Finance Business Partner (ASC)

MLC Partners; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Luton is seeking a qualified Finance Business Partner to drive financial strategy for Adult Social Care. You will provide strategic advice, manage significant budgets, and influence decisions that improve service delivery. The role requires strong leadership skills and experience in business planning. This position offers hybrid working options, a generous pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Hybrid working options

Generous local government pension

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Strong experience in business partnering and financial planning.
• Ability to think strategically and communicate clearly.
• Experience in managing complex budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial advice to management.
• Lead budget management and governance.
• Drive performance and identify opportunities for efficiency.

Skills

Business partnering

Financial planning

Strategic analysis

Budget management

Leadership

Education

Qualified accountant (CCAB / CIMA)

Job description

Finance Business Partner
Adult Social Care

Salary: Up to £77,800

Location: Luton Borough Council

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

Why Join Luton

As a dynamic authority at the heart of a thriving and diverse borough, Luton Council is driving forward ambitious regeneration plans, delivering vital public services, and making a measurable difference to the lives of its residents. Few places can offer the same blend of scale, community impact, and opportunity for leaders across finance, HR, transformation, and other key corporate functions. Joining Luton means contributing to a clear and compelling vision for a town where everyone can thrive and being part of an organisation that truly puts people and place at its heart.

A distinctive part of that story is London Luton Airport, one of the UK’s busiest airports and a critical economic engine for the town. Uniquely, the airport is wholly owned by the council, generating significant revenue that is reinvested back into local services, regeneration projects, and community wellbeing. It symbolises Luton’s ambition and financial resilience, providing employees with the rare opportunity to work for an authority that not only delivers for residents but also benefits from and shapes a major national asset.

At Luton Council, colleagues are supported to develop, grow, and achieve their ambitions. The organisation promotes a flexible and inclusive culture, with hybrid working options, generous leave, and strong wellbeing support. There’s a clear commitment to professional development through training, mentoring, and opportunities to lead high-profile projects that deliver visible change. Staff are empowered to innovate, collaborate, and lead, knowing their contribution makes a real difference both locally and nationally.

About the Role

As a Finance Business Partner, you will act as the strategic finance lead for Adult Social Care, partnering closely with Corporate and Service Directors to guide financial strategy, planning, and performance.

You’ll play a key role in enabling the service to meet growing demand while maintaining financial sustainability — ensuring every pound is used effectively to improve outcomes for residents. As a trusted adviser and core member of the management team, you’ll bring insight, challenge, and solutions that help shape future-facing services in a financially constrained environment.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial advice and insight to the Adult Social Care management team, supporting the development of innovative service models and sustainable delivery plans.
• Lead on budget management and governance for significant revenue and capital budgets, ensuring compliance with corporate policy, legislation, and accounting standards.
• Drive performance and efficiency, developing business cases, assessing financial models, and identifying opportunities to deliver better value for money.
• Support transformation and change, advising on the financial implications of commissioning, service redesign, and partnership initiatives.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, ensuring a professional, responsive, and customer-focused service.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders, including Members, partners, and auditors, providing clear, evidence-based advice to support decision-making.
• Contribute to corporate financial planning, the Medium-Term Financial Plan, and the wider strategic direction of the Council’s finance service.

About you

You’ll be a qualified accountant (CCAB / CIMA) with strong experience in business partnering, financial planning, and strategic analysis. Whether your background is in local government, health, or the commercial sector, you’ll bring the ability to think strategically, communicate clearly, and lead effectively in a complex and evolving environment.

You’ll be adept at translating financial information into actionable insight — able to influence senior leaders and support decisions that balance service excellence with financial resilience.

Essential experience includes :

• Managing and monitoring large, complex budgets.
• Providing strategic financial advice at a senior level.
• Leading, motivating, and developing finance professionals.
• Preparing and evaluating business cases and financial models.
• Working collaboratively with operational and senior management teams.

Desirable experience :

• Working within Adult Social Care or related public sector services.
• Experience of partnership working, commissioning, or integrated care models.

A Great Career Move

At Luton, they’re transforming how they deliver public services, focused on innovation, collaboration, and improving lives. As part of their finance leadership team, you’ll be at the heart of that transformation, shaping strategy, building financial resilience, and supporting key projects such as housing, regeneration, and infrastructure.

You’ll enjoy

• A culture that values inclusion, learning, and wellbeing.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Access to generous local government pension and annual leave schemes.
• Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth.

To discuss this opportunity in more detail, please reach out to Thomas Porter on 07951795790, or email [e-mail]