Finance Business Partner

On behalf of the DSTL, we are looking for a Finance Business Partner (Inside IR35) for a 9 month contract based in Salisbury 3 days a week in the Office. DSTL is the Ministry of Defence (MOD)'s science and technology organisation, providing unique expertise, crucial insights and delivering battle-winning solutions for the benefit of the nation and allies. DSTL supplies specialist and sensitive services to MOD and wider government, working collaboratively with external partners in industry and academia and worldwide, providing expert research, specialist advice and invaluable operational support.

The Finance Business Partner plays a key role in supporting and steering the organisation in meeting its strategic objectives by communicating financial data and other information clearly and providing valuable financial advice, challenge, support, strategic insight and business solutions. They will act as first point of contact for the area they support, being responsible for building and promoting a culture of collaborative problem solving and considering innovative approaches which are compliant with policy.

As a Finance Business Partner, your main responsibilities will be:

• Act as a strategic partner to the business by translating financial information into meaningful insight, guiding decisions, and supporting delivery of organisational objectives.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders, serving as the first point of contact for financial queries and promoting a culture of proactive problem solving.
• Support business planning by developing credible financial plans, monitoring performance against targets, and advising stakeholders at key meetings and boards.
• Provide expert financial analysis, challenge, and scrutiny-including input to business cases, investment appraisals, budgets, and forecasts-to ensure value for money and compliance with standards.
• Bridge the gap between business areas and the wider finance function, ensuring leaders receive accurate, timely, and relevant financial advice.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance processes, organisational effectiveness, and financial capability across the business.
• Demonstrate strong judgement, openness to challenge, and innovative thinking while effectively managing complex issues and seeking guidance where appropriate.

Essential:

• CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant.
• Influencing and building strong relationships with both finance and non-finance senior colleagues.
• High delivery focus with integrity.
• A good understanding of pricing and charging structures (CDEL & RDEL).
• A good understanding of current reporting/presentation tools and techniques.

Desirable:

• Investment appraisal expertise.
• Awareness of government accounting and Managing Public Money.
• Preparation of formal papers to Executive/Board committees and Ministerial Offices.
• Knowledge of MOD's Annual Budget Cycle process.
• Understanding of Strategic Partnering/Outsourcing Contracts.

PLEASE NOTE: SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas. Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DSTL guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

DSTL guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge that this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.