Senior Finance Business Partner

Peterborough City Council; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Peterborough City Council is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to provide expert financial advice to senior leaders and budget holders. You will lead financial management for a designated service area, develop models, analyse trends, assess risks and present options for decision-making.

Working across the organisation, you will oversee budget setting, monitoring, capital programmes and year-end accounts, maintain robust controls, and support continuous improvement while developing

Qualifications

• CCAB professional accounting qualification and membership.
• Recent experience in a public service finance environment.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, financial control, accounting policies and the regulatory environment in which local authorities operate.
• Can analyse complex financial information, identify key issues and translate the findings into clear, practical advice.
• Experience of budget setting and monitoring within a large and complex organisation.
• Can communicate complex financial matters confidently and clearly to a range of audiences.
• Builds strong and productive relationships while remaining able to provide independent advice and constructive challenge.
• Demonstrates effective leadership, with experience of managing and developing staff.
• Can manage competing priorities, work to demanding deadlines and maintain high professional standards.
• Brings strong interpersonal, presentation, negotiation, facilitation and problem-solving skills.
• Is committed to continuous improvement, excellent customer service and ongoing professional development

Responsibilities

• Lead financial management support for a designated service area, translating complex financial information into clear and meaningful advice.
• Develop financial models, analyse trends, assess risks and provide options to inform business decisions and future planning.
• Oversee budget setting, budget monitoring, capital programme management and year-end accounts.
• Maintain robust financial controls and ensure deadlines are met.
• Collaborate across the organisation to develop integrated financial strategies and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify emerging financial pressures and changes in legislation affecting service delivery and planning.
• Coach and develop colleagues, deputise for the Head of Finance when required and contribute to senior management discussions.

Skills

CCAB qualification

Public sector finance experience

Budgeting

Financial controls

Communication skills

Leadership / people management

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Prioritisation / meeting deadlines

Education

CCAB qualification or equivalent

Job description

All about the Role

As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you will play a key role in supporting strategic decision-making across the Council. Working closely with senior leaders, elected members and budget holders, you will provide expert financial advice, challenge and insight to help shape services, manage resources effectively and deliver value for money.

You will lead the financial management support for a designated service area, translating complex financial information into clear and meaningful advice. This will include developing financial models, analysing trends, assessing risks and opportunities, and providing options to inform business decisions and future planning.

A significant part of the role involves overseeing core elements of the Council's financial cycle, including budget setting, budget monitoring, capital programme management and year-end accounts. You will ensure robust financial controls are maintained, deadlines are met and professional standards are upheld.

Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will help develop integrated financial strategies, drive continuous improvement and enhance financial processes, systems and reporting. You will also identify emerging financial pressures, changes in legislation, demographic trends and other factors that may impact service delivery and long-term financial planning.

As a senior member of the finance team, you will support, coach and develop colleagues, helping to maintain a high-performing, customer-focused service. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to wider corporate objectives, deputising for the Head of Finance when required and playing an active role in senior management discussions.

All about our Team

Following significant recent investment in our Finance Team, we're continuing to strengthen our capacity and are looking for talented, ambitious individuals who want to make a real difference.

This is an exciting time to join the Council. Finance sits at the heart of some of the most important challenges and opportunities facing the organisation. From enabling major transformation programmes and service redesign, to supporting ambitious capital projects and helping deliver the Rebuilding Local Audit Assurance Programme, our team plays a critical role in shaping the future of the city.

Every day, you'll work alongside colleagues, services and partners to support key decisions that have a direct impact on residents, communities and businesses across Peterborough. You'll help ensure resources are used effectively, support the delivery of better outcomes for local people and contribute to improving the Council's long-term financial sustainability.

We are on a journey of improvement, and while there is still much to achieve, the progress being made is real, visible and already having a positive impact. This progress has recently been recognised by CIPFA through its Financial Assurance Review, providing independent confirmation that we are moving in the right direction and building strong foundations for the future.

Most importantly, you'll be joining a supportive, friendly and collaborative team that is committed to helping each other succeed. We are passionate about developing our people, encouraging new ideas and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. With us you'll find opportunities to develop your career, broaden your experience and contribute to meaningful work.

If you are looking for a role where your work matters, your contribution is valued and you can help shape the future of Peterborough, we'd love to hear from you.

All about You

• A CCAB professional accounting qualification and membership.
• Has recent experience of working in a public service finance environment.
• Has strong knowledge of budgeting, financial control, accounting policies and the regulatory environment in which local authorities operate.
• Can analyse complex financial information, identify key issues and translate the findings into clear, practical advice.
• Has experience of budget setting and monitoring within a large and complex organisation.
• Can communicate complex financial matters confidently and clearly to a range of audiences.
• Builds strong and productive relationships while remaining able to provide independent advice and constructive challenge.
• Demonstrates effective leadership, with experience of managing and developing staff.
• Can manage competing priorities, work to demanding deadlines and maintain high professional standards.
• Brings strong interpersonal, presentation, negotiation, facilitation and problem-solving skills.
• Is committed to continuous improvement, excellent customer service and ongoing professional development

Our Commitments

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success.

We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are a person who has or considers yourself to have a disability and you require reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.