Finance Business Partner | Management Accountant in Leeds

Are you experienced in a fast-paced and complex financial environment? Are you seeking a challenging, busy, and rewarding role within a large and diverse organisation?

Hays Senior Finance is proud to be recruiting on behalf of a respected further/higher education institution for a Finance Business Partner / Management Accountant to join their Finance Team on a permanent basis.

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic and multifaceted financial environment where the pace is fast, and the challenges are complex. You'll be expected to work independently, managing tight deadlines while providing a professional and supportive finance partnering service to a wide array of stakeholders. This role is ideal for those who thrive in busy settings and are adept at navigating intricate financial landscapes.

Key Responsibilities

• Partnering with Heads of and senior managers to deliver a professional service in all aspects of financial management.
• Supporting the delivery and ownership of robust, sustainable five-year plans with effective performance monitoring and control.
• Managing all aspects of management accounting, including month and year-end accounts, budgeting, financial planning, and forecast preparation.
• Monitoring income and expenditure against plans, investigating variances, and recommending or taking action as necessary.
• Liaising closely with budget holders, communicating timely and accurate management information both in writing and through presentations.
• Acting as a professional point of contact for advice and support on a wide range of financial matters, and providing effective guidance on financial processes, regulations, and best practice.
• Leading and/or supporting faculty-wide funding streams or organisation-wide initiatives such as studentships and change projects.
• Costing and pricing new initiatives to maximise financial contribution, balancing academic delivery with financial sustainability.
• Coaching and developing direct reports and team members, sharing knowledge and supporting the continued development of the service.

Qualifications and Skills

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA qualification or substantial relevant management accounting experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility and trust with a wide range of stakeholders.
• The ability to interpret data and review complex problems to create high-quality management information that informs decision-making.
• Experience in coaching and developing team members.
• Demonstrated expertise with financial systems, including advanced proficiency in Excel (such as Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, and SUMIFS), as well as experience with SAP, Power BI, Power Query, or comparable financial platforms.

Additional Information

• Regular interaction with campus is expected, in line with academic and service needs.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements can be discussed.
• This position offers a basic salary up to c£52k.
• Extensive benefits, inclusive of extended annual leave, a competitive pension scheme and much more.
• The organisation is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and equity of opportunity.

If you're ready to take the next step in your finance career and make a real impact within a dynamic educational environment, apply today through Hays Senior Finance. For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Nicola directly.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.