At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with Defence leaders to drive financial performance and support strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join Serco, a leader in Defence services with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, bonus scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career development opportunities and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in Defence operations while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with Defence sector experience and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary - Competitive + Strong Benefits Package
Permanent - Full Time
Hybrid role with expectations to travel nationally
At Serco, our Defence business plays a critical role in supporting military capability, operational readiness, and essential defence services across the UK. We are looking for an experienced Finance Business Partner with a strong Defence sector background to support a complex and operationally focused portfolio.
This role is a key strategic finance position within our Defence business unit, partnering directly with operational and commercial leaders to drive financial performance, support growth, and influence decision-making across critical services and contracts.
You will operate in a fast-paced environment where strong stakeholder management, commercial judgement, and resilience are essential. This role requires someone who can confidently challenge senior leaders, navigate complexity, and provide meaningful insight that improves operational and financial outcomes.
What you’ll be doing:
- Partner with Defence business leaders to provide strategic financial and commercial support
- Deliver insight and analysis to support profitable and sustainable contract performance
- Lead long-range planning, and scenario analysis activities
- Support operational leaders in understanding financial performance, risks, and opportunities
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify efficiencies across contracts and services
- Provide commercial support around contract changes, rebids, extensions, and customer negotiations
- Challenge assumptions and influence decision-making to improve business performance
- Work closely with operational, commercial, and finance teams across the wider business
- Support governance and ensure strong financial control and accountability
What we’re looking for:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
- Previous experience within the Defence sector is essential
- Strong commercial finance and business partnering background within a complex operational environment
- Experience supporting large-scale contracts, programmes, or service-based operations
- Excellent senior stakeholder management and influencing capability
- Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex financial information
- Experience driving transformation, process improvement, or operational efficiencies
- Ability to operate with confidence, credibility, and resilience in a demanding environment
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance operational priorities and financial performance
Additional Requirements:
- Must currently hold, or be eligible and willing to undergo, SC (Security Check) Clearance
Why join us:
This is an opportunity to join a highly visible finance team supporting critical Defence operations and services. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, contribute to strategic decision-making, and play a key role in driving performance and continuous improvement across an important area of the business.
What we offer:
- Company car / £4200 cash alternative
- Private healthcare
- Bonus scheme of up to 20%
- Pension - 6%
- Serco discounts including cinema, Merlin Entertainment and online shopping discounts, and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships
- A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Simply Health Cash Plans, and more
- A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role-specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco
At Serco, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. We encourage applications from diverse candidate pools and are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas.
Finance Business Partner - Defence employer: Serco North America
At Serco, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for those in the Finance Business Partner role within our Defence sector. Our hybrid work model, competitive salary, and robust benefits package, including private healthcare and a generous bonus scheme, reflect our commitment to employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, we offer extensive career development opportunities, ensuring that you can thrive while contributing to critical defence operations across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner - Defence
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the Defence sector! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with current Finance Business Partners or hiring managers in the Defence field. This is your chance to learn about their experiences and get insider tips on what Serco looks for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the role!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven financial performance or improved processes in previous roles. We want to see your commercial acumen in action, so have those stories ready to go when you land that interview!
✨Follow Up Like a Boss
After your interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you email! It’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the position and remind them why you’re the perfect fit. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner - Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in the Defence sector and any relevant financial achievements. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with what we’re looking for. Don’t forget to mention your stakeholder management experience!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to drive performance. Numbers speak volumes, so include metrics where possible to back up your claims!
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 ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco North America
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the Defence sector and be ready to discuss how they impact operational performance. This shows you’re not just familiar with numbers but can also apply them strategically.
✨Understand the Defence Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in the Defence sector. Being able to discuss recent developments or changes in government policy will impress your interviewers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to analyse complex situations or make decisions based on hypothetical scenarios. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as this will showcase your commercial judgement and ability to influence decision-making.
✨Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills
Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve successfully managed relationships with senior stakeholders. Highlight instances where you’ve had to challenge assumptions or drive change, as this aligns perfectly with the expectations of the role.
