Interim Finance Business Partner

An interim opportunity for an experienced Finance Business Partner to join a respected Leicestershire organisation, focusing on overheads and operational spend. You will take ownership of reporting, budgeting and cost analysis during a period of change, working closely with budget holders to drive accountability. Delivering clear, insightful reporting, you will improve cost visibility, support decision-making and identify process improvements. As a Finance Business Partner specialising in overheads, you will play a pivotal role in stabilising and enhancing the organisation's approach to cost management during a period of transition.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve partnering with budget holders across various departments to provide meaningful financial insight that supports effective decision-making. You will be entrusted with delivering high-quality month-end reports while leading budgeting and forecasting cycles that underpin strategic planning. By analysing complex datasets from multiple sources, you will ensure complete accuracy in all financial outputs. In addition to these core duties, you will have the opportunity to review current processes critically, identifying inefficiencies and lead the redesign of workflows that improve both accuracy and transparency.

Your ability to simplify procedures and standardise practices will be instrumental in driving continuous improvement throughout the finance function. Act as the primary finance partner for overhead and operational expenditure cost centres, building dependable relationships with department leads. Provide clear, actionable financial insight to budget holders, supporting them in disciplined cost management through regular engagement. Deliver accurate and timely month-end reporting including accruals, prepayments, and detailed reviews of cost centre performance.

Produce comprehensive variance analysis comparing actuals against budget or forecast, offering commentary and recommendations that promote understanding. Analyse data from multiple financial sources such as general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, purchase orders, and contracts to ensure robust reporting. Lead and coordinate budgeting and forecasting cycles for overhead functions, developing driver-based models and scenario analyses to support informed decision-making. Review existing overhead reporting processes to identify areas for improvement in accuracy, efficiency, and transparency.

Redesign end-to-end workflows by simplifying templates, standardising timelines, and streamlining data flows for enhanced stakeholder engagement. Implement improvements that elevate data quality and consistency across all reporting activities. Support continuous improvement initiatives by collaborating with colleagues to share knowledge and best practices.

What you bring:

The Finance Business Partner will have strong expertise in overheads and operational cost control. Be comfortable working independently in collaborative teams, using advanced analysis to interpret complex data. With hands-on experience in month-end, budgeting and forecasting, you will thrive in fast-changing environments. Advanced Excel skills are essential, with Power BI exposure a plus. Proven experience as a Finance Business Partner with a strong focus on overheads or operational expenditure within a collaborative setting.

Demonstrated ability to work independently while delivering high-quality outputs without extensive supervision or guidance. Advanced analytical skills with experience interpreting large datasets and translating complex information into clear insights for non-finance stakeholders. Hands-on experience managing month-end close processes as well as budgeting and forecasting cycles within medium-to-large organisations. Expert-level proficiency in Excel; familiarity with Power BI or similar reporting tools would be highly advantageous for producing impactful reports.

Excellent communication skills enabling you to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders while maintaining positive relationships. Track record of improving or redesigning finance processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, or transparency within teams. Commitment to sharing knowledge generously with colleagues through training opportunities or informal mentoring sessions. Ability to build trust quickly with new teams by demonstrating reliability, empathy, and responsiveness in all interactions.

A flexible approach that embraces hybrid working arrangements while remaining committed to communal goals. Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates