Senior Business Partner

Civic Recruitment Limited; Rugby; Hybrid; GBP 20,295,000 - 24,908,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bi-weekly pay

On-site first 2 weeks

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting a seasoned Finance Business Partner to work with Rugby Borough Council on a 6-month contract. The role focuses on detailed financial analysis, forecasting, and strategic financial guidance across multiple services.

The ideal candidate will have substantial district/council experience, superb stakeholder engagement, and the ability to lead budgeting and MTFS initiatives within a local government context.

Qualifications

• Fully Qualified Accountant with district/borough council experience preferred.
• Extensive experience in Finance Business Partnering.
• Experience in forecasting, budgeting and financial modelling.
• Ability to present to senior leadership and translate data into insights.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Service Directors and Managers to understand service delivery and financial performance.
• Develop and implement robust forecasting models and budget-setting processes.
• Identify financial risks, overspends and opportunities; propose corrective actions.
• Provide expert financial advice to facilitate informed decision‑making and drive improvements.
• Lead complete budget setting for designated service areas and contribute to MTFS.

Skills

Finance Partnering

Forecasting

Budgeting

Financial modeling

Education

Fully Qualified Accountant (CCAB/CIPFA/ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That's why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

Finance Business Partner - 6 Month Contract

Location: Rugby Borough Council, Rugby

Rate: £451.53 per day (Umbrella) (Flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

Contract: 6 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid

• First 2 weeks: Approximately 4 days per week on-site in Rugby to gain service insights and establish key stakeholder relationships.
• Thereafter: 2-3 days per week on-site, subject to business needs.

Summary

Rugby Borough Council is on the lookout for a seasoned and proactive Finance Business Partner to contribute to a significant financial improvement and transformation initiative. This role transcends traditional finance reporting, requiring collaboration with Service Directors, Managers, the Deputy S151 Officer, and the Senior Leadership Team. The aim is to deeply understand service operations, pinpoint financial challenges and opportunities, and spearhead impactful improvements. The ideal candidate will be adept at questioning assumptions, dissecting complex financial issues, constructing reliable forecasting models, identifying savings, and providing strategic financial guidance across their portfolio. This position offers a unique chance for a finance professional to delve into details, influence decision makers, and make a substantial impact within a Local Authority setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Service Directors and Managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of service delivery and financial performance.
• Investigate and resolve intricate financial issues.
• Offer expert financial advice and challenge to facilitate informed decision‑making.
• Develop and implement robust forecasting models.
• Identify financial risks, pressures, overspends, and opportunities.
• Work proactively with services to address budget variances and implement corrective measures.
• Identify and cultivate savings opportunities.
• Assist services in calculating savings proposals and understanding their implications.
• Lead complete budget-setting exercises for designated service areas.
• Contribute to the development of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).
• Prepare and present financial reports to:
  • Deputy S151 Officer
  • S151 Officer
  • Senior Leadership Team
  • Directorate Management Teams
• Deliver monthly and quarterly budget monitoring reports.
• Complete Delta returns and other statutory or corporate financial submissions.
• Support organisational transformation and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) initiatives.
• Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging risks, opportunities, legislative changes, and service impacts.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance financial understanding and capability.
• Train, coach, and guide managers to improve financial ownership and accountability.

Requirements

• Fully Qualified Accountant (CCAB, CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in Finance Business Partnering.
• Recent and significant experience within District and/or Borough Councils.
• Experience in supporting and challenging senior stakeholders.
• Experience in full budget builds and financial planning exercises.
• Strong skills in forecasting, budget monitoring, and financial modeling.
• Proven ability to identify and resolve complex financial issues.
• Experience in delivering financial improvement and transformation initiatives.
• Ability to interpret financial data and translate it into actionable business insights.
• Experience in presenting financial information to senior leadership teams.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage complex workstreams.
• Experience in supporting Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
• Experience contributing to Medium-Term Financial Strategies.
• Experience in politically sensitive public sector environments.
• Knowledge of Local Government finance regulations and reporting requirements.

What's on Offer?

• 6 Month Contract
• Hybrid Working
• 2-3 Days Per Week On-Site Following Initial On-boarding Period
• Bi-weekly Pay
• Opportunity to influence strategic decision‑making.
• Highly visible role working directly with senior leadership.
• Involvement in transformation, financial improvement, and LGR preparations.
• Opportunity to make a genuine impact across multiple Council services.

Ideal for candidates with experience as a Finance Business Partner, Senior Finance Business Partner, Principal Accountant, Finance Manager, Strategic Finance Manager, Corporate Accountant, Finance Lead, Management Accountant, or Local Government Finance Consultant.