Strategic Finance Business Partner (Capital & Projects) in Kettering

Strategic Finance Business Partner (Capital & Projects) in Kettering

Kettering Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
North Northamptonshire Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial strategy for capital projects and provide expert advice on investment decisions.
  • Company: Join North Northamptonshire Council, a dynamic and transformative local authority.
  • Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and flexible working arrangements.
  • Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to innovation and community improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on community projects and shape the future of local services.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in capital programme management and strategic leadership.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people. You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!

Why choose us? We offer a vibrant working environment with:

  • a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
  • lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council.
  • generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days.
  • hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
  • We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Strategic Finance Business Partner (Capital & Projects) to play a key leadership role in shaping and delivering North Northamptonshire Council’s ambitious capital programme. North Northamptonshire Council was established in 2021, bringing together four districts and part of a county council to form one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Since then, we have been on a significant transformation journey, building a strong “One Council” culture and establishing the financial foundations to support sustainable, high-quality services for our residents. This role sits at the heart of that journey.

You will be a trusted strategic advisor, working closely with senior officers to ensure that our capital investment programme is financially robust, well-governed and delivers maximum value for our communities. The role also requires an outward-looking perspective, anticipating the financial implications of emerging policy changes, funding reforms and wider economic pressures, and translating these into actionable insight for the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity to lead, influence and shape the Council’s approach to capital investment and major projects.

What will you be doing? Key responsibilities of the Strategic Finance Business Partner (Capital & Projects) will include:

  • Lead the financial strategy and oversight of the Council’s capital programme, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and long-term sustainability.
  • Provide expert financial advice on major capital schemes, projects and investment decisions, including business case development and appraisal, taking account of evolving national policy, regulatory changes and their financial impact.
  • Lead on the Capital Strategy including financing and funding strategies.
  • Ensure robust financial governance and control across capital programmes, including monitoring, forecasting and risk management.
  • Partner with Executive Directors, Directors and senior project leads to provide challenge, insight and strategic support on complex projects.
  • Support and influence decision-making at the highest level, including the Corporate Leadership Team, through clear and credible financial advice that reflects both internal priorities and the external policy and funding environment.
  • Drive continuous improvement in capital financial management, reporting and commercial awareness across the organisation, ensuring the Council is well-positioned to respond to policy, funding and economic change.

About you

We are looking for a high-calibre finance professional who brings both technical excellence and strategic leadership. You will:

  • Be a fully qualified CCAB (or equivalent) accountant with significant post-qualification experience.
  • Have a strong track record of working in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment, ideally within local government or a similarly regulated sector.
  • Bring demonstrable experience of:
    • Capital programme management and financing.
    • Business case appraisal and investment analysis.
    • Supporting large-scale projects or transformation projects.
  • Be confident operating at senior level, with the ability to influence, challenge and build trusted relationships with Directors and stakeholders.
  • Combine strong financial acumen with commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
  • Be driven, proactive and solutions-focused, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and deliver in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Critically, you will be someone who thrives on shaping outcomes, able to balance long-term strategic thinking with practical delivery, and able to translate complex financial issues into clear, actionable insight. This is a role for an individual who wants to make a tangible impact by helping to deliver transformational and capital investment that improves places, infrastructure and outcomes for residents.

About us

Our Values and Behaviours

Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are:

  • Customer-focused
  • Respectful
  • Efficient
  • Supportive
  • Trustworthy

Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.

Disability Confident Employer

We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

Strategic Finance Business Partner (Capital & Projects) in Kettering employer: North Northamptonshire Council

North Northamptonshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant working environment in Kettering with a strong commitment to employee development and well-being. With generous leave entitlements, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, we empower our staff to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact on the community through strategic financial leadership.

North Northamptonshire Council

Contact Details:

North Northamptonshire Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Finance Business Partner (Capital & Projects) in Kettering

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 North Northamptonshire Council. 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 Strategic Finance Business Partner (Capital & Projects) in Kettering

Financial Strategy Development
Capital Programme Management
Business Case Development
Investment Analysis
Financial Governance
Risk Management
Stakeholder Engagement

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 North Northamptonshire Council.

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 North Northamptonshire Council'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 North Northamptonshire Council

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 North Northamptonshire Council.

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 North Northamptonshire Council 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 North Northamptonshire Council 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.