Finance Business Partner

Influence at the highest level. Impact at the frontline. Grow your career with us.

Reports to:

Senior Finance Business Partner

Multiple opportunities across our business partnering teams.

At Nottingham City Council, finance isn't just about numbers – it's about making decisions that shape services, support communities, and deliver real change for 331,077 residents
. Our Business Partners are the face of finance for the entire council – not an afterthought or a "nice to have," but trusted partners working side-by-side with operational leaders.

This is a role for a finance professional who understands that great business partnering moves beyond monthly reporting and reactive number-crunching. It's about shaping decisions, influencing outcomes, and making a real difference
. As a Finance Business Partner, you'll work alongside a Senior Finance Business Partner, supporting the delivery of financial advice to service leaders and helping to translate financial data into operational insight.

You’ll work under the supervision and guidance of a Senior Business Partner, with clear oversight and support as you develop your skills. This is a genuine development opportunity – the next step on a pathway that leads to our career-graded Senior Business Partner roles. You’ll have access to technical experts, structured development, and the backing of a finance function that understands the value you bring.

You’ll provide financial oversight over departmental budgets and support the development and delivery of Medium-Term Financial Strategy proposals, including revenue and capital monitoring and financial planning. You’ll provide professional financial and accounting advice to service leaders, guiding decision-making and supporting the long-term financial sustainability of services.

Crucially, you’ll inform and influence business decisions, providing challenge where needed to resolve problems and exploit opportunities in collaboration with managers. You’ll offer financial analysis and interpretation of the options available, ensuring that real added value comes from the support and advice you give.

You’ll support the Senior Business Partner within your area of finance to deliver financial advisory, ensuring robust financial governance and stewardship of public funds, and you’ll support them to provide technical and financial expertise at relevant project boards and working groups – ensuring adequate challenge in commercial ideas.

Nottingham has set a balanced budget for 2026/27 with a forecast surplus of £1.063m – but the medium-term picture is challenging. The MTFP sets out a net General Fund budget requirement of £419.858m and projects a cumulative budget gap of £37.107m over four years without new savings. The council has identified £11.948m in new savings for 2026/27, but will need to identify at least £50m over the MTFP period.

Adult social care budgets are forecast to rise from £126.9m in 2026/27 to £167.8m by 2029/30 – a 32% increase – and children’s services from £106.4m to £113.9m. At the same time, the council is investing £25m in frontline services, alongside the lowest council tax increase in 18 years at 3.5%.

This is not a role for someone who wants to simply report the numbers. You’ll be supporting the conversations where difficult decisions are made to address these gaps. You’ll help shape the financial advice that enables the council to meet rising demand within constrained resources. And you’ll build the skills and credibility to become the trusted adviser that senior leaders turn to.

You won’t be buried in a back office, producing reports that no one reads – you’ll be working with services, helping colleagues navigate their challenges.