Overview
Senior Finance Business Partner role focusing on shaping financial performance across multiple directorates. You’ll champion accountability, lead cost control initiatives, and provide strategic financial insight to support effective decision-making. Where applicable, you’ll guide and develop a team, ensuring they deliver high‑quality financial support and add real value to the organisation.
Responsibilities
* Lead Directorate contributions to government-wide processes (e.g., Spending Review) in collaboration with senior executives, central finance, and the parent Department.
* Champion cost control and productivity initiatives; ensure alignment with key agreements and business cases.
* Support senior leaders in managing budgets in line with HM Treasury and Government Finance standards, driving accountability and performance.
* Build and manage effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including Executive teams.
* Drive performance improvement and productivity initiatives across the Directorate.
* Interpret management reports and present clear, actionable insights to senior leaders and the parent Department.
* Oversee month-end financial processes, including account preparation, variance analysis, and report reviews.
* Lead annual business planning and budgeting in collaboration with senior executives and finance teams.
* Partner with senior leaders to prepare quarterly re-forecasts for submission to the Executive.
* Review and challenge funding requests to ensure value for money, affordability, and compliance with HM Treasury guidance.
* Manage cash flow submissions to the Department for Transport (DfT) and oversee foreign exchange hedging activities.
* Identify, design, and implement process improvements to enhance project delivery.
* Ensure consistent use of reporting methods and financial processes across finance teams.
* Provide proactive business partnering, challenge forecasts and variances, and recommend corrective actions.
* Develop, coach, and mentor business finance team members to increase capability and impact.
* Share best practices with the wider finance community and contribute to cross-functional initiatives as required.
Qualifications
Knowledge
* Professional Accounting: Fully qualified accountant with experience in complex, fast-moving environments.
* Government Frameworks: Understanding of government accounting rules (DEL/AME) and compliance within delegated authorities.
* Systems & Processes: Knowledge of financial systems with ability to design and oversee robust analyses.
* Commercial Awareness: Sound appreciation of commercial drivers and their impact on financial decision-making.
Experience
* Complex Organisations: Proven track record as a qualified accountant within large, multifaceted organisations or projects.
* Budgeting & Forecasting: Skilled in activity-based budgeting and annual business planning within Spending Review constraints.
* Matrix Environments: Experience in matrix structures, including large-scale infrastructure projects.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with planning, procurement, contract management, and HR to optimise resource planning.
* Team Leadership & Oversight: Managed finance business partners and project accountants, overseeing programme teams with substantial budgets.
Details
* Working Hours: Full Time, Monday to Friday
* Location: Hybrid/Birmingham
* Duration: Permanent
Benefits
* A competitive pension scheme, with up to 12 per cent employer contributions
* A starting salary that reflects your skills and experience
* A cash allowance in lieu of benefits to tailor packages to you and your family
* Core company-funded benefits such as life assurance, income protection and health cash plan
* 25 days annual leave plus public holidays
* Access to tax-efficient voluntary benefits scheme, including retail, health, leisure, and travel offers
* Employee Assistance Program
* Financial and health well-being programmes
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