Senior Finance Business Partner

Senior Finance Business Partner

Location: DerbySalary: £50,000 - £55,000 Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced finance professional to join a growing education organisation as a Senior Finance Business Partner.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you will lead a team of Finance Business Partners and play a key strategic role in supporting senior leaders to make informed financial decisions. You will provide high-quality financial insight, oversee consolidated financial planning and reporting, and help drive long-term financial sustainability across a portfolio of schools.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader who enjoys partnering with stakeholders, influencing strategic decisions and leading continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

As Senior Finance Business Partner, you will:

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• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting across multiple schools.
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• Produce insightful management information, variance analysis and performance reporting.
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• Develop financial and operational KPIs that support strategic decision-making.
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• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to executive leadership and governing bodies.
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• Partner with school leaders to ensure financial resources are aligned with organisational priorities.
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• Support financial recovery planning, risk management and long-term sustainability.
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• Lead procurement and cost-efficiency initiatives, ensuring value for money and compliance.
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• Line manage, coach and develop a team of Finance Business Partners.
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• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
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• Translate complex financial information into clear, practical recommendations.
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About You

We're looking for an experienced finance professional who can combine technical expertise with excellent business partnering skills.

You'll ideally have:

Essential

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• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or significant equivalent experience.
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• Extensive post-qualification experience in a senior finance role.
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• Strong financial planning, budgeting and forecasting experience.
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• Experience producing high-quality management information and financial analysis.
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• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate financial information clearly.
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• Experience leading, mentoring and developing finance teams.
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• Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel and financial systems knowledge.
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• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
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Desirable

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• Experience within the education, public sector or not-for-profit environment.
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• Knowledge of education funding and financial regulations.
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• Experience leading organisational change and financial transformation initiatives.
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What You'll Bring

You'll be:

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• A strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness.
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• An excellent communicator who can build credibility with senior leaders.
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• A collaborative leader who develops high-performing teams.
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• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
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• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
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• Passionate about delivering value through effective financial management.
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