Finance Business Partner - FTC

The Finance Business Partner is part of the Strategic Finance team and reports to the Head of Finance. The role provides high-quality strategic financial support, insight and challenge to senior leaders across the University, helping to inform decision-making, support delivery of strategic objectives and optimise the use of University resources.

Working closely with senior budget holders, senior management teams and key stakeholders, the postholder will build strong and trusted relationships to support financial planning, investment appraisal, business case development, scenario modelling and long-term financial sustainability.

The Finance Business Partner acts as a strategic adviser, translating complex financial information into meaningful insight and supporting evidence-based decision making. The role works collaboratively across Strategic Finance and the wider University to ensure financial considerations are effectively integrated into planning and delivery of institutional priorities.

This role is part of Strategic Finance. Management accounting and reporting, financial accounting and transactional finance are largely delivered through other specialist finance teams.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub, situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. The post holder is expected to travel to other university sites as required to meet stakeholders.

Service Delivery/Development:
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University's values.
- Develop and promote an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments relevant to your role.
- Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by ensuring all colleagues adhere to approved financial and procurement activities and processes.
- Use professional knowledge and experience as a qualified Finance professional to understand, explain and contribute to improved University performance and provide subject matter expertise and advice.
- Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area.
- Responsible for operational activity across faculties or professional services.
- Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
- Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
- Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
- Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
- Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.
- Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance.

Planning and Organisation:
- Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services provided by your area.
- Contribute to the development of operational and strategic-level plans relevant to your area.
- Scope, plan and implement large-scale/University-wide initiatives.
- Oversee projects to deliver agreed objectives while solving any problems which are encountered.
- Provide oversight for short term/temporary project teams.
- Analyse data about the service levels provided by your area and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees.
- Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources.

Communication/Liaison:
- Use professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.
- Provide professional guidance and advice when managing Finance services.
- Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to Finance.
- Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
- Design and deliver training to stakeholders to support their development and information needs.
- Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, to increase knowledge and skills and positively influence the University's reputation.
- Represent Finance and University at promotional events.
- Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups.

Essential Criteria:
1. Qualified accountant with experience working in a senior finance role operating at a strategic level.
2. Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation.
3. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
4. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation.
5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
6. Extensive experience of business partnering role and influencing senior stakeholders.
7. Extensive experience of budgeting and forecasting, with the ability to turn complex financial data into actionable insights.
8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
9. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications (advanced Excel), financial and non-financial business systems.
10. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
11. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
12. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
13. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
14. Ability to influence and constructively challenge senior stakeholders through the presentation of complex financial and commercial information.
15. Ability to operate effectively in complex environments, working collaboratively across functions and managing competing stakeholder priorities.

Benefits:
- 30 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays and 4 customary days (42 days total).
- Generous USS pension scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme, discount with local bus and train companies, Tusker Car Benefit Scheme (electric/hybrid vehicle leasing).
- Comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and qualifications.
- Discounted membership for sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Outstanding Ofsted-rated on-site nursery and holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Family-friendly policies including generous maternity and adoption leave.
- Volunteering opportunities.
- Exclusive discounts via benefits portal.
- Salary sacrifice schemes.
- Relocation support including removal costs, visa cost coverage and interest-free loan for dependant visas.