Strategic Finance Business Partner

Opus People Solutions Ltd; Berrington; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Shropshire Council is recruiting an experienced Strategic Finance Business Partner on an interim basis. The role focuses on strategic financial management, budget setting, and high-level financial advice to Corporate and Service Directors.

A strong business partnering mindset is essential to drive performance and value for money across council services. The post requires leadership of a finance team and deputising for the Strategic Finance Manager as needed.

Qualifications

• Senior finance leadership experience
• Experience in local authority environment
• Proven ability to partner with senior stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic financial planning across services
• Coordinate annual budget-setting process
• Provide high-quality financial advice and challenge to directors
• Deputise for Strategic Finance Manager and lead a team of finance professionals
• Support cabinet and senior leadership with reports and forecasting

Job description

Strategic Finance Business Partner

Shropshire Council | Interim Contract | 6 Months | £500 per day Hybrid Working | Office attendance required a couple of times per month

We are working with Shropshire Council to recruit an experienced Strategic Finance Business Partner on an interim basis for an initial 6 month contract.

This is a key leadership role within the Finance function, supporting the strategic financial management of the Council and providing high level financial advice to Corporate and Service Directors. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in budget setting, financial planning, business partnering, and strategic decision-making across the organisation.

The Role

As Strategic Finance Business Partner, you will lead the provision of high-quality financial advice, analysis, and challenge to senior stakeholders, ensuring informed decision making and effective financial management across council services.

You will be responsible for coordinating the Council's budget setting process, supporting medium term financial planning, producing reports for senior leadership and Cabinet, and driving financial performance across service areas.

You will also deputise for the Strategic Finance Manager when required and provide leadership to a team of finance professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic financial planning across service areas, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities.
• Coordinate and oversee the Council's annual budget-setting process.
• Support the preparation of Cabinet and senior leadership reports.
• Develop robust medium term financial plans and resource projections.
• Provide high quality financial advice and constructive challenge to Corporate Directors, Executive Directors, and senior management teams.
• Lead revenue budget monitoring activities, identifying financial risks and opportunities.
• Support service areas in developing mitigation plans and delivering value for money.
• Analyse and communicate complex financial, technical, and performance information.
• Support contract negotiations, procurement exercises, and commercial initiatives.
• Contribute to the production of annual accounts and financial benchmarking exercises.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead, manage and develop a team of 6.4 FTE finance professionals.

About You

We are particularly interested in speaking with candidates who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience working in a senior finance business partnering role within a Local Authority.
• Previous management of a revenue budget monitoring and/or finance business partnering team.
• Proven experience coordinating council wide budget-setting processes.
• Strong experience producing and presenting financial reports for senior leadership teams and elected members.
• The ability to provide strategic challenge and influence decision-making at Director and Executive Director level.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.
• A strong understanding of local government finance, governance, and financial regulations.

Essential Experience

• Local Government finance background.
• Strategic financial planning and budget management.
• Revenue budget monitoring.
• Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) development.
• Business partnering with senior stakeholders.
• Leadership and management of finance teams.
• Financial risk management and performance reporting.

Desirable

• CCAB/CIPFA qualified accountant.
• Experience supporting Cabinet, Executive Leadership Teams, or equivalent senior governance structures.
• Experience driving commercial and efficiency programmes within a Local Authority setting.

Contract Details

Role: Strategic Finance Business Partner

Organisation: Shropshire Council

Contract Length: Initial 6 months

Rate: £500 per day

Working Arrangement: Hybrid

Office Attendance: Approximately 1-2 times per month

Start Date: ASAPThis opportunity would suit an experienced local government finance leader who can quickly establish credibility with senior stakeholders, provide strategic financial challenge, and immediately support the delivery of the Council's financial objectives