Senior Finance Business Partner

Ipsum; Haydock; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Group Personal Pension Plan

Career development & progression with…

24/7 access to a virtual GP and mental

Cycle to Work scheme

Discount club

Life assurance cover

Long service recognition

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Paid volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Ipsum in Haydock/Warrington is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to join our finance leadership in supporting the Water Division. You will deliver management information and commercial insight to guide strategic decision-making and business performance.

You will lead the finance team, drive working capital initiatives, and maintain robust financial controls while collaborating with MDs and senior leaders across the group.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Finance Business Partnering or similar commercially focused finance role.
• Strong understanding of management reporting, financial analysis, and business performance drivers.
• Experience of project accounting; utilities sector experience beneficial but not essential.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment with strong relationship-building.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the MD and senior leadership team to provide high-quality management information and commercial insight.
• Work closely with finance and commercial teams across the Group to ensure compliance with financial controls and processes.
• Lead working capital management, including cashflow forecasting, WIP reduction, billing improvements, and cash collection initiatives.
• Produce accurate financial reporting and maintain key tax control accounts.
• Review payroll processes prior to finance sign-off.
• Support divisional projects, including system implementations and business integration activities.
• Ensure robust financial controls, governance, and best-practice processes are maintained and continuously improved.
• Manage relationships with external auditors and support the annual audit process.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and development support to junior team members while maintaining accurate financial documentation and records.

Skills

Finance partnering

Management reporting

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA

Job description

Senior Finance Business Partner

Location: Haydock / Warrington

Employment type: Full Time

Working Hours: Monday to Friday

What’s in it for you

We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you're not just taking a job — you're starting a career with real support behind it.?

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 5 additional holidays
• Group Personal Pension Plan
• Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP? and Mental health support & counselling services?
• Cycle to Work scheme?
• Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more?!
• Life assurance cover?
• Long service recognition?
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
• Paid volunteering opportunities in your community?

About the role

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will be a trusted business partner to the Managing Director and senior leadership team, providing high-quality management information and commercial insight to support strategic decision-making and business performance across our Water Division. You will also lead and develop the finance team, creating a high-performance culture, building capability, and ensuring the team delivers exceptional support to the wider business.

• Partnering with the MD and senior leadership team to provide high-quality management information and commercial insight.
• Working closely with finance and commercial teams across the Group to ensure compliance with financial controls and processes.
• Leading working capital management, including cashflow forecasting, WIP reduction, billing improvements, and cash collection initiatives.
• Producing accurate financial reporting and maintaining key tax control accounts.
• Reviewing and overseeing payroll processes prior to finance sign-off.
• Supporting divisional projects, including system implementations and business integration activities.
• Ensuring robust financial controls, governance, and best-practice processes are maintained and continuously improved.
• Managing relationships with external auditors and supporting the annual audit process.
• Providing leadership, mentoring, and development support to junior team members while maintaining accurate financial documentation and records.

As a Senior Finance Business Partner you will

• Partnering with the MD and senior leadership team to provide high-quality management information and commercial insight.
• Working closely with finance and commercial teams across the Group to ensure compliance with financial controls and processes.
• Leading working capital management, including cashflow forecasting, WIP reduction, billing improvements, and cash collection initiatives.
• Producing accurate financial reporting and maintaining key tax control accounts.
• Reviewing and overseeing payroll processes prior to finance sign-off.
• Supporting divisional projects, including system implementations and business integration activities.
• Ensuring robust financial controls, governance, and best-practice processes are maintained and continuously improved.
• Managing relationships with external auditors and supporting the annual audit process.
• Providing leadership, mentoring, and development support to junior team members while maintaining accurate financial documentation and records.

About you

• Proven experience in a Finance Business Partnering or similar commercially focused finance role.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ACA).
• Strong understanding of management reporting, financial analysis, and business performance drivers.
• Experience of project accounting, with utilities sector experience beneficial but not essential.
• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Confident in challenging the status quo and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Resilient, adaptable, and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment while building strong relationships across the business.

You'll be a collaborative and driven individual who enjoys partnering with operational leaders, turning financial data into meaningful insight, and making a genuine impact on business performance. In return, you'll have the opportunity to shape decision-making, contribute to strategic growth, and develop your career within a supportive and ambitious organisation.

Our commitment to Equal Opportunities

We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

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