Senior Finance Business Partner

Datasource; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading defence and aerospace company is seeking a finance professional in the UK to drive forecasting processes and manage capital expenditure. The ideal candidate will have extensive finance experience in complex organisations, be CIMA, ACCA, or ACA part-qualified, and be proficient in SAP. The role supports hybrid working patterns and requires SC clearance.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in finance roles, ideally in large, complex organisations.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strategic business partnering relationships.
• Lead headcount, utilisation, and overhead forecasting.
• Drive transformation and standardisation of forecasting processes.

Skills

Experience working within a capex environment

Strong analytical skills

Proficiency in SAP

Excellent presentation abilities

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Knowledge of programme accounting

Education

CIMA, ACCA, ACA (or equivalent) part-qualified

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Introduction

Our client is a leading name in the defence and aerospace sector, recognised for driving technological innovation and excellence. They are deeply committed to developing their people, fostering collaboration, and nurturing professional growth. Joining this organisation means contributing to national security while developing your career in a culture that values integrity, teamwork, and innovation.

Working Patterns and location - Hybrid 50% onsite

Key responsibilities

• Build and maintain strategic business partnering relationships with senior leaders and complex operational functions.
• Lead headcount, utilisation, and overhead forecasting and reporting to support Integrated Business Planning (IBP), Long-Range Planning (LRP), Annual Operating Plans (AOP), and monthly cycles.
• Drive transformation and standardisation of forecasting and reporting processes across the business.
• Own functional financial and forecasts, focusing on performance improvement, cost optimisation, and delivery against targets.
• Prepare for and support monthly Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Rate Review Boards.
• Strengthen collaboration between business functions, embedding tactical workload forecasting into planning cycles.
• Develop functional dashboards, KPIs, SLAs, and service catalogues to drive performance and efficiency.
• Support manufacturing planning by connecting sales, production, and operations data to enhance business performance.
• Implement zero-based budgeting and strong financial governance practices.
• Contribute to risk and opportunity registers related to rates and investments.
• Support restructuring and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Contribute to the rollout of new finance systems and processes.
• Provide financial oversight of capital expenditure (Capex) projects, ensuring accurate forecasting, robust business cases, and effective tracking of spend versus plan.
• Work closely with project and operational teams to maximise return on investment and ensure strong governance across all Capex and change initiatives.

Skills & experience

• Experience working within a capex environment
• CIMA, ACCA, ACA (or equivalent) part-qualified.
• Extensive experience in finance roles, ideally in large, complex organisations.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent presentation abilities with a talent for distilling complex data into clear insights for senior audiences.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a natural curiosity for understanding business drivers.
• Proficiency in SAP and Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of programme accounting, long-term contracts, and project reporting (EACs, EVMS).

Essential

• Capex
• SAP
• CIMA/ACCA/ACA part qualified or equivalent

Our client is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Part-time opportunities/flexible working is available to suit individual needs.

Please note that the client has determined that the off-payroll working rules will apply to this assignment and therefore this contract will be run through an Umbrella Company. Income tax and primary national insurance contributions will be deducted at source from any payments made to the intermediary.

You will be required to hold a minimum of SC clearance. If you do not hold an active SC clearance, please familiarise yourself with the vetting process before applying.