Finance Business Partner

Job Advert: Strategic Finance Business Partner - £625/day

?? Location: Hybrid working (London Borough of Sutton -based)?? Contract Type: Interim / Temporary Assignment?? Pay Rate: £625 per day (Inside IR35)?? Start Date: ASAP

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving strong financial management across complex organisations? We are looking for a Strategic Finance Business Partner to join a dynamic and forward-thinking Shared Finance Service, supporting either corporate or frontline service areas across two councils.

Reporting to the Head of Financial Planning & Business Partnering, you will be a key player in shaping the financial future of the councils by providing expert financial insight, robust challenge, and business-critical advice that enables long-term sustainability and innovation.

• Deliver strategic business partnering to senior leaders, acting as a trusted advisor and critical friend.

• Lead medium-term financial planning, budget development, and forecasting.

• Translate complex financial data into meaningful insight to inform decision-making.

• Support services to manage financial risk and deliver against tight budgets.

• Drive a culture of high performance, coaching and mentoring team members (line management of 1-5 staff).

• Provide expert financial advice for committee reports and council strategies.

• Collaborate across directorates to ensure financial risks are reflected in council-wide planning.

• Contribute to the implementation of transformational change across finance and service delivery.

Essential:

• Qualified accountant (CIPFA, CIMA, ACA, ACCA, or equivalent).

• Significant experience in strategic financial management within a large, complex public sector organisation.

• Proven ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders.

• Strong leadership skills and experience of managing high-performing teams.

• Commercial mindset with an ability to drive value in service delivery.

• Skilled in translating financial information into actionable insights.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in local government or the wider public sector.

• Understanding of local authority funding, business rates, and council tax forecasting.

• Involvement in transformation or change programmes.