Finance Business Partner – AR

Job Details

Job Description

Job Title

Finance Business Partner

Reference: AA3698
Grade: N10
Reports to: Service Manager – Financial Strategy
Direct Reports: None

Purpose of the Role

To provide high-quality financial advice, guidance, and challenge to managers across allocated service areas, supporting improved business performance and the effective delivery of the Council’s vision, priorities, and values.

The postholder will act as a trusted finance business partner, identifying opportunities to improve financial performance, support service transformation, develop robust business cases, and ensure the effective use of public resources.

Key Responsibilities

  • Identify, develop, and support opportunities to transform the delivery of financial services across the Council.
  • Review and improve financial and business processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Provide financial advice, guidance, and challenge to managers within designated service areas.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of supported services and contribute to policy development where appropriate.
  • Prepare and evaluate capital and revenue business cases and options appraisals to support service objectives and decision-making.
  • Identify, investigate, and support actions to reduce cost pressures and improve financial performance.
  • Identify opportunities for income generation and efficiency savings.
  • Undertake benchmarking exercises to compare performance and identify best practice.
  • Provide financial support for revenue and capital projects.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with managers, colleagues, and stakeholders to support informed decision-making and sound financial management.
  • Deliver coaching, training, and mentoring to non-finance managers where appropriate.
  • Collaborate with external partners and agencies as required.
  • Represent the Council on relevant external groups, partnerships, or forums.
  • Promote and embed the Council’s Diversity, Equality, Equity, and Accessibility principles in all aspects of work.
  • Contribute to maintaining a healthy, safe, and secure working environment and comply with all relevant policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

  • Relevant professional accountancy qualification or demonstrable commitment to studying towards a recognised qualification.
  • Experience of improving financial performance within services, including budget setting, forecasting, benchmarking, and financial analysis.
  • Experience of providing financial advice, guidance, and analysis to non-financial managers.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Experience of preparing business cases, options appraisals, and providing financial support to projects.
  • Experience of delivering financial training and development to non-finance managers.
  • Good working knowledge of relevant financial, legal, and technical regulations, policies, and procedures within a local authority environment.
  • Strong ICT skills and experience of using financial systems and software packages.
  • Evidence of an open, collaborative working style and effective business partnering skills.
  • Ability to proactively identify and resolve business performance issues.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to challenging deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Desirable Criteria

  • Experience of working within a local government environment.
  • Detailed understanding of current issues affecting local government finance and the local, regional, and national efficiency agenda.

Council Values

The postholder will demonstrate and promote the Council’s values:

  • Proud – taking ownership and delivering high-quality services.
  • Fair – acting with integrity, promoting inclusion, and ensuring the responsible use of public resources.
  • Ambitious – driving continuous improvement and seeking innovative solutions that deliver value for residents.