting, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.
• Collaborate with the People and Development team to streamline payroll and establishment budget processes.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, legal obligations and sponsor department mandates.

At Social Work England, our values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape how we work, how we make decisions and how we support each other. We’re looking for colleagues who live these values in their day‑to‑day work.

• A CCAB‑recognised accounting qualification such as ACCA, CIMA or ICAS.
• Significant post‑qualification accounting experience, with evidence of identifying risk and informed decision making.
• Proven experience in leading and developing finance teams and delivering high‑quality financial services.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly.
• Experience of preparing annual accounts for audit and public reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach to managing risk and driving improvement.

• Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.
• 25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
• The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
• A TIDE award‑winning inclusive culture, made up of staff networks, social events and forums.
• A pension scheme, life insurance, an employee recognition scheme and cycle‑to‑work scheme.

If you are successful at interview, we will carry out a series of routine pre‑employment checks. These include verifying your references, confirming your right to work in the UK and completing a Basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. These checks are conducted in partnership with our third‑party provider, Amiqus, who will guide you through the process. Please note that all offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of these checks.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact our recruitment team via recruitm and we’ll be happy to help.

If you have any queries about the recruitment process, or would like to discuss the role, please contact recruitm

To apply, complete the application form by the closing date.