Strategic Finance Business Partner

Barnsley Council; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Ongoing professional development

Collaborative working environment

Opportunity to contribute to high‑profi

Job summary

Barnsley Council is seeking a Strategic Finance Business Partner to provide high-quality financial leadership across Place services, advising senior leaders and project teams to shape investments and ensure long-term sustainability.

You'll work with the Director of Finance and cross‑service teams, leading planning, budgeting, forecasting, and investment appraisals, while driving value for money and strong governance in a large local government setting.

Qualifications

• CCAB-qualified accountant
• Experience in financial management within a large and complex organisation
• Skilled in financial planning, forecasting, business partnering and performance reporting
• Able to analyse and interpret complex financial information and translate it into clear advice for non-finance audiences
• Confident in challenging assumptions and influencing decision-making at a senior level
• Experience in developing business cases, financial models and option appraisals
• Proactive problem solver with excellent organisational skills
• Committed to public service, continuous improvement and delivering value for money

Responsibilities

• Leading financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting activities.
• Providing strategic financial advice and constructive challenge to senior leaders and budget holders.
• Supporting the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and annual budget process.
• Developing financial models, business cases, investment appraisals and option assessments.
• Supporting major capital programmes, regeneration schemes and transformation projects.
• Identifying and managing financial risks and opportunities.
• Ensuring strong financial governance, internal control and compliance arrangements are maintained.
• Driving value for money, efficiency and continuous improvement across services.
• Supporting service reviews, savings programmes and investment decisions through robust financial analysis.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across finance, procurement, regeneration, property, environment and operational services.

Job description

Position reference: 50131599

Directorate: Core Services | Service: Corp Finance & Finance BP

Position reference: 50131599

Directorate: Core Services | Service: Corp Finance & Finance BP

Salary: £ 63,375 - £68,707

Working Arrangements: Monday to Friday inc. Agile Working

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 23/10/2026 a t 23:59

This post requires a Basic Criminal Record Check

Prospective employees will be required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time living abroad.

When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.

Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.

At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be.

We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.

There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and now’s the perfect time to join our excellent Corp Finance & Finance BP team as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities.

Employee rewards and benefits

• We’re an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.
• Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.
• If you join the team you’ll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we’ll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.
• We’ll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
• There’s so much happening in our thriving borough and your talent and skills will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
• Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.

About The Post

We are looking for a talented and motivated Strategic Finance Business Partner to provide high-quality financial leadership, challenge and support across a diverse portfolio of Place services.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to work alongside senior leaders, elected members and project teams, helping to shape major investment decisions and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of vital services.

About The Role

As a Strategic Finance Business Partner, you will be a trusted adviser to the Director of Finance, senior managers and executive directors, providing strategic financial leadership across a range of services and programmes.

You Will Play a Key Role In

• Leading financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting activities.
• Providing strategic financial advice and constructive challenge to senior leaders and budget holders.
• Supporting the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and annual budget process.
• Developing financial models, business cases, investment appraisals and option assessments.
• Supporting major capital programmes, regeneration schemes and transformation projects.
• Identifying and managing financial risks and opportunities.
• Ensuring strong financial governance, internal control and compliance arrangements are maintained.
• Driving value for money, efficiency and continuous improvement across services.
• Supporting service reviews, savings programmes and investment decisions through robust financial analysis.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across finance, procurement, regeneration, property, environment and operational services.

About You

We are looking for someone who can combine strong technical finance skills with excellent relationship-building and influencing abilities.

You Will Be

• A CCAB-qualified accountant.
• An experienced finance professional with a proven track record in financial management within a large and complex organisation.
• Skilled in financial planning, forecasting, business partnering and performance reporting.
• Able to analyse and interpret complex financial information and translate it into clear advice for non-finance audiences.
• Confident in challenging assumptions and influencing decision-making at a senior level.
• Experienced in developing business cases, financial models and option appraisals.
• A proactive problem solver with excellent organisational skills.
• Committed to public service, continuous improvement and delivering value for money.

Why Join Us?

At Barnsley, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference to the borough's future. We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• The chance to contribute to high-profile projects that will shape Barnsley for years to come.

Want to Make an Impact?

If you're a strategic finance professional who enjoys influencing decisions, working with senior stakeholders and helping deliver meaningful outcomes for communities, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us and help shape the future of Barnsley.

Help with your application form

Job Profile: Strategic Finance Business Partner Job profile.pdf

Vacancy Exposure Profile: Exposure Profile.pdf

Why work for us?

Please ensure you view the job profile for this role, as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.

We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.

We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.

At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #InclusiveHiring #SecondChances

www.barnsley.gov.uk/jobs