Finance Business Partner

Venture Recruitment Partners; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Venture Recruitment Partners is seeking an experienced Finance Business Partner to support complex, high-value defence projects in Southampton. You will lead P&L, forecasting, and reporting, partnering with operational leaders to deliver financial insight and challenge.

You will influence senior stakeholders, drive budgeting and cash flow planning, and ensure governance and compliance while providing robust financial modelling and analysis to inform strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Experience in a Finance Business Partner role supporting projects or programmes.
• Very strong commercial acumen with excellent analytical and financial modelling skills.
• Able to influence and challenge senior stakeholders confidently.
• Experience working within complex, fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information to both finance and non-finance audiences.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of project financial performance, including P&L management and delivery of accurate, timely reporting.
• Translate financial data into meaningful insights to support operational and commercial decision-making.
• Partner with project leaders and key stakeholders to provide financial guidance and challenge.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning activities, ensuring alignment with wider business objectives.
• Monitor KPIs and project performance metrics, identifying risks and opportunities at an early stage.
• Support business cases, investment decisions, contract changes, and commercial negotiations.
• Ensure strong financial controls, governance, and compliance with internal policies and reporting standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to long-term financial planning.

Skills

Financial Modelling

Commercial Acumen

Stakeholder Influence

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Forecasting

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

Finance Business Partner

Location: Southampton (Hybrid/Flexible Working)

Salary: Circa £80,000

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced Finance Business Partner to play a key role in the financial management and commercial success of complex, high-value defence projects. This is a highly visible position, partnering with operational and project leadership teams to provide financial insight, challenge, and strategic support across a project portfolio.

The successful candidate will act as the financial lead for project performance, ensuring robust forecasting, reporting, governance, and commercial decision-making while influencing senior stakeholders across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of project financial performance, including P&L management and delivery of accurate, timely reporting.
• Translate financial data into meaningful insights to support operational and commercial decision-making.
• Partner with project leaders and key stakeholders to provide financial guidance and challenge.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning activities, ensuring alignment with wider business objectives.
• Monitor KPIs and project performance metrics, identifying risks and opportunities at an early stage.
• Support business cases, investment decisions, contract changes, and commercial negotiations.
• Ensure strong financial controls, governance, and compliance with internal policies and reporting standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to long-term financial planning.

About You

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience in a Finance Business Partner role supporting projects or programmes within the defence sector
• Very strong commercial acumen with excellent analytical and financial modelling skills.
• Able to influence and challenge senior stakeholders confidently.
• Experienced working within complex, fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information to both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Proactive, resilient, and solutions-focused with strong attention to detail.

What's on Offer

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing and innovative organisation where you will have genuine influence on business performance and strategic decision-making. The role offers a competitive salary and significant scope for career development.