Finance Business Partner in Ipswich

East Suffolk Council is looking for an experienced and commercially minded Finance Business Partner to join its finance team on an initial six-month contract. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced local authority finance professional to provide strategic financial management, advice, guidance and challenge to Service Managers, Senior Officers and Members across the Council.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the financial management of allocated service areas and will play a key role in supporting the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy, annual budget setting, in-year budget monitoring, year-end outturn and statutory financial reporting. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation, you will provide accurate, timely and meaningful financial information to support effective decision-making, identify emerging financial risks and opportunities, and ensure the Council meets its financial objectives and statutory obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• You will support the Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Finance Officer in delivering the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy and contribute to the annual budget setting and year-end outturn processes.
• You will provide proactive financial management, advice and constructive challenge to Service Managers and Senior Officers, supporting them with financial planning, projects, service changes, committee reports and corporate initiatives.
• You will be responsible for producing accurate and timely financial information, commentary and forecasts, including quarterly budget monitoring reports for Senior Management and Members, while identifying and escalating financial issues where appropriate.
• You will contribute to the development of corporate best practice around economy, efficiency and effectiveness and provide professional financial advice to help services achieve their objectives while maintaining financial sustainability.
• The role will involve supporting the annual review and setting of fees and charges, challenging budget pressures and identifying opportunities, as well as providing financial advice on service proposals, projects and potential alternative solutions.
• You will take responsibility for year-end financial management processes within statutory deadlines, including outturn commentary and associated working papers.
• You will also lead on relevant government, partner and statistical financial returns, ensuring deadlines are met and appropriate supporting documentation is maintained for audit and external review.
• The successful candidate will undertake financial evaluations of contractors and customers, assessing financial health through appropriate financial information and ratios and determining when further information or investigation is required.
• You will provide financial support and monitoring for service funding agreements, ensuring compliance with funding terms and protecting Council funding.
• The role will also involve preparing and presenting financial reports for corporate projects, Council partnerships and other meetings, representing Finance and providing advice on financial compliance, planning and performance.
• You will work collaboratively across corporate project teams, providing financial information, advice and challenge while contributing to wider financial management projects that span multiple service areas.
• You will also support continuous improvement and financial awareness across the Council, helping staff develop the financial knowledge and skills required to support effective financial management.
• The post holder will liaise with Internal and External Audit when required and may provide supervision and management of finance staff, including supporting multi-site and mobile working arrangements.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Finance Business Partner or Senior Financial Management professional who can operate confidently within a complex organisation and provide high-quality financial advice to senior stakeholders. You will have strong experience of budget management, forecasting, financial reporting, budget monitoring and year-end processes, together with the ability to provide constructive challenge and identify financial risks and opportunities. Experience within a local authority or wider public sector environment would be highly advantageous, particularly where you have worked with statutory financial requirements, Members, senior management, committees and external audit.

You will be confident interpreting financial information, providing meaningful commentary and using professional judgement to support strategic and operational decision-making. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are essential, as you will be required to build effective relationships across different service areas and work collaboratively with senior officers and corporate teams. You should also be comfortable working independently in a predominantly remote environment while being available to attend Melton and Lowestoft approximately twice per month and on the first day of the assignment.

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to secure a £500 per day Finance Business Partner contract with a local authority, offering predominantly remote working and the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership on strategic financial management and corporate priorities. The initial contract is for six months, with an immediate start available for the right candidate. If you are an experienced public-sector finance professional looking for a flexible contract opportunity where you can make a tangible impact on financial planning, performance and decision-making, we would be keen to hear from you.