Finance Business Partner

Job Description

Type: Full Time

Time: Permanent

Location: Manchester, London or Guildford

Working Pattern: +2 days working from the office, 3 days remote

Department: Finance Business Partnering

As a Finance Business Partner, you will play a critical role in enabling the department to achieve its objectives through high‑quality financial insight, analysis and decision support. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, you will drive effective planning, performance management and commercial outcomes across the department, supporting both short‑term delivery and longer‑term strategic goals.

You will be part of a high‑performing Finance Business Partnering and FP&A function, working closely with departmental leadership, partners, business development, HR and working capital teams. The role sits at the heart of the business, bridging finance and operational teams to ensure clear understanding, robust financial governance and commercially informed decision‑making.

• Lead the preparation of the department’s annual budget, providing insight into key commercial assumptions and ensuring accuracy of baseline budgets.
• Partner with BD and COOs to agree key dependencies and secure buy‑in across the business.
• Interpret, analyse and clearly communicate month‑end and forecast performance for the department.
• Produce regular performance forecasts, highlighting risks and opportunities and agreeing actions to mitigate or maximise outcomes.
• Challenge business assumptions in forecasting and planning using detailed analysis and post‑implementation review learnings.
• End‑to‑end ownership of group P&Ls, driving high‑quality, insightful commentary and commercial challenge.
• Review actual performance, draw conclusions and make recommendations for future action.
• Proactively engage with departments where performance gaps arise and support the development and execution of recovery plans.

• Act as the financial link between assigned practice group(s) and the wider finance function.
• Deliver advanced ad‑hoc analysis to maximise profitability, including partner and client portfolio reviews and key drivers such as realisation, utilisation, staffing ratios and working capital.
• Provide insight and recommendations to support income growth and identify operational efficiency opportunities.
• Support strategic business development initiatives, client retention and improved client profitability.
• Work closely with the working capital team to monitor issues, elevate risks and resolve challenges with internal and external stakeholders.
• Clearly articulate budget risks arising from significant working capital issues.
• Prepare scenario models and business cases for key initiatives, such as lateral partner recruitment, to support decision‑making.
• Support effective people management strategies, including capability development, succession planning and workforce planning.
• Ensure financial models and processes are regularly reviewed and improved to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with BD managers on client bids, proposals, key client reviews and pricing support where finance‑led input adds value.

• High visibility role with regular exposure to senior leadership, partners and executive stakeholders.
• Opportunity to influence commercial outcomes across a complex, professional services environment.
• A broad remit combining financial planning, commercial insight, strategic decision support and stakeholder mentoring.

• ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualified.
• Proven Finance Business Partnering experience with senior stakeholders, ideally within a professional services environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to present complex financial information clearly.
• Strong influencing skills and the confidence to challenge senior stakeholders constructively.
• Resilience and the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• A continuous improvement mindset, focused on developing self, colleagues and business processes.
• Ability to balance attention to detail with a strong understanding…