Senior Finance Business Partner - Custodial

Serco North America; Hook; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to support a custodial portfolio, translating financial and operational data into actionable insight to drive performance and efficiency. This role involves regular on-site engagement, including prison site visits, and requires ability to influence senior stakeholders.

You will partner with operational leaders to ensure contracts remain financially on track, identify risks and opportunities, and drive corrective actions in a regulated

Qualifications

• Qualified finance professional with strong FP&A and business partnering skills.
• Experience working in complex, regulatory or custodial environments is valued.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the financial services hub to ensure accuracy of financial records and plans.

Skills

Finance partnering

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Data analysis

Contract management

Communication

Education

ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent

Job description

Senior Finance Business Partner - Custodial

Location: Flexible / Hybrid – requires travel to various locations including London/Hook

Compensation: Competitive base salary + bonus + company car or car allowance + PMI x2 and 10% contributory pension

Division: Justice & Immigration

At Serco, we deliver essential services that make a real difference to people and communities. We are now looking for a Senior Finance Business Partner to support our evolving custodial portfolio.

As Senior Finance Business Partner, you will provide dedicated commercial and financial support across our portfolio of prison contracts operating in a complex and highly regulated environment across England. You will act as a trusted advisor to operational and contract leaders, translating financial and operational data into clear insight that drives performance, efficiency, and better decision‑making. A key part of the role is ensuring contracts remain financially on track, identifying risks and opportunities, and influencing stakeholders to take appropriate corrective action. This role requires regular engagement on site and candidates must be comfortable visiting prisons and working within secure environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the financial services hub to ensure accuracy of financial records, compliance, and financial plans that the hub produces.
• Act as a trusted, visible and accessible point of contact to business leaders; providing strategic, commercial and financial decision‑making support.
• Drive commercial and operational efficiency improvements through data‑led insight and analysis.
• Ensure budgets are aligned with business direction and that there are plans in place to achieve committed financial targets.
• Translate complex financial data into compelling narratives tailored to diverse audiences.

What You'll Need

• Preferably qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong Finance Business Partnering experience in complex, operational or service‑led environments
• Experience in FM, custodial, public sector, infrastructure or similarly workforce‑intensive environments is highly beneficial
• Ability to operate confidently in stakeholder environments where financial literacy varies significantly
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders
• Experience working with large, complex contracts and operational delivery teams
• Strong analytical capability and ability to turn data into actionable insight
• Comfortable working in secure environments and visiting prison sites
• Excellent communication and influencing skills

Additional Requirements

• Ability to achieve DBS & BPSS clearance required

EEO Statement

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. We support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the 'Ban the Box' pledge. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas and are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working.