Senior Finance Business Partner

Nottingham City Council; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Nottingham City Council is seeking a Senior Business Partner at career grade levels I to III to provide strategic financial oversight, advise senior leaders, and drive financial planning and reporting across multiple service areas. The role supports the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and budget monitoring with a clear pathway for progression within the finance function.

The roles are hybrid with options across business partnering teams, reporting to the Strategic Finance Business Partner, and a

Qualifications

• Experience as a finance professional
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Knowledge of Medium-Term Financial Strategy and public sector budgeting

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial oversight over departmental budgets and support the delivery of Medium-Term Financial Strategy proposals
• Advise senior leaders on financial and accounting matters to influence decision-making
• Lead and develop finance partners and technicians to deliver high-quality financial services

Skills

Budget monitoring

Financial planning

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder engagement

Financial reporting

Job description

Job Description

Senior Business Partner (Career Grade I-III)

Influence at the highest level. Impact at the frontline. Build your career with us.

Nottingham / Hybrid

Career grade: Level I - Grade I (£47,665 - £50,908) | Level II - Grade J (£53,051- £56,293) | Level III - Grade K (£58,602 - £62,109)

Finance & Resources Directorate

Reports to: Strategic Finance Business Partner

Multiple opportunities across our business partnering teams.

At Nottingham City Council, finance isn't just about numbers - it's about making decisions that shape services, support communities, and deliver real change for 331,077 residents. Our Business Partners are the face of finance for the entire council - not an afterthought or a "nice to have," but trusted partners working side-by-side with operational leaders.

This is a role for an experienced finance professional who understands that great business partnering moves beyond monthly reporting and reactive number-crunching. It's about shaping strategy, influencing outcomes, and driving change. As a Senior Business Partner, you'll be part strategist, part confidant, and part change agent - translating financial data into operational insight, and operational reality into financial planning.

We have multiple vacancies across different business partnering teams. These are career-graded posts, with three levels of increasing complexity and strategic responsibility. This structure is designed to provide Senior Business Partners with genuine career progression and a clear pathway to becoming a Strategic Business Partner.

When you apply, you'll indicate which level you are applying for - Level I, Level II or Level III.

About the Career Grade

• Level I - You'll provide financial support and advice to a service area, supporting budget monitoring, financial planning and reporting, with oversight from a Strategic Finance Business Partner.
• Level II - You'll take on greater responsibility for developing options and plans to resolve emerging pressures, support the development of longer-term financial strategies, and deputise for a Strategic Finance Business Partner as required.
• Level III - You'll provide senior financial leadership and strategic advice to directors and senior stakeholders, establish longer-term council-wide financial positions, and lead service reviews and financial analysis to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and value for money.

This isn't just a job - it's a career-defining opportunity. You'll have the autonomy to shape your role, the support to develop your skills, and the satisfaction of knowing that your work directly improves the lives of Nottingham's residents. You'll be part of a professional community, with clear progression pathways, access to technical experts, and the backing of a finance function that understands the value you bring.

About the Role

As a Senior Business Partner, you'll provide strategic financial oversight over departmental budgets and support the development and delivery of Medium-Term Financial Strategy proposals, including revenue and capital monitoring and financial planning.

You'll provide expert financial and accounting advice to senior leaders, guiding strategic decision-making and the long-term financial sustainability of services. The roles have oversight over director and head of service level budgets.

You'll be a professional lead within your respective area of finance, providing expertise and high-quality financial services to senior stakeholders. You'll provide both strategic and operational financial leadership, delivering financial services directly and through the management and development of Business Partners, Senior Technicians and Technicians. You'll support the Strategic Business Partner within your area of finance to deliver financial advisory on behalf of the s151 officer, ensuring robust financial governance and stewardship of public funds.

The reality of the role: Nottingham has set a balanced budget for 2026/27