Senior Finance Business Partner

Michael Page (UK); Woking; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable organization, RHS, seeks a Senior Finance Business Partner to deliver financial insights that guide strategic decisions. This role emphasizes strong relationship building, financial analysis, compliance, and effective communication to enhance operational outcomes. Suitable candidates will have extensive experience in commercial finance and hold relevant professional qualifications.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension scheme and Private Medical Insurance

Complimentary tickets to RHS Shows

Free parking at Wisley

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a commercial finance role.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to interpret and communicate complex data clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic finance business partnering support for multiple stakeholders, including P&L analysis.
• Oversee capital planning for gardens and estate projects.
• Offer financial insights into key business drivers for strategic planning.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting.

Skills

Financial Acumen

Analytical Skills

Stakeholder Management

Effective Communication

Education

ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualification

Job description

I am delighted to be exclusively partnering with RHS Wisley Gardens in recruiting for a Senior Finance Business Partner role on a permanent basis.

Client Details

For over 200 years, the RHS has been a force for good, influencing everything from window boxes to landscaped gardens worldwide. We create spaces and experiences for visitors to enjoy. We are committed to caring for every plant and for our 1,200 colleagues and 2,000 volunteers through support, training, qualifications, and a unique environment.

We seek individuals who can influence and implement our mission to connect more people to plants, share the health benefits of gardening, showcase our scientific and horticultural expertise, and promote a lifelong gardening adventure for people of all ages and backgrounds. If you are passionate about growing your career through the positive power of gardening, we look forward to growing together.

Role Description

The Senior Finance Business Partner plays a crucial role in providing financial insights that inform strategic decisions across the RHS. This proactive, solution-focused role leads financial discussions, builds strong partnerships, and clarifies complex data. As a trusted advisor, the postholder influences operational and commercial outcomes, champions innovation, and ensures financial stewardship aligns with RHS values and the charity’s long-term goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide holistic finance business partnering support for multiple stakeholders, including P&L analysis considering income, margins, operating costs, and profit for purpose.
2. Oversee capital planning for gardens and estate projects, including preparing investment appraisals to support business cases.
3. Offer financial insights into key business drivers to aid strategic planning and annual budgeting.
4. Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for the gardens, setting realistic and achievable targets.
5. Support finance teams in developing tactical plans aligned with overarching financial objectives.
6. Use sound business judgment to assess new initiatives, providing clear recommendations based on operational and financial impacts.
7. Assist the Head of Finance with complex analyses that require strong business acumen and trend understanding.
8. Ensure compliance with audit and legislative standards, embedding good practice across teams.
9. Prepare month-end commentary, highlighting insights and remedial actions.
10. Investigate KPI trends, engaging stakeholders, and implementing plans to optimize performance.
11. Challenge unusual P&L movements and forecast discrepancies to ensure robust financial performance.
12. Analyze key business drivers using reporting tools and external/internal data sources.
13. Build and maintain strong partnerships across the organization to support financial objectives.

Candidate Profile

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to interpret and communicate complex data clearly.
• Proven relationship-building skills across business areas.
• Ability to make evidence-based recommendations to improve performance.
• Effective stakeholder influence and challenge skills.
• Excellent communication skills, translating technical finance into accessible language.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a commercial finance role.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, capital investment appraisal, and financial modeling.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with options to purchase additional days.
• Pension scheme, Life Assurance, Group Income Protection, Private Medical Insurance.
• Complimentary tickets to RHS Shows and free garden entry, including tickets for friends and family.
• Free parking at Wisley.