At a Glance
- Tasks: Act as a trusted finance advisor, driving commercial outcomes and shaping business strategy.
- Company: Join a fast-growing tech company with a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing key business decisions and driving financial success.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in finance roles, strong financial modelling skills, and stakeholder management experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
A Finance Business Partner is a commercially focused finance professional who acts as a trusted advisor to business unit leadership. This is not a traditional finance reporting role: the successful candidate will be embedded in the business, driving commercial outcomes, challenging decisions with financial insight, and proactively shaping strategy through rigorous analysis and modelling.
The role requires someone who is commercially astute, technically strong in financial modelling, and capable of creating tangible, measurable impact in the areas of the business they support.
Principal Responsibilities / Duties- Commercial partnering
- Act as a trusted commercial advisor to business unit leaders, embedding finance thinking into decisions at the point they are made, not after the fact.
- Challenge and shape business strategy with a commercial lens, contributing to leadership discussions as an equal voice rather than a back-office function.
- Identify and quantify opportunities for revenue growth, margin improvement, and cost optimisation across the business unit.
- Own the business case process end-to-end, from shaping the initial ask through to post-investment review.
- Financial modelling and snowballs
- Build and maintain dynamic financial ARR models that explain variance and forecast outcomes across multiple periods.
- Produce rolling reforecasts that reflect real trading conditions, not simply adjusted budgets.
- Model the full P&L and cash flow impact of commercial initiatives from revenue to cash, stress-testing assumptions and presenting sensitivity ranges rather than point estimates.
- Translate complex model outputs into clear, accessible narratives for non-finance stakeholders.
- Continuously improve modelling tools and approaches, bringing creative solutions to analytical challenges.
- Planning and performance management
- Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting cycle for the business unit, working collaboratively across functions.
- Design and maintain management information packs that actively drive decision-making, not just report on historical performance.
- Track KPIs against plan, flag underperformance early, and recommend credible corrective actions.
- Ensure financial plans are tightly linked to commercial and operational activity, with clear accountability for delivery.
- Insight and proactive support
- Proactively surface insights from financial and operational data; bringing forward analysis before being asked, and flagging risks before they crystallise.
- Drive commercial awareness across the business unit through coaching, clear communication, and making financial data accessible.
- Collaborate with central finance on month-end close, consolidation, and audit requirements as needed.
- 3–5+ years of experience in FP&A, commercial finance, or business partnering roles.
- Demonstrable track record of commercial impact — able to cite specific examples where financial input changed a business decision, improved a margin, grew revenue, or avoided a material cost, with quantified outcomes.
- Highly proficient in financial ARR “snowball” / “corkscrew” / “bridge” modelling; experienced in building multi-period models that layer volume, price, mix, and efficiency movements to explain variance and inform decisions.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience operating at senior leadership level and presenting complex financial analysis in a clear, compelling way.
- Proven ability to work proactively — identifying issues and opportunities without being directed, and driving initiatives forward independently.
- Commercially curious with a genuine interest in how the business makes money, and the ability to connect financial data to operational reality.
- Advanced Excel skills; experience with planning tools and BI platforms (e.g. Anaplan, Adaptive, Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
- Experience in a commercially driven or fast-paced sector (e.g. technology, professional services, or financial services), and/or under private equity ownership.
- Previous exposure to P&L ownership or advisory responsibility at a business unit level.
- Experience leading or contributing to business case development and post-investment reviews.
- Familiarity with ERP systems and data extraction for analysis.
- Professional accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent).
Finance Business Partner (Sales) in Swinton employer: Focus Group
At Focus Group, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and collaborative employer, offering a high-performing culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Finance Business Partner in Shoreham-by-Sea or Manchester, you will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on business strategy while enjoying a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong focus on professional development and a commitment to innovation, we provide our team members with the tools and support they need to grow their careers in a dynamic, PE-backed technology environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner (Sales) in Swinton
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Focus Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner (Sales) in Swinton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Focus Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Focus Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Focus Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Focus Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Focus Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Focus Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
