Senior Finance Business Partner

Manchester Arndale; Lewes; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A facilities management partnership is looking for a Senior Finance Business Partner in Lewes, UK. This role involves full ownership of financial operations and supporting strategic decisions. Responsibilities include leading forecasts, preparing budgets, and collaborating with operational teams. Applicants should be qualified in ACCA, ACA, CIMA, or CIPFA, with advanced Excel skills and strong leadership capabilities. This position offers great potential for career advancement within a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified/Part Qualified in ACCA, ACA, CIMA, or CIPFA.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel required.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment essential.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Partnership Director.
• Lead preparation of rolling forecasts and annual budgets.
• Produce monthly management accounts and conduct profitability analysis.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure accurate billing and payroll management.
• Oversee cost control projects and maintain financial integrity.

Skills

Right to Work in the UK

Qualified/Part Qualified ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA

Advanced Excel skills

Influential and motivational leadership capability

Good communication skills

High level of integrity

Ability to prioritise and use initiative

Ability to produce concise and informative reporting

Job description

About The Company

This recruitment campaign is being managed by OCS Group UK on behalf of Sussex Estates and Facilities LLP (SEF) - which is a partnership formed between OCS and the University of Sussex. SEF is the direct employer for this role and is responsible for delivering facilities management services across the University of Sussex estate.

OCS is proud to partner with the University of Sussex in this long-term collaboration. With a workforce of over 50,000 colleagues and a turnover exceeding £2 billion, OCS is a market leader in delivering innovative and award-winning services across facilities management, including hard services, cleaning, security, and catering. These strengths underpin our commitment to excellence in the SEF partnership.

Our shared mission is to enhance the University campus by ensuring it operates smoothly and efficiently, aligning with the University's values and commitment to sustainability. Together, we are dedicated to making the campus a better place for students, staff, and the broader community. The partnership is built on the core values of Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment, guiding how we work and deliver services.

Please note: The employing organization for this role will be Sussex Estates and Facilities LLP.

About The Role

Days of Working: Monday to Friday

As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you will play a pivotal role in driving financial performance and strategic decision-making across a high-value contract. This position offers full end‑to‑end ownership of financial operations, from cost control and forecasting to profitability and stakeholder engagement. You'll work closely with operational leaders to ensure financial integrity, deliver actionable insights, and support continuous improvement of business outcomes.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Partnership Director, taking full financial ownership of the contract and supporting strategic decision‑making through insightful financial guidance.
• Lead the preparation of rolling forecasts and annual budgets, ensuring alignment with business goals and presenting financial plans to senior management.
• Produce monthly management accounts, conduct profitability and KPI analysis, and deliver clear, actionable insights to improve contract performance.
• Collaborate with operational teams to ensure accurate billing, payroll, and working capital management, whilst driving process improvements.
• Oversee large cost control projects, ensure accurate accounting of income and debt, and maintain financial integrity across all contract‑related activities.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Must have Right to Work in the UK.
• Qualified/Part Qualified ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, ideally with some commercial experience.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Influential and motivational leadership capability.
• Experience of working in a fast‑paced environment and ability to prioritise a changing workload and use initiative.
• Good communication skills with the ability to present complex financial information to non‑financial individuals.
• High level of integrity with a commitment to embedding a strong governance culture.
• A hardworking individual with lots of energy, who can deliver high quality work to tight reporting deadlines and demonstrate a desire to progress within the company.
• Able to produce concise and informative reporting under tight deadlines.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining a business that encourages professional development, career progression and the chance to work with inspirational people then please click apply and register your interest! You can also sign up to our job alerts when registering which will notify you when other suitable vacancies are available.

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.