Finance Business Partner

RSPB; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation charity in the UK is looking for a Finance Business Partner to support critical areas of the organization. Key responsibilities include providing financial support, building relationships with senior managers, and evaluating complex financial information. The ideal candidate will hold a CIMA qualification and possess strong analytical skills. This role offers a hybrid working environment based in Sandy, Bedfordshire, with travel across the UK.

Benefits

Pension Scheme

Life Assurance Scheme

26 Days Annual Leave

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with up-to-date technical knowledge.
• Experience in financial planning and reporting.
• Ability to influence decision-makers through sound logic.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial support to two key directorates.
• Build strong relationships with senior management.
• Evaluate complex financial information.

Skills

Critical thinking

Financial analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Effective communication

Budget management

Education

CIMA or equivalent qualification

Job description

Finance Business Partner
Reference: JUL
Location: RSPB UKHQ - The Lodge, Sandy SG19 - Hybrid + Travel
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £47,313.00 - £50,309.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 Days Annual Leave

The RSPB is one of the UK s most respected conservation charities for the conservation of birds and nature. As an RSPB employee, you will be helping to save nature every time you come to work. There s never been a more important time toprotect our wildlife and wild places.

We are looking for two qualified accountants to join our Financial Planning and Reporting team, as Finance Business Partners, supporting two key areas of the organisation: one will be supporting our Income and Conservation Investment Directorate; and the other supporting colleagues in the UK Countries Directorate more specifically for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Both are key roles within the team working in income generation, and direct conservation areas, both with complex and individual characteristics and skills requirements.

As a Finance Business Partner you will work proactively with senior colleagues to provide an added-value service of financial support to our Directorates. In addition to a strong management accounting background, you will understand the difference that can be made through strong business partnering relationships and be confident in building those relationships. You will gain the respect and confidence of the colleagues you support through strong communication skills (written and oral) and your ability to constructively challenge ideas and plans. You will add value through gaining an intimate understanding of the Directorate that you partner, together with contributing to business performance and the requirements of the finance function with the charity's need.

You will be a fully qualified accountant with up-to-date technical knowledge and a desire to progress in your profession. We will want the successful candidate to influence change and use their skill set to further drive the organisation's objectives forward. You will also be comfortable working under pressure, to tight deadlines, and interacting with people at all levels within the RSPB.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• CIMA or equivalent qualification
• Sound knowledge of technical accounting legislation
• Ability to act as a critical-friend to senior management balancing challenge and support. Develop effective working relationships that influence and challenge senior management teams, so that the role of the Finance Business Partner is an integral and valued part of the organisation
• Ability to influence decision makers through sound logic, diplomacy and assertiveness.
• Ability to evaluate incomplete and complex financial information, to develop and consider a range of possible options and make a judgement as to the recommended course of action
• Ability to convey appropriate financial messages to various audiences
• Sound coaching, mentoring, presentation and training skills
• Ability to ascertain financial trends and calculate the impact of them on the organisation under various scenarios
• Working in cross-functional teams to provide transformational advice on new initiatives, investment appraisals/organisational restructures/matters of risk and control in order to support effective decision making
• Build capability and knowledge in managers so that they can effectively manage their budgets through effective financial information, support and advice
• Identify financial risks and work in collaboration with managers to design effective mitigation strategies
• Identify, research, design, gain approval and successfully implement new Finance initiatives and ideas for change based on business analytics and expert knowledge of client areas
• Work with the Finance Management Team and contribute to the development of the wider Finance Department Strategy to make the service best in class
• Working with the all finance teams, ensuring the highest level of customer service and procedures are continuously reviewed so that the service is business focused in the delivery of objectives

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of forecasting and planning in a dynamic environment
• Experience of delivering transformation change
• Delivery of coaching and training of financial matters to non financial colleagues
• Experience of annual accounts preparation
• Knowledge of charity finance matters

Please note: The role is a hybrid position that will require travel in the UK including to the UKHQ Finance Department in Sandy, Bedfordshire, and to attend meetings in the support of your directorate.

Closing date: 23:59, Monday 4th August 2025
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying.
Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form with cover letter. Please use the cover letter section to explain how you meet the criteria set above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.