At a Glance
- Tasks: Support strategic business development and provide financial advice to senior leaders.
- Company: Join the University of Sussex, a renowned research-led institution.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a vibrant campus environment.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of higher education and drive financial success.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 47389 - 56535 € per year.
Brighton, UK
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).
Grade 8 starting at £47,389 to £56,535 per annum (with a discretionary range dependent upon skills and experience)
Contract Type: Permanent
About the role
An exciting opportunity exists to join the University of Sussex as its Senior Business Partner, delivering services to support strategic business development initiatives. This new role will provide expert advice and strategic financial support to the University’s senior leaders, underpinning delivery of the University’s Strategy 2035 and ensuring sustainable financial performance objectives are met.
You will support and advise on financial planning, taking a prominent role in analysing and evaluating strategic business opportunities, supporting the development of proposals with directors of service and academic business leads for prioritisation by the University’s Executive, and formulating financially sustainable business plans for implementation. You will primarily support the development of new business opportunities and improve the performance of existing initiatives and projects.
You will work across academic and professional services portfolios, collaborating with business leaders and budget holders, to support the ongoing development of a portfolio of income generating activities and services, based on and around core higher education provision and research activity, as well as other commercial operating activities.
You must be a confident communicator able to work effectively with academic and non‑academic stakeholders. You must be an enthusiastic collaborator who embraces team working and is able to leverage support and expertise from colleagues across core business partnering teams. You will provide critical business partnering support in the development of strategic ideas and options ensuring a high level of financial credibility and building excellent financial literacy and practice across the University alongside fellow Senior Finance Business Partners.
You must have an analytical mind and be experienced in presenting financial information for decision making in a succinct and digestible form by a non‑financial audience. You will be familiar with the development and use of reporting tools and data‑driven decision‑making processes. This must include a high level of competence to build business cases and define models in support of decision making for strategies and specific initiatives.
About you
You will be an experienced finance business partner that can demonstrate effective organisational, analytical and interpersonal skills. You will have experience of the Higher Education sector and be used to working in a similarly large and diverse organisation. You are an excellent communicator and able to explain complex financial information to non‑financial colleagues. You enjoy identifying and solving problems and use IT systems and tools to deliver solutions. You have experience of working to support senior business leaders and budget holders to make strategic decisions, with a proven track record in forecasting, budgeting and planning financial outcomes.
About our Division
The Finance Division is led by the Director of Finance who reports directly to the Vice Chancellor. We employ some 80 staff who provide high quality financial and commercial services which support both the day to day running of our schools, services, and the development and delivery of the University’s strategic aims. Our staff work in partnership with academic, professional service colleagues, and students to understand their priorities and needs. We maintain efficient and effective services, systems, and processes, assist in identifying and exploiting commercial and strategic opportunities, manage financial risk and improve ‘spending power’ through negotiation of favourable commercial terms. We work hard to equip staff across the University with financial capability and confidence to ensure that the University makes the best use of resources for our students and research partners.
Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150‑acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five‑minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.
Sussex is a renowned, multi‑accredited, research‑led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. The assigned SOC code is 1131 and the going rate is £75,100. Eligibility for sponsorship will depend on the salary offered and whether the candidate holds an existing Skilled Worker sponsorship which began before 4 April 2024. Immediate start subject to contractual notice periods.
Fixed Term Contract Duration
If you are experiencing any issues using our application portal or if you require adjustments to be made to the selection process, please contact us on (01273) 873743 or recruitmentadministration@sussex.ac.uk to discuss your requirements.
Senior Finance Business Partner Ref: 41452 (Strategic Development Initiatives) employer: Brighton and Sussex Medical School
The University of Sussex is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while working alongside passionate colleagues in a beautiful campus setting near the South Downs. The university values flexibility and inclusivity, ensuring that all staff can thrive both personally and professionally.
Contact Detail:
Brighton and Sussex Medical School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner Ref: 41452 (Strategic Development Initiatives)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Sussex on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help you stand out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your financial knowledge and strategic thinking skills. We recommend practising common interview questions related to finance business partnering, so you can showcase your expertise confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used data-driven decision-making in past roles. We want to see how you can bring that experience to the table at Sussex.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the University’s goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner Ref: 41452 (Strategic Development Initiatives)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in financial planning and strategic business development, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at the University of Sussex!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be working with both academic and non-academic stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex financial information clearly. Use examples from your past experiences where you've successfully explained financial concepts to non-financial colleagues. This will show us you're a great fit for our collaborative environment.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention your experience in the Higher Education sector and any previous roles that involved supporting senior leaders in decision-making. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we see your relevant achievements right away!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at the University of Sussex!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brighton and Sussex Medical School
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the higher education sector and be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles. Prepare examples of how you've supported strategic decisions with data-driven insights.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll be working with both academic and non-academic stakeholders, so it's crucial to convey complex financial information clearly. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms, perhaps by using real-life scenarios from your experience. This will show that you can bridge the gap between finance and other departments.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Think of specific instances where you've identified business opportunities or improved financial performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Understand the University’s Strategy 2035
Familiarise yourself with the University of Sussex's strategic goals and how the finance division supports these initiatives. Be prepared to discuss how your role as a Senior Finance Business Partner can contribute to achieving these objectives, showcasing your alignment with their vision.
