Lead Finance Business Partner

South Bank Colleges is a vibrant and inclusive place to work, where staff are united by a shared ambition to transform lives through education. Rated Good by Ofsted in 2025, inspectors praised the college's "strong culture of inclusion" and the way staff "foster an understanding of diversity" across all campuses. Adult learning was rated Outstanding, and learners spoke of the college as "an integral part of their journey in life." With a broad curriculum offer, expert tutors and deep links to the local community and employers, South Bank Colleges is a rewarding environment for education professionals to thrive.

We are seeking a confident and collaborative Lead Finance Business Partner with a strong background in financial planning, analysis, and business partnering. Your role will involve leading a team of finance professionals, supporting both academic and professional services units, and ensuring that financial processes run smoothly and efficiently across South Bank Colleges (SBC) and South Bank Academies (SBA).

Working as a Lead Finance Business Partner at South Bank Colleges is a rewarding opportunity to use your financial expertise to influence key decisions, mentor others, and shape best practices in financial management. You will play a central role in strategic planning, training budget holders, developing business cases, and enhancing the quality of financial insights delivered across the organisation.

Skills & Experience

The ideal candidate must have the following:

• Full membership of a professional accountancy body (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)
• A bachelor's degree (BA/BSc or equivalent)
• Significant experience in finance business partnering, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts to non-finance stakeholders
• Proven experience in developing business cases, producing detailed costings, and conducting financial modelling

This role is offered on a Permanent and Full time (36 hours a week) basis.

Closing Date: Thursday 1 st May 2025, at 11.59pm.

Interviews will take place on: TBC

We are an inclusive and welcoming college that is highly responsive in meeting the needs of our students. Equality, Diversity and inclusion are central to our values and behaviours, and we seek applicants who are fully committed to enhancing our work in this area.

If you feel this is the right opportunity for you and you have the right skills and experience, we look forward to receiving an application from you.

Safeguarding Statement

SBC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointment to this post will be subject to an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Recruitment Process

The email account you use to apply will be used for recruitment communication. Please ensure that you use an email account that you regularly monitor.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.