Finance Business Partner (Adults)

Sandwell Council; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Competitive remuneration package

Job summary

Sandwell Council is seeking a Finance Business Partner (Adults) to lead financial planning and strategic advisory across Adult Social Care and Public Health. Based from Oldbury, you’ll support Directors and managers, helping to shape budgets, forecast demand and secure value for money.

A hybrid role combines three days in the office with two days at home. The ideal candidate is CCAB-qualified with a track record in public sector finance, strong stakeholder skills, and a commitment to continuous

Qualifications

• CCAB-qualified accountant with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in finance business partnering or financial management in local government or public sector.
• Experience providing strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of financial planning, budget management, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting complex budgets and identifying solutions to financial challenges.
• Proven ability to develop financial models, business cases and options appraisals.
• Experience of managing, developing and motivating individuals or teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate it clearly.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to challenge constructively.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to demanding deadlines.
• Proficient in financial systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• A collaborative and innovative approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement and delivering value for money.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted adviser to senior managers and budget holders, providing strategic financial advice, challenge and support.
• Lead financial planning, budget setting, forecasting and monitoring across Adult Social Care & Public Health services.
• Support complex, demand-led service areas including Older People, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Physical Disabilities, Supported Living and Commissioning services.
• Deliver financial analysis, modelling and insight to support strategic decision-making and service improvement.
• Identify financial risks, opportunities and emerging pressures through the analysis of demographic, activity and market trends.
• Support the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, savings programmes and transformation initiatives.
• Lead on business cases, options appraisals and investment proposals, ensuring financial implications are clearly understood.
• Present clear and insightful financial information to senior leadership teams, elected members and other stakeholders.
• Support integrated working with commissioning teams, NHS partners and external organisations, including the Better Care Fund.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, governance requirements, year-end processes and audit activities.
• Lead, develop and motivate Finance colleagues, ensuring the delivery of high-quality financial support across services.
• Contribute to the Council's wider change and transformation agenda through innovative and creative financial solutions.

Skills

CCAB-qualified

Finance partnering

Stakeholder management

Financial planning

Budgeting

Forecasting

Excel

Education

Qualified accountant (CCAB)

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Finance software

Job description

Job Title: Finance Business Partner (Adults)

Grade/Salary: Band I, SCP 44-47 (£57,444 - £60,973 per annum)

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Working Pattern: 37 Hours, Monday - Friday

Location: Sandwell Council House, Freeth St Oldbury B69 3DE

Closing Date: 30/09/2026

Sandwell Council's Finance Division is seeking a Finance Business Partner to join its team on a full-time, permanent basis, to be based from its Oldbury office. The organisation works to a hybrid working model of 3 days in the office and 2 days from home.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial support and challenge across Adult Social Care & Public Health services. Working closely with Directors, Heads of Service, Commissioners and operational managers, you will play a key role in supporting financial sustainability, service transformation and informed decision-making across some of the Council's largest and most complex budgets.

This is an influential role for a qualified finance professional who can combine strong technical expertise with excellent stakeholder management skills. You will lead on financial planning, forecasting and business partnering activities, providing insight and challenge that supports the delivery of high-quality services, value for money and the achievement of the Council's strategic priorities.

About the Role

• Act as a trusted adviser to senior managers and budget holders, providing strategic financial advice, challenge and support.
• Lead financial planning, budget setting, forecasting and monitoring across Adult Social Care & Public Health services.
• Support complex, demand-led service areas including Older People, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Physical Disabilities, Supported Living and Commissioning services.
• Deliver financial analysis, modelling and insight to support strategic decision-making and service improvement.
• Identify financial risks, opportunities and emerging pressures through the analysis of demographic, activity and market trends.
• Support the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, savings programmes and transformation initiatives.
• Lead on business cases, options appraisals and investment proposals, ensuring financial implications are clearly understood.
• Present clear and insightful financial information to senior leadership teams, elected members and other stakeholders.
• Support integrated working with commissioning teams, NHS partners and external organisations, including the Better Care Fund.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, governance requirements, year-end processes and audit activities.
• Lead, develop and motivate Finance colleagues, ensuring the delivery of high-quality financial support across services.
• Contribute to the Council's wider change and transformation agenda through innovative and creative financial solutions.

About You

• CCAB-qualified accountant with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Significant experience in a finance business partnering or financial management role, ideally within local government or the public sector.
• Experience of providing strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of financial planning, budget management, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Experience of supporting complex budgets and identifying solutions to financial challenges.
• Proven ability to develop financial models, business cases and options appraisals.
• Experience of managing, developing and motivating individuals or teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate it clearly.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to challenge constructively.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to demanding deadlines.
• Proficient in financial systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• A collaborative and innovative approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement and delivering value for money.

Why Sandwell Council?

At Sandwell Council, our work has a real impact. We are proud to be a values-led organisation that supports its employees with excellent benefits, a competitive remuneration package, and a strong focus on development. By joining us, you'll play a key role in delivering services that make a real and lasting difference to thousands of people across the borough.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a high number of applications be received. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

If you are an internal candidate and currently at risk, please let the recruiting manager know.

We place equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of who we are and how we lead, where every voice matters. At Sandwell, we recognise and value the richness that comes from diverse lived experiences, perspectives, backgrounds and identities. This diversity makes us a stronger and more effective council.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, are treated fairly, and have the opportunity to thrive. Creating an environment where colleagues feel respected, supported and able to contribute fully is central to our culture and the way we work. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants and employees have equitable access to opportunities. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and within the workplace so that everyone has the support they need to perform at their best and succeed in their role.

If you have any questions relating to equality, diversity, and inclusion, please contact us.

If you wish to apply as Care Leaver or a Disability Confident candidate, please make sure to state this when submitting your CV.

If you have a disability and require assistance in submitting your CV, please contact us.