Finance Business Partner

Job Purpose

To act as a trusted Business Partner to assigned service areas, providing professional advice, insight, and constructive challenge to support effective decision-making, service delivery, and the achievement of corporate priorities. You will support senior managers and budget holders to meet statutory obligations, improve performance, and ensure value for money while maintaining strong financial governance.

Key Responsibilities
● Team Leadership & Improvement: Lead, motivate, and develop Finance Officers while driving continuous improvement across financial processes.
● Strategic Financial Advice: Serve as the lead finance partner for nominated Directorates, advising budget managers and heads of service on management accounting, policy objectives, and service delivery.
● Budgeting & Planning: Support annual budget setting, medium-term financial planning, and deliver robust revenue and capital forecasts aligned with authority priorities.
● Performance & Savings Management: Monitor savings, growth, and transformation programmes while identifying financial risks, pressures, and efficiency opportunities.
● Transformation & Analysis: Provide financial leadership for major projects, business cases, option appraisals, and strategic initiatives to ensure value for money.
● Governance & Controls: Ensure compliance with financial management frameworks, corporate governance rules, internal controls, and audit processes.

Requirements & Competencies
● Experience: Established career with over 3 years of relevant experience, including managing junior officers and direct advisory work with Heads of Service/Directors.
● Technical Expertise: Strong background in public sector/local government management accounting, financial planning, and risk management.
● Leadership & Communication: Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial details clearly, build consensus, and drive performance.