Senior Finance Business Partner – AR

Job Details

Senior Finance Business Partner – Education Services

Temporary Contract – 6 Months
Location: Somerset / Hybrid
Sector: Local Government / Public Sector Finance

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Finance Business Partner to support Somerset’s Education Services on a temporary 6-month basis. This role will lead financial planning, forecasting, monitoring and strategic financial support across a range of education budgets, including Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), transport, statutory education services and traded education services.

Working closely with senior finance colleagues, education leaders and operational managers, the postholder will provide high-quality financial insight and challenge to support effective decision-making and financial sustainability across Education Services.

The role also includes supporting and overseeing a small team of Finance Business Partners to ensure the delivery of a resilient, customer-focused finance service.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead financial planning, forecasting and budget monitoring across Education Services
  • Provide accurate and timely financial analysis, reporting and insight to support strategic and operational decision-making
  • Support budget holders and senior stakeholders with financial management, compliance and governance requirements
  • Develop strong working relationships with service managers, providing proactive financial advice and constructive challenge
  • Identify financial risks, pressures and opportunities, supporting mitigation plans and cost-saving initiatives
  • Support the development and delivery of financial strategies and medium-term financial planning
  • Prepare and present financial reports to senior leadership and key stakeholders
  • Contribute to financial projects, service reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Ensure compliance with public sector financial regulations, reporting standards and internal controls
  • Support and mentor Finance Business Partners within the wider finance team

Areas of Financial Responsibility

  • Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budgets
  • Home-to-school transport budgets
  • Statutory education services
  • Traded education services
  • Financial forecasting and variance analysis
  • Budget development and monitoring
  • Financial risk management

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Strong understanding of financial management principles, budgeting and forecasting
  • Experience providing strategic financial advice and business partnering support
  • Proven experience in financial analysis, financial planning and reporting
  • Experience identifying and managing financial risks and budget pressures
  • Knowledge of public sector finance, governance and procurement regulations
  • Experience working with financial systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
  • Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Experience supervising or supporting finance staff and contributing to senior management discussions
  • Demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive service delivery
  • Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, MAAT) OR qualified by experience / actively studying

Desirable Experience

  • Experience within local government or public sector finance
  • Education or Children’s Services finance experience
  • Knowledge of DSG and SEND-related funding pressures
  • Experience leading financial projects and service improvement initiatives
  • Degree in Finance, Accounting or related discipline
  • Ability to influence change and support organisational transformation
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be:

  • A confident and collaborative finance professional
  • Comfortable working with senior stakeholders and operational managers
  • Able to influence decision-making through strong financial insight
  • Proactive, organised and solution-focused
  • Capable of managing competing priorities within a fast-paced environment
  • Commercially aware while understanding public sector priorities and constraints

Typical Backgrounds Suitable for This Role

  • Senior Finance Business Partner
  • Strategic Finance Manager
  • Finance Manager – Education or Children’s Services
  • Senior Management Accountant
  • FP&A Manager with public sector exposure
  • Local Government Finance Professional