Job Description
Manager to lead a small finance team in supporting and enabling the philanthropic fundraising activities of the University of Edinburgh.
The Opportunity
This role will develop and strengthen financial strategies and provide comprehensive financial management for the University of Edinburgh Development Trust (a registered Scottish Charity) and the Development & Alumni department (D&A). Central to the work is the production of statutory annual accounts in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (2005) and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations and management of the Development Trust’s annual audit by independent external auditors (OSCR). The role also undertakes statutory returns to OSCR and other agencies.
Working as part of the Advancement Operations team, with an immediate team of four, the Finance Manager will devise and develop efficient financial systems and budgetary control; always maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders across the University to successfully deliver work. The role will provide professional accounting, treasury and taxation services to the Development Trust and Development & Alumni department. Advising fundraisers on financial aspects of donor relationships such as gifts of shares, endowment modelling and gift process considerations for non UK-based donors.
Your skills and attributes for success:
Must be a qualified accountant with a strong financial management and accounting background; including. experience in actively managing an audit and audit enquiries.
Experience of successfully managing a team and supporting direct reports to develop.
Must have an understanding of the financial regulation of the charity sector.
Sound knowledge of integrated accounting and finance systems.
Experience in reviewing and documenting financial controls and procedures and implementing change.
Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to convey financial information to non-finance staff.
Click here for a copy of the full job description .
Application process
As part of your application, please ensure you include both a CV and a covering letter. Applications with no cover letter will not be considered.
Development & Alumni
The Development & Alumni department offers an inclusive and welcoming working environment: we understand that a diverse team is crucial to achieving our mission of "connecting for good". Our team is ambitious, acts with integrity and demonstrates commitment to progress and impact. We nurture talent and reward success.
You will be empowered to shape and inform aspects of our office culture such as diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, and sustainability. You will be supported to bring new ideas, and to take and learn from calculated risks. You will be empowered to develop ways of working that fit team needs and individual circumstances.
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
A competitive salary of £4+,55+ - £60,+07 per annum.
An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 24 March 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:5+pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews will be held in early April 2026.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About the Team
Development & Alumni maintains and enhances our relationships with all our former students – around 250,000 in more than 150 countries. We also fundraise in order to ensure that the University can continue to provide ground-breaking research, world-class facilities and scholarships to talented students and staff members from across the world.
To find out more, visit https://www.ed.ac.uk/development-alumni .
https://www.ed.ac.uk/development-alumni/equity-diversity-inclusion
The Opportunity
This role will develop and strengthen financial strategies and provide comprehensive financial management for the University of Edinburgh Development Trust (a registered Scottish Charity) and the Development & Alumni department (D&A). Central to the work is the production of statutory annual accounts in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (2005) and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations and management of the Development Trust’s annual audit by independent external auditors (OSCR). The role also undertakes statutory returns to OSCR and other agencies.
Working as part of the Advancement Operations team, with an immediate team of four, the Finance Manager will devise and develop efficient financial systems and budgetary control; always maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders across the University to successfully deliver work. The role will provide professional accounting, treasury and taxation services to the Development Trust and Development & Alumni department. Advising fundraisers on financial aspects of donor relationships such as gifts of shares, endowment modelling and gift process considerations for non UK-based donors.
Your skills and attributes for success:
Must be a qualified accountant with a strong financial management and accounting background; including. experience in actively managing an audit and audit enquiries.
Experience of successfully managing a team and supporting direct reports to develop.
Must have an understanding of the financial regulation of the charity sector.
Sound knowledge of integrated accounting and finance systems.
Experience in reviewing and documenting financial controls and procedures and implementing change.
Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to convey financial information to non-finance staff.
Click here for a copy of the full job description .
Application process
As part of your application, please ensure you include both a CV and a covering letter. Applications with no cover letter will not be considered.
Development & Alumni
The Development & Alumni department offers an inclusive and welcoming working environment: we understand that a diverse team is crucial to achieving our mission of "connecting for good". Our team is ambitious, acts with integrity and demonstrates commitment to progress and impact. We nurture talent and reward success.
You will be empowered to shape and inform aspects of our office culture such as diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, and sustainability. You will be supported to bring new ideas, and to take and learn from calculated risks. You will be empowered to develop ways of working that fit team needs and individual circumstances.
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
A competitive salary of £4+,55+ - £60,+07 per annum.
An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 24 March 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:5+pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews will be held in early April 2026.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About the Team
Development & Alumni maintains and enhances our relationships with all our former students – around 250,000 in more than 150 countries. We also fundraise in order to ensure that the University can continue to provide ground-breaking research, world-class facilities and scholarships to talented students and staff members from across the world.
To find out more, visit https://www.ed.ac.uk/development-alumni .
https://www.ed.ac.uk/development-alumni/equity-diversity-inclusion
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Finance Manager position is now open for candidates interested in the Accountant Jobs sector. This role in City of Edinburgh offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Accountant Jobs is a plus.
