At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Finance Business Partner, providing strategic financial support for the Armed Forces Recruitment Services.
- Company: Serco delivers essential public services globally, impacting defence, transport, healthcare, and more.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private healthcare, a bonus scheme, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference in vital public services while growing your career in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification and experience in financial planning & analysis are essential.
- Other info: We value diversity and inclusion, offering a hybrid work structure and support for all candidates.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Finance Business Partner – Armed Forces Recruitment Services
Finance Business Partner – Armed Forces Recruitment Services
Hybrid – MOD Abbeywood, Bristol
Full Time, Permanent
Band 2 / Competitive Salary
At Serco, we make a difference every day by delivering essential public services on behalf of government. Now, we are seeking a high-performing Finance Business Partner (FBP) to join us on the landmark Armed Forces Recruitment Services (AFRS) contract – a billion-pound, high-profile defence win with national importance.
Following a successful bid, the contract is now in a two-year mobilisation phase (until March 2027), ahead of full delivery from April 2027. With our customer based at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol, this role offers exceptional visibility, scale, and challenge – ideal for a motivated FBP ready to help shape the financial and strategic roadmap of this flagship contract.
As Finance Business Partner, you\’ll provide strategic financial support to the AFRS mobilisation team. This includes working closely with the Finance Director, offshore shared service teams, and operational leads to deliver accurate reporting, robust forecasting, and commercial insight in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment. You\’ll play a key role in ensuring the contract\’s transition from mobilisation to delivery is financially sound, audit-ready, and aligned with Serco\’s wider business objectives.
As part of this you\’ll:
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across the AFRS programme
- Build and manage detailed financial models to support contract planning and scenario analysis
- Collaborate with the offshore shared service centre to ensure accuracy and consistency in financial reporting
- Monitor and analyse performance against budget, highlighting risks and recommending mitigations
- Support mobilisation of core services (including IT delivery and large-scale recruitment operations) through robust financial oversight
- Prepare financial reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, including MOD clients and consortium partners
- Ensure compliance with internal controls and open-book contract obligations
- Provide finance training and support to non-finance managers involved in contract delivery
What you\’ll need to do the role:
- Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA)
- Proven experience in financial planning & analysis, ideally in a business partnering role
- Strong modelling and data interpretation skills – Excel proficiency is essential
- Commercially astute, with the ability to translate numbers into strategic insight
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to challenge, influence, and advise senior stakeholders
- Strong attention to detail and an ability to operate under pressure with competing priorities
- Experience supporting complex, large-scale contracts or mobilisation programmes preferred
- Knowledge of open book accounting and MOD/government contracting advantageous
Why Serco:
Meaningful and vital work: In this position, your work is vital to the business, in terms of decisions and growth. You will gain a world of opportunity working for a globally operating business delivering essential services across 5 vital sectors, personal growth, achievement and development won\’t be hard to find. You\’ll also work with great people. You\’ll find yourself working in a highly motivated, supportive environment where no two days are the same, with experienced colleagues who strive for excellence.
What we offer:
- Company car / £4200 cash alternative
- Private healthcare
- Bonus scheme of 10% on target and 20% exceeding targets
- Flexible working considered
- Pension – 6%
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services
- A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the \’Ban the Box\’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.
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Finance Business Partner - Armed Forces Recruitment Services employer: Serco Group plc
Contact Detail:
Serco Group plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner - Armed Forces Recruitment Services
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Armed Forces Recruitment Services (AFRS) contract and its objectives. Understanding the specific challenges and goals of this high-profile project will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how your skills can contribute to its success during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the defence sector, particularly those who have experience with MOD contracts. Engaging with industry contacts can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your financial modelling and data interpretation skills, especially in Excel. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in these areas during discussions will set you apart as a candidate who can handle the complexities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in financial planning and analysis, particularly in business partnering roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders and contributed to strategic decision-making in previous positions.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner - Armed Forces Recruitment Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial planning and analysis, particularly in business partnering roles. Emphasise your professional accounting qualifications and any experience with large-scale contracts or mobilisation programmes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the impact you can make as a Finance Business Partner. Mention specific skills such as Excel proficiency and your ability to provide strategic insights, which are crucial for this position.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight your strong modelling and data interpretation skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've used these skills to influence decision-making or improve financial reporting in previous roles.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with open book accounting and government contracting. Be ready to discuss how you've managed financial oversight in complex projects and how you can contribute to the AFRS mobilisation team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco Group plc
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Finance Business Partner, especially in the context of the Armed Forces Recruitment Services. Familiarise yourself with key terms like financial modelling, reporting, and compliance to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Qualifications
Highlight your professional accounting qualifications (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) and relevant experience in financial planning and analysis. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've successfully partnered with business leaders to drive financial performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex financial situations. Practice articulating how you would approach financial oversight during the mobilisation phase of a large-scale contract.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Since the role involves advising senior stakeholders, practice conveying complex financial information in a clear and concise manner. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced decision-making in previous roles through effective communication.