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: Competitive salary, private healthcare, bonus scheme, and extensive career development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid work structure and a diverse, inclusive workplace.
- 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 in London 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 strong 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 a dynamic work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for career development while supporting critical defence operations across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner - Defence in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Defence sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Serco and understanding their role in Defence. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around financial performance and stakeholder management.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your commercial acumen! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've driven transformation or improved operational efficiencies in previous roles. This will demonstrate your value as a Finance Business Partner.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Serco.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner - Defence in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in the Defence sector and any relevant financial achievements. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
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 can drive financial performance in our Defence business. Keep it engaging and personal.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In your application, emphasise your experience in managing senior stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who can confidently challenge and influence decision-making, so share examples that demonstrate your capabilities.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco North America
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you’ll need to be on top of your financial game. 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 a numbers person but someone who understands the bigger picture.
✨Understand the Defence Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in the Defence sector. Being able to speak knowledgeably about recent developments or changes in policy will impress your interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Analysis
Since this role involves long-range planning and scenario analysis, think through potential scenarios that could affect financial performance. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach these situations and what insights you could provide to support decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
This position requires strong stakeholder management, so come equipped with examples of how you've successfully influenced senior leaders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to simplify complex financial information to make it accessible for non-financial stakeholders.
