Job Description

Finance Business Partner

London/Hybrid

1 year FTC

From £50,000pa dependant on experience

Our commitment is to provide equal opportunity regardless of, for example, your gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or beliefs. We also engage with employers to develop programmes and pathways that embrace diverse talent and promote more inclusive employment worldwide through partnerships and other initiatives. We recognise and celebrate the value of difference and how it makes us faster, smarter and more innovative than our competition.

My client is a leading global centre for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research. It brings together expertise in languages, cultures, and societies with a strong focus on addressing contemporary global challenges. With a commitment to diversity, social justice, and academic excellence, it serves as a hub for critical thinking and innovative scholarship that shapes policy and practice worldwide.

They are looking for an experienced Finance Business Partner to join the team on a fixed term contract for 1 year. Working Monday to Friday, standard office hours, you will be hybrid working initially being in the office a few times a week but reducing over time to 1 day a week.

Purpose of the role

The Finance Business Partner (FBP) will be the lead finance professional providing support to Professional Services Departments. The FBP will work in a cluster alongside other business partners, while reporting to the Senior Finance Business Partner in the central Finance and Procurement Directorate.

Key Responsibilities

Budgeting, Forecasting and Reporting - act as the interface between Professional Services Departments, central finance teams for planning, preparing the School's annual budget and for forecasting. Assist in reviewing, updating and monitoring the School's staffing budget;

Monthly Performance Monitoring - produce monthly management accounts, monthly budget statements, commentaries and other information needed for the Departments and support the relevant Head of Department/Director of Professional Services in identifying risks of overspends and agreeing mitigations for Operational, and Capital budgets;

Analysis & Reporting - combine quantitative, qualitative data and statistical analysis to highlight trends, share insights and evaluate alternatives against business objectives;

Support to Financial Operations - provide advice and support to academic and professional services staff and to students, including directions on appropriate routes into the School's financial transactions, the School's procedures and processes;

Knowledge Sharing & Change - identify and drive process and performance improvement, coaching and leadership to stakeholders as appropriate;

Accounting - participate in month end and year end processes and support the preparation of the School's financial statements and ensure that the overall deadlines are met;

Reporting - contribute to external and internal (for example monthly budget holder reports) reports as needed;

Train budget holders on financial management processes and deliver Agresso training to budget holders; update training material when necessary;

Review all new Programme proposals from both a Financial and Operational viewpoint, questioning and challenging assumptions and costings and ensuring all Financials are updated to reflect as accurate a position as possible;

Assist with the development of business cases including the provision of advice and information on the costs of new initiatives; and

Maintain a Risks and Opportunities schedule against budget and KPIs

Knowledge, experience and skills

Qualified accountant, either ACA, ACCA, or CIMA, or part qualified due to qualify within 6 months of appointment.

Degree level education

Experience of working in a business facing finance role

Experience of budgetary control

Experience of financial analysis and management reporting

Degree level education

Experience of working in a business facing finance role

Experience of budgetary control

Experience of financial analysis and management reportingDesirable

Knowledge of Agresso Business World

Knowledge of Pigment

Experience in capital planning and supporting complex multi-year projects

Candidates must be able to show evidence of the above in their CV to be considered. Evidence of written work will be requested prior to your application being submitted to the business.

Please be advised if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you.

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention