• The Strategic Finance Business Partner plays a pivotal role within the Shared Finance Service (SFS), working closely with the Head of Financial Planning & Business Partnering to deliver high-quality strategic financial advice and business partnering across either the corporate core or designated service directorates.

• As a senior member of the SFS leadership team, the post holder will act as a critical friend to the Council, ensuring robust financial management, risk mitigation, and alignment of financial planning with corporate priorities.

• The role will champion a culture of empowerment, innovation, and professional development across the finance team, helping to achieve the SFS ambition to add value and inspire success.

• Provide strategic financial business partnering to either corporate or service directorates, supporting robust financial planning and effective risk management.

• Develop and coordinate medium-term financial plans (MTFP), ensuring these are underpinned by accurate and robust assumptions and working papers.

• Prepare financial reports, grant settlement analyses, and scenario planning for income such as Business Rates and Council Tax.

• Deliver high-quality financial insight to senior officers, elected Members, and committees to inform strategic decision-making.

• Challenge budget holders and support them to manage resources within limited budgets while maintaining strong financial health.

• Lead and manage a team (1–5 FTEs), supporting professional development through coaching, mentoring, and career progression schemes.

• Ensure compliance with relevant statutory, regulatory, and professional standards.

• Lead on cultural change and embed corporate values, supporting innovation and improved service outcomes.

• Coordinate statutory returns and ad hoc information requests relating to financial planning and budgets.

• Act as a service gateway to the wider Shared Finance Service, enabling access to expert financial advice.

• Support implementation of budget proposals and respond to changes in legislation or financial challenges as they emerge.

• Engage with professional networks, contributing to best practice and continuous service improvement.

• Proven experience in a senior finance role within a business partnering model.

• Track record of delivering strategic finance advice in a large and complex organisation.

• Experience working closely with senior management, budget holders, and service leads to improve financial management.

• Strong capability in financial analysis, scenario planning, and interpreting complex financial data.

• Experience contributing to or leading financial input into change programmes and strategic planning.

• Ability to manage financial risk and ensure value for money through effective resource deployment.

• Demonstrable leadership and people management skills, including coaching and performance development.

• Experience in delivering customer engagement or business partnering in a large public sector environment.

• Understanding of specific service areas or corporate financial management within local government.

• Ability to interpret complex legislation or strategy documents to assess financial impact.

• Experience in creating or contributing to medium-term financial strategies.

• The closing date: 08/05/2025 @12:00.

• Full professional qualification (e.g., CIPFA, CIMA, MBA) or demonstrable equivalent experience.