Finance Manager
Salary £ 34,500 - £45,100 or €42,850 - €52,500 (typically starting at lower end upon appointment)
This role can be based in Edinburgh or Aviemore, Scotland; Kirby Lonsdale, England or Sligo, Ireland. Flexible / Hybrid working will also be considered.
Vacancy listed 12/08/2025
Application deadline 31/08/2025
Details
Job Purpose

As our Finance Manager, you will be a key player in the smooth running of a growing adventure travel company, ensuring our financial operations are as robust and reliable as our trips.

You will be leading a small team and driving key financial processes, from the production of monthly management accounts to ensuring our books are audit-ready. Your passion for numbers and an eye for detail will not only keep us compliant with all statutory requirements but also help us identify and implement continuous improvements. This role is a perfect fit for someone who wants to play a crucial part in a mission-driven company that champions sustainability and a love for the outdoors.

Key Accountabilities

  • Leading the production of the monthly management accounts, including revenue and trip expense recognition, monitoring of trip margin accuracy and balance sheet reconciliation (with some support from the CFO).
  • Management of a small but growing team, spread over office locations within Scotland and Ireland.
  • Identifying and driving continuous improvement in relation to financial processes and procedures.
  • Maintaining accurate and complete financial records which stand up to audit.
  • Compliance with statutory requirements in relation to VAT returns and Corporation Tax.

Key Responsibilities 

  • Oversight of financial transactions and day-to-day accounting, including both sales and purchase ledgers.
  • Management of company card balances and transaction reconciliations.
  • Support with the monthly payroll for the Wilderness Group, meeting statutory obligations.
  • Provide ad hoc support to the Wilderness Group team members as required with any aspect of company financial processes and procedures.

What do we typically look for in successful candidates across all roles?

  • A strong and clear commitment to customer service excellence and “extra mile” delivery.
  • Good IT skills with experience in cloud-based CRM systems such as Salesforce, Google Drive and Mac applications.
  • Strong administration and organisational skills, with the ability to maintain accuracy even when very busy.
  • Consistently great attention to detail, even when faced with multiple tasks and deadlines.
  • Good interpersonal skills, awareness and emotional intelligence with an ability to develop and sustain internal & external business relationships.
  • A natural collaborator who enjoys working in teams with a diverse range of individuals.
  • A commitment to some weekend work to support with any 'out of hours' operational requirements
  • A genuine interest, knowledge and passion for adventure in the regions where Wilderness operates.
  • Is committed to sustainability and is an advocate for wild places and our planet.

Preferred role-specific skills, knowledge & experience

  • An accounting qualification is not necessarily needed for this role, but would be beneficial. We are open to applicants who are "qualified by experience", as well as those that may be qualified or studying towards ACCA/CIMA/AAT.
  • Relevant experience gained within an accounting or financial management role, ideally within the travel industry (but not essential).
  • Track record of being a natural collaborator who enjoys working in, and managing, teams with a diverse range of individuals.
  • An advanced Excel user, with excellent IT skills and experience of cloud based CRM systems, ideally Salesforce & Xero, as well as Google Apps and Mac applications.   
  • Experience of dealing with all parts of the tourism supply chain including accommodation, transport and other service providers.
  • Proven ability to manage financial processes, prioritising tasks and maintaining attention to detail during times of pressure.
  • Strong people management skills are also essential.

That said, a passion for what we are trying to achieve as a business coupled with a desire to help make this happen goes a long way, so please don’t be put off applying just because you don’t tick all of the above. What’s most important is that you believe you can fulfil this role and demonstrate this accordingly through your application and subsequent interview process

How to Apply

We’re keen to hear from you so please send us your CV and 1 page Cover Letter in PDF format through the online Breathe Recruitment portal detailing the following:

  1. Which role you are applying for. 
  2. Relevant experience and transferable skills you can bring to this role, including how you manage a varied workload.
  3. How you will enhance the performance of our Finance Team.

All applications should be submitted through our Breathe HR recruitment system in PDF format and will be auto-acknowledged upon receipt before being manually reviewed by the team. Please ensure your CV and Cover Letter are ready before clicking 'apply'. Your application must be complete to be fully considered.

Please note that we are not in a position to offer sponsorship for this role. As such, a right to work in the UK / Ireland is required in order to apply. 
Benefits

35 hour working week
31 days holiday + earn up to 12 rostered days off per annum
14 hours of volunteer leave to make a difference towards causes that are important to you and/or our business
Flexible / Hybrid working plus up to 2 weeks working from anywhere
Company Contributed Stakeholder Pension
Company Health Plan (after the qualifying period)
Occupational Maternity Pay (after the qualifying period)
Bike to Work Scheme
Family and friends discounts
Training and career development opportunities
Team activity afternoons (Wilderness Wednesday)
Industry discounts on outdoor clothing and equipment
Cake on your birthday
Unlimited tea and coffee with only the occasional milk shortage emergency.

Notes

The Wilderness group of businesses are committed to diversity through inclusive practices. We are looking to improve the diversity of our teams and believe firmly in the value of varied life experiences, backgrounds and cultures in our workplace.

We welcome and encourage diverse applicants for any advertised position and will consider all applicants regardless of age, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, health conditions, disabilities or other characteristics.

• All application docs should be submitted in PDF format - please have these ready to upload before you hit 'apply'.
• Incomplete/incorrectly submitted applications will automatically be rejected.
• A right to work in the UK / Ireland is required in order to apply.
• All applications submitted through Breathe HR system will be auto-acknowledged