Asset Manager - Finance

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Finance Asset Manager to join our Facilities Maintenance and Compliance (FMC) team at The University of Manchester.

This is a key leadership role within the Directorate of Estates and Facilities, overseeing financial operations across a large and diverse service that supports over 160 staff with an operational budget of £24M.

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring robust financial management, developing effective processes, and driving best practice across budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and cost recovery. You will also lead and manage our Estates Helpdesk and Stores operations, ensuring high quality, customer focused services.

If you are looking to make a real impact in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where Finance, Operations, and Facilities Management come together, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of Finance support services for FMC, ensuring compliance with University financial regulations and procedures.
• Provide financial forecasting, budget monitoring, and variance analysis to senior stakeholders.
• Oversee the Estates Helpdesk and Internal Stores, ensuring efficient and customer focused operations.
• Reconcile accounts, resolve discrepancies, and manage procurement and invoice processing queries.
• Develop and implement effective cost recovery processes and support annual stock takes.
• Produce and review financial reports for each business area, taking corrective action where required.
• Advise on appropriate use of financial codes, authorisation limits, and purchasing policies.
• Contribute to performance management by setting up and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Foster collaboration across Estates Support, Central Finance, Procurement, and wider University teams.

What We’re Looking For:

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Significant experience in a similar financial management role or a relevant financial/administrative qualification (HNC/HND or higher) with equivalent experience.
• Working towards (or holding) a professional finance qualification such as CIMA or ACCA.
• Strong computer literacy, with experience of finance systems, Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel), and CAFM systems.
• Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication, able to engage with technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience in leading and managing finance related teams or service operations.
• Knowledge of performance management and KPI reporting.
• Experience of working within estates, facilities, or Higher Education environments.

Why Work at the University of Manchester?

Join a world-class institution that values diversity and equality in the workplace.

Benefit from a range of staff benefits, including family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, and career development opportunities. Access to training and mentorship to support your career growth, with structured development plans and performance reviews. Be part of a global institution in a vibrant, culturally diverse city, with support for international applicants and relocation assistance.

The University of Manchester is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.

We invite applications from all backgrounds and look forward to welcoming the next member of our team to the Directorate of Estates and Facilities.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Ben Usher

Email: ben.usher@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

Jobtrain: 0161 850 2004 https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.