At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance business partnering to drive strategic decision-making and support income growth.
- Company: Join the Imperial War Museums, a purpose-driven organisation connecting people with modern conflict stories.
- Benefits: Collaborative culture, strong public mission, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Work closely with senior leaders across diverse teams for high-quality financial support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping financial insight in a meaningful organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven finance leadership experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Imperial War Museums (IWM) connects people with the stories of modern conflict, helping shape understanding of its impact on society. You'll join a collaborative, purpose-driven organisation with a strong public mission and a focus on accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. Teams work closely across disciplines to deliver high-quality experiences for visitors while ensuring long‑term sustainability.
Why This Role Matters
This role is central to how financial insight shapes decision-making across IWM. As Head of Finance Business Partnering, you’ll lead the function that connects finance with the wider organisation, ensuring leaders have the clarity, challenge and support they need to deliver against strategic and commercial objectives. You’ll play a key role in aligning financial planning with IWM’s mission, supporting both public-facing activity and commercial operations, while maintaining strong governance and value for money.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead and develop the Finance Business Partnering function, building a high-performing and well-structured team
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing clear financial insight and constructive challenge
- Partner closely with the Commercial directorate to support income growth, pricing decisions and business planning
- Translate strategy into financial plans, budgets and performance measures
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting processes, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities
- Deliver high-quality reporting, analysis and scenario modelling to support decision-making
- Support major strategic initiatives, investment cases and organisational change
- Improve financial systems, reporting and processes to increase efficiency, insight and transparency
- Promote financial understanding across the organisation, enabling better decision-making at all levels.
You’ll work closely with senior leaders across commercial, operational and support functions, acting as a key link between finance and the wider organisation. The role requires strong collaboration across directorates, including Collections, Exhibitions, Learning and Estates, to ensure consistent and high-quality financial support.
What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)
- Build strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across all directorates
- Establish a clear, effective Finance Business Partnering model and team structure
- Improve the quality and consistency of financial reporting, planning and insight
- Strengthen financial support to commercial decision-making and income generation
- Deliver measurable improvements to budgeting and forecasting processes
- Embed finance as a proactive and valued partner to the business
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading a finance business partnering or FP&A function
- Strong experience influencing and challenging senior stakeholders
- Track record of supporting commercial performance and strategic decision-making
- Experience leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes
- Ability to turn complex financial data into clear, actionable insight
- Strong team leadership skills, with experience building or developing teams
- Qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or equivalent experience
- Strong analytical skills and a proactive, problem-solving mindset
- Understanding of public sector, charity or grant-funded environments (desirable)
Head of Finance Business Partnering in City of Westminster employer: IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS
Imperial War Museums (IWM) is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and purpose-driven work environment, dedicated to connecting people with the impactful stories of modern conflict. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional growth, innovative practices, and a commitment to public service, all while working in a culturally rich setting that values accountability and sustainability. Joining IWM means being part of a team that not only prioritises high-quality visitor experiences but also supports meaningful contributions to society through financial insight and strategic decision-making.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance Business Partnering in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance sector, especially those connected to IWM. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio of your past financial insights and decision-making contributions. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, share specific examples of how you've influenced strategic decisions in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see an opportunity at IWM, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email expressing your enthusiasm for the role. A little initiative goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by understanding IWM’s mission and values. Think about how your skills in finance can support their goals. Tailor your responses to show how you can be a trusted advisor and a proactive partner in their financial journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance Business Partnering in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Finance Business Partnering role. Highlight your experience in financial planning and stakeholder management, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams or improved processes in previous roles. We want to see how you can inspire and guide others!
Demonstrate Financial Insight:Use your application to illustrate your ability to turn complex financial data into actionable insights. Provide examples of how your financial analysis has influenced decision-making in past positions, especially in commercial settings.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Finance Business Partnering, you'll need to demonstrate a solid grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key financial concepts and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decision-making in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong team leadership. Prepare examples of how you've built or developed teams in the past. Highlight your approach to fostering collaboration and trust among senior stakeholders.
✨Align with IWM's Mission
Understand the Imperial War Museums' mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your financial strategies can support their public-facing activities and long-term sustainability goals. This shows you're not just about numbers but also about purpose.
✨Prepare for Scenario Modelling
Expect questions around budgeting, forecasting, and scenario modelling. Have specific examples ready that illustrate how you've successfully navigated these processes in the past, especially in a collaborative environment.
