Business Partner x 3

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£43,188 - £50,382 per annum*

Management Group: Finance and Corporate Services

Department: Finance and Property

Section: Business Partnering

Reports to: Head of Finance Business Partnering

Responsible for: Overall day to day responsibility for managing up to 6 FTE, providing financial management advice to service managers with budget responsibility of up to £200m.

Functional links with: Deputy Director of Finance and Property, Financial and Technical Accountancy Team, Strategy, Treasury and Pensions Team, Internal audit, External Audit, Service Department Directors, Deputy Directors and Heads, Relevant Partner organisations.

*Inclusive of Choices Flexible Benefits of £2,436 per annum

We are recruiting three of the six Business Partner roles across Adults and Children’s Directorates, the Place and Corporate Directorates, and Housing and Commercial Services, one for each directorate.

Download Finance team structure chart

Main purpose of the job

To be responsible for implementing the business partnering function for the specified service area. The role is pivotal in providing strategic support in all aspects of financial advice for the service across the Council. They will act as a partner with the service leadership teams to develop, constructively challenge and support service plans and project delivery and take responsibility for managing and reporting on operational performance for the business partnering team.

Assess situations from a commercial, business or finance perspective; provide appropriate financial advice to support complex business decisions.

Business Partners will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure best use of limited financial resources, providing the strategic financial insight, intelligence and support needed.

Respond to government and professional consultations, implementation of best practice models and any other such requirements

The post-holder’s primary activity is to provide an effective Business Partnering function to the council and to contribute to the development of the policies, activities and service improvements required to deliver the function.

Business Partners will work to ensure that finance staff deliver to customers in an efficient manner, within a professional business framework. The post holder will have a body of theoretical and practical knowledge.

Provide advice and support which demonstrates depth of knowledge, expertise and customer focus and be responsible for the provision of revenue monitoring, capital monitoring, budget setting (revenue and capital), MTFS setting, closure of accounts

The post will support the council’s leadership at all levels and develop a strategic and workable response to the financial challenges the council faces in relation to the Services they are supporting.

Major duties and responsibilities

To proactively lead the financial advice and support to the defined service area particularly with reference to revenue and capital monitoring including delivering savings, and the budget setting and closure of accounts processes.

To ensure that financial information is relevant and balanced and is received by decision-takers at the appropriate level.

To ensure that financial data analytics are used where appropriate to better inform budget monitoring and longer term financial planning.

To work with services to ensure the accuracy of information input to systems and proper responses to system outputs.

To regularly spend time in the designated service to become an integral part of the management team within the service area and to develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the service area being supported

Ensure managers within the service areas supported receive the financial management training required to be effective in their roles and are aware of Financial Regulations (in particular the responsibilities of the Director and budget holders/managers) and requirements for obtaining the necessary approval prior to taking decisions

Continually review, update and report on quantified financial risks and opportunities in the delivery unit or commissioning area supported, advising how the risks can be mitigated and the opportunities exploited.

To advise the Heads of Finance Business Partnering of any matters that should be referred to the Chief Financial Officer in their S151 role on funding, financial management and accounting requirements in respect of the portfolio of services which the postholder has responsibility for.

Working closely with the Heads of Finance Business Partnering to contribute towards the development of the Integra Financial Management System working with the designated service areas and the team responsible for the maintenance and development of Integra to drive improvements forward.

To lead, manage and motivate staff through excellent communication, professional guidance, support and development in accordance with the council’s policies and procedures.

To be customer-focussed and to develop self-service underpinned by reducing finance support.

To provide advice and support to Members, management board, directors and deputy directors on the full range of issues within the scope of the job.

To ensure effective financial support to programmes and projects.

To undertake any other tasks, duties and responsibilities as directed and appropriate to the grade and role of the post.

Deputise for the Head of Finance Business Partnering as required

Job activities

Example outcomes or objectives that this role will deliver:

Budget monitoring information which is accurate and timely

Managers who are able to carry out their own day-to-day financial management responsibilities with minimal input

Member and officer level reports that are based on accurate financial information and robust financial analysis

Programmes and projects that have effective financial support and which deliver on financial objectives

Delivery of the closure process in accordance with the corporate timetable and appropriate quality standards

Person specification

Key: Essential (E), Desirable (D), Application form (A), Interview (I)

Education & Formal Training

Qualified CCAB Accountant or Equivalent Relevant Finance Qualification (E, A)

Participation in Continuing Professional Development (E, A)

Knowledge & Experience

Accounting and budgetary experience, sound knowledge of local government finance framework, accounting principles and standards, statutory requirements and relevant codes of practice. (E, A/I)

Knowledge of the major issues facing local government, understanding of the national policy context, requirements and future direction for local authorities (E, A/I)

Good interpersonal and communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences both horizontally and vertically, financial and non-financial, throughout the organisation (E, A/I)

Sound knowledge of accounting principles and standards (E, A/I)

Experience of attending Member Committees and/or other corporate/board meetings (E, A/I)

Experience of financial appraisals, modelling techniques, development of business cases (D, A/I)

Staff management experience with the ability to lead and develop a team (E, A/I)

Relevant service accounting experience (E, A/I)

Experience of delivery of change programmes (E, A/I)

Skills & Abilities

Ability to work and deliver on projects in a pressurised environment as well as the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances (E, A/I)

Ability to work effectively in a political environment and establish positive relationships with councillors, senior managers, staff, external partners and interest groups in a way that establishes confidence, credibility and trust (E, A/I)

Ability to fully utilise standard Microsoft Office products (E, A/I)

Other Additional Requirements

To deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post at the appropriate grade.

Work in an agile way in line with a paperless and flexible work environment.

Commitment to maintain professional and ethical standards