Finance Business Partner

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Job Title

Finance Business Partner

Reporting to

Finance Director - Operations

Role Purpose

The Finance Business Partner acts as a trusted advisor to operational and senior leaders, providing financial insight, challenge, and support to drive commercial decision‑making, performance improvement, and value creation. The role bridges finance and the business, translating financial data into actionable insight.

Key Responsibilities

Business Partnering & Decision Support

• Partner with senior stakeholders and operational teams to support strategic and operational decision‑making
• Provide constructive challenge to business plans, assumptions, and investment proposals
• Support the development and evaluation of business cases, including cost/benefit and return on investment analysis

Financial Planning & Performance

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and medium‑term planning processes for assigned areas
• Monitor financial performance against budgets and forecasts, identifying risks and opportunities
• Produce clear, insightful management reporting with narrative and recommendations

Financial Analysis & Insight

• Analyse trends, drivers, and variances to explain performance and influence outcomes
• Develop and track KPIs and performance metrics aligned to business objectives
• Provide scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to support key decisions

Cost Control & Efficiency

• Identify opportunities to improve cost control, efficiency, and value for money
• Support cost transformation and productivity initiatives
• Ensure robust financial controls are embedded within operational processes

Governance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with financial policies, accounting standards, and internal controls
• Support audit processes and respond to audit queries as required
• Promote strong financial discipline and accountability across the business

Stakeholder Management

• Build credible, collaborative relationships with non‑finance stakeholders
• Act as the primary finance contact for assigned business areas
• Present financial information clearly to both financial and non‑financial audiences

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the development of finance processes, systems, and reporting
• Support automation and improved use of data and analytics
• Mentor or support junior finance team members where applicable

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and business understanding
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to influence, challenge, and communicate with senior stakeholders
• Strong financial modelling and Excel skills (Power BI/Tableau desirable)
• Clear, confident communication and presentation skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience
• Proven experience in a finance business partnering, management accounting, or commercial finance role
• Experience supporting operational or service‑based teams

Desirable

• Experience in a regulated, infrastructure, utilities, or large complex organisation
• Experience with strategic planning, investment appraisal, or transformation programmes

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and results‑focused
• Curious, inquisitive, and willing to challenge constructively
• Collaborative and relationship‑driven
• High level of integrity and professionalism