Head of Finance Business Partnering

Head of Finance Business Partnering

Location: South East England (Hybrid Working)

Salary: £69,083 - £75,442, with scope for exceptional candidates up to £89,483

Closing Date: Sunday 28 June, 23:59

The Opportunity

A high-profile local authority in the South East is seeking an exceptional finance leader to join its senior finance team as Head of Finance Business Partnering.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Section 151 Officer, this is a career-defining opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of a large and complex organisation during a period of significant transformation and change.

You will lead the business partnering function, strengthen financial management across the organisation and ensure finance continues to play a central role in supporting strategic decision-making, organisational improvement and long-term financial sustainability.

With increasing demand pressures, an ambitious transformation programme and a strong focus on delivering value for residents, this role sits at the heart of corporate decision-making and offers genuine influence across the organisation.

The Role

Reporting to the Deputy Section 151 Officer, you will lead all aspects of budget setting, management accounting and business partnering across the organisation.

You will ensure finance is embedded within decision-making, providing robust challenge, commercial insight and strategic financial advice to support service delivery, transformation and investment decisions.

Leading a team of Finance Business Partners, you will work closely with Corporate Directors, Heads of Service, Members and senior stakeholders to strengthen forecasting, improve financial accountability and support effective decision-making across both revenue and capital programmes.

You will also play a key role in shaping the Medium-Term Financial Plan and ensuring financial sustainability remains at the forefront of organisational planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the annual budget setting process and ongoing financial planning.
• Providing strategic financial leadership and challenge across revenue and capital budgets.
• Developing and embedding a high-performing business partnering culture.
• Supporting the development and delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.
• Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders on financial strategy, transformation and investment decisions.
• Leading management accounting and financial performance reporting.
• Supporting the development of robust business cases and options appraisals.
• Building financial capability and accountability throughout the organisation.
• Developing and mentoring a talented finance team, including aspiring future finance leaders.

About You

We are seeking a CCAB-qualified finance professional with a strong track record of financial leadership within a complex organisation.

You will be a visible and credible leader, comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, with the ability to influence, challenge and build effective relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.

You will bring:

• Significant experience of budget setting, financial planning and management accounting.
• Strong business partnering experience and the ability to influence non-financial stakeholders.
• Experience of supporting organisational transformation and financial improvement.
• The ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insight for senior leaders and elected members or boards.
• Experience of leading, developing and motivating finance professionals.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• The resilience, adaptability and judgement required to succeed within a fast-paced environment.

Experience within local government or the wider public sector would be advantageous, although applications are welcomed from candidates with transferable experience from similarly complex organisations.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious organisation committed to continuous improvement, transformation and long-term financial sustainability.

Finance is recognised as a strategic partner and plays a central role in shaping priorities, driving change and supporting better outcomes. At a time of significant challenge and opportunity across the public sector, this role offers the chance to make a visible and lasting impact while further developing your own leadership career.

Closing Date: Sunday 28 June, 23:59

For a confidential discussion and further information, please contact Allen Lane.