Finance Business Partner - Planning & Reporting

UWE, Bristol; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent university in the UK is seeking a Finance Business Partner – Planning & Reporting to manage key financial operations. The ideal candidate will hold a professional accounting qualification and possess strong analytical skills, alongside excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Responsibilities include direct line management, coordination of management accounting services, and preparation of financial reports. The position offers competitive salary and benefits and is primarily located at the Frenchay Campus with remote work options.

Benefits

Wide range of employee benefits

Onsite nursery

Opportunities for training and personal development

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification and some post-qualification experience.
• Strong analytical skills to translate complex financial data into insights.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Assistant Finance Business Partner.
• Coordinate monthly management accounting services and forecasting.
• Prepare year-end financial results and interact with auditors.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Excel

Power BI

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

Job description

As a Finance Business Partner – Planning & Reporting, you will play a pivotal role managing the key financial operations for the University. Reporting directly to the Assistant Director, you will work closely with key stakeholders to prepare key financial reports and future plans.

Key responsibilities include

• Direct line management of an Assistant Finance Business Partner - Planning & Reporting
• Lead and co‑ordinate University monthly management accounting services and associated forecasting
• Lead and co‑ordinate the preparation of the rolling 3‑year student number planning process to feed into the financial budgets as well as in‑year analysis and reporting for the monthly management accounts
• Preparation of the year‑end financial results, interaction with external auditors and collation of the Annual Report including financial statements
• Lead on continuous improvement initiatives for the Finance team

About you

We are seeking an ambitious and accomplished Finance Business Partner with a passion for collaboration and strategic impact. You will bring:

• A professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, ACA) and some post‑qualification experience
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of building successful stakeholder relationships
• Excellent IT skills – particularly Excel and some experience of Power BI and handling large data sets

Where is this role based?

This post is based at our lively Frenchay campus

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are currently under‑represented in this area of the organisation, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please contact Claire Hargreaves by email: [e-mail]

The interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay Campus w/c 26th January 2026

This is a full-time, permanent post working 37 hours per week.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

This role is campus based for at least 3 days per week, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.

Right to Work in the UK

The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

We may be able to sponsor qualifying candidates for this role under the Home Office Skilled Worker visa route. Please read our Skilled Worker Guidance to assess if you will be eligible.

Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.

Advice to applicants

Tell us about how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role by describing how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description, and include specific examples wherever possible.

£51,753 to £58,225 : Grade Hb 51753