At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Finance Business Partnering team and provide financial insights for key decisions.
- Company: Join Ofwat, a vital regulator in the water sector, shaping the future of water services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and exclusive discounts on various services.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a people-centric environment during a transformative period.
- Qualifications: CCAB qualified with experience in leading finance teams and managing change.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Join Ofwat’s Finance Team as a Head of Business Partnering. This is a Fixed Term Appointment running until 31st December 2027.
Office Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working.
About Us
We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non‑ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. The water sector is entering a new chapter. Following the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report and subsequent White Paper - 'New Vision for Water', the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. Ofwat is working in collaboration with the government and other regulators to help establish a new body for England, combining our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, and Natural England. We’re also continuing to engage with the Welsh Government to support future decisions for Wales. While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.
The Role
You will provide leadership, influence, vision, financial challenge, direction, support, and advice, adding value through insightful analysis whilst acting as critical advisor on key financial decisions. You will be CCAB qualified or at final level of your qualification with extensive experience, gained within a Government and/or Public Sector. Lead and manage the Finance Business Partnering team including prioritisation and planning of workload; 121 meetings; monitoring progress against objectives. Develop and optimise the production of financial analysis and management information for budget holders, ensuring accuracy and clarity. Lead the approach to budget setting and forecasting, including working with senior budget holders, and maintaining forecasting methodology.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
- Lead Criterion 1: Experience of building and leading a Finance Business Partnering team.
- Lead Criterion 2: Experience of supporting an organisation through a period of significant change e.g. a merger/close of an organisation.
- Excellent stakeholder management, with experience of building strong relationships and working collaboratively to achieve and deliver against shared objectives.
- Experience of providing leadership, guidance and support to colleagues and partners to enable effective decision making.
- Confident communicator with the ability to communicate financial insights to non‑financial audiences.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and resources in context, considering a range of approaches and during potential periods of ambiguity.
- Experience in process improvement and efficiency.
Why You Should Join Us
- People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
- Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture built on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
- Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in person collaboration in our Birmingham and London offices.
- Good employer pension contributions.
- 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
- Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
- Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
- Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
Head of Business Partnering in Birmingham employer: Ofwat
OFWAT is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide flexible working arrangements, generous parental leave, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the regulatory landscape of Wales.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Partnering in Birmingham
✨Join Financial Networking Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Partnering in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Ofwat will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Ofwat. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Ofwat confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Ofwat.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Ofwat that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
