At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support decision-making across a dynamic division.
- Company: Join QBE, a global insurer with a human touch and a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible working, and comprehensive health insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping financial performance and driving operational efficiency.
- Qualifications: Strong finance background with excellent communication and leadership skills.
- Other info: Be part of an award-winning team committed to diversity and sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Primary Details
- Time Type: Full time
- Worker Type: Employee
- Permanent (Hybrid)
- Location: Brussels or London
About QBE
At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers — and we do it with a human touch. We’re an international insurer with over 13,000 people across 26 countries, which means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a meaningful impact. It’s an exciting time to join us as we continue building momentum towards our vision of becoming the most consistent and innovative risk partner.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a Senior Finance Business Partner to lead all aspects of business partnering across a division of QBE European Operations. This is a key strategic role where you will provide credible insight, challenge decision‑making, and help QBE Re achieve its goals through strong financial leadership. What sets this opportunity apart is the breadth of influence you’ll hold — shaping financial performance, driving operational efficiency, strengthening decision frameworks, and leading a high‑performing team in a complex, fast‑moving environment.
Your New Role
In this role, you’ll act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership, bringing clarity, commercial challenge, and forward‑looking insight that drives stronger business outcomes. You’ll play a central role in ensuring accuracy of financial results, leading key projects from a finance perspective, and embedding best practice across planning, reporting and cost management.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead the Business Partnering strategy across the division, proactively managing key relationships and supporting change management and senior decision‑making.
- Lead the financial planning and reforecasting processes across the division’s cost base.
- Challenge expense plans to ensure delivery within budget and partner with senior management on cost‑saving initiatives.
- Drive ad hoc operational efficiency projects to improve financial discipline and commercial awareness.
- Establish management board expectations and lead standardisation across a complex decision‑making matrix.
- Work with EO and Group Finance teams to continuously update, improve and redesign management reporting.
- Direct the preparation and consolidation of the division’s budget in support of the overall EO finance plan.
- Provide regular, standardised management information and lead ad hoc analysis to support business decisions.
- Lead monthly commentary, analysis and communication across the division.
About You
This role offers the opportunity to shape how finance supports the business and influences decision‑making. You’ll enjoy working in an environment where you can collaborate with senior leaders, offer thoughtful challenge, and help build financial understanding across the division. You bring a practical mindset, a focus on partnership, and an interest in helping others make well‑informed decisions. You’ll also feel comfortable guiding improvements across processes, supporting change, and contributing to a more consistent and transparent financial framework. You value clarity, open communication and a team culture where people learn from each other.
What You’ll Need
- Ability to build effective working relationships across the business.
- Comfortable engaging with and influencing senior colleagues when priorities need to align.
- Ability to explain finance concepts in a clear and accessible way to non‑finance audiences.
- Comfortable offering challenge when needed in a constructive, solutions‑focused way.
- Clear communication skills that support understanding across different groups.
- Ability to represent Finance in conversations with stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to navigate discussions, facilitate agreement and support informed decisions.
- A solid foundation in accounting principles and management information.
- Experience leading people, processes or projects within a finance environment.
- Ability to identify options, solve problems and support practical outcomes in a complex organisation.
- Background in management accounting within a business‑facing or stakeholder‑focused role.
- Experience contributing to or leading project or change work.
- Experience gained within industry or financial services.
Benefits
- 30 days holiday a year with the option to buy up to 2 additional days.
- Flexible working – balancing work and life is important so our flexible working opportunities are open to all, this can include part‑time, job share and compressed hours.
- Pension – you are automatically enrolled into the QBE pension plan, which entitles you to receive employer contributions of 10% of your basic salary.
- Private medical insurance – we fund fully comprehensive private medical cover for you and all the family.
- Family friendly policies – we offer 26 weeks leave at full pay regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation or how you become a parent.
- Short term remote work abroad – you can request up to 20 days per year to work remotely from certain locations abroad.
- Sustainable investing – we believe sustainable integration is important for long term financial, environmental, and social outcomes.
- Cycle-to-Work – benefit from regular exercise whilst making your commute greener and cheaper, select and bike and/or accessories up to the value of £5,000.
Awards & Recognition
We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:
- Winner of Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award 2025 at the Insurance Business Australia Awards.
- Winner: Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year, Winner: Reinsurer of the Year - QBE Re, Winner: ESG, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year, Winner: Insurance Personality of the Year - Chris Wallace, Executive Director UK insurance at the Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2025.
- Winner: Network Management of the Year at the AXCO Global Insurance Awards 2024.
- QBE rated as a 5-Star Cyber Insurer at the Insurance Business UK 5-Star Cyber Awards 2024.
- Winner: Green Technology Innovation of the Year at the UK IT Industry Awards 2023.
- Winner: Parental Policies Award at the Working Dads Employer Awards 2023.
- QBE rated as a 5-Star Employee at the Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2023.
Skills
- Analytical Thinking
- Coaching for success
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Financial Data Reporting
- Financial Forecasting
- Financial Management
- Financial Regulation
- Influencing
- Intentional collaboration
- Managing performance
- Navigating ambiguity
- Process Improvements
- Reporting and Analysis
- Stakeholder Management
How to Apply
To submit your application, click Apply and follow the step by step process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.
Senior Finance Business Partner employer: QBE Europe
Contact Detail:
QBE Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Senior Finance Business Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching QBE and understanding their values. We want to see how you can align with their mission of being a consistent and innovative risk partner. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial storytelling! You’ll need to explain complex finance concepts clearly to non-finance folks. We suggest rehearsing with friends or family to get comfortable with your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Finance Business Partner role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially in financial leadership and business partnering.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell your story! Explain why you're passionate about this role at QBE and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your ability to influence senior colleagues and drive operational efficiency.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to show how you've contributed to financial performance and decision-making.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at QBE Europe
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to QBE and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to influence senior management and lead financial planning processes. Think about times when you’ve challenged expense plans or driven operational efficiency projects, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain complex finance concepts to non-finance audiences. Practice simplifying your explanations and think of ways to make your insights accessible. This will show your ability to bridge the gap between finance and other departments.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to build effective working relationships. Prepare to discuss how you’ve collaborated with different teams and influenced stakeholders at various levels. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how they’ve contributed to successful outcomes.