Finance Business Partner

Finance Business Partner

Full-Time 70000 - 85000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Serco

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Analyse data and provide financial insights to improve operational performance.
  • Company: Join Serco, a leader in delivering essential public services worldwide.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, bonus, private medical insurance, and pension.
  • Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion while enjoying flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on decision-making and operational efficiency in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong analytical skills and experience in finance business partnering.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.

Full Time – Permanent

Warrington based / Hybrid – 3 days a week in the office

£70,000 - £85,000 dependent on experience plus company car/allowance, bonus, private medical insurance and pension up to 6%

At Serco, our Finance teams play a vital role in supporting operational performance through data-led insight, financial analysis, and informed decision-making. We are looking for a commercially aware Finance Business Partner to support our Electronic Monitoring Services (EMS) business, helping operational leaders understand performance, identify efficiencies, and drive continuous improvement across a complex operational environment.

The opportunity

This role is heavily focused on operational performance analysis, financial insight, and decision support rather than external customer or commercial negotiations. You will work closely with operational stakeholders to transform financial and non-financial data into meaningful insight that supports day-to-day performance management and longer-term operational improvement. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, understanding operational trends, and partnering with leaders to improve business performance in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment.

What you’ll be doing

  • Partner with operational leaders to provide financial and operational insight across the EMS portfolio
  • Analyse large and complex datasets to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and performance drivers
  • Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities aligned to operational performance
  • Deliver meaningful reporting and analysis to support business decision-making
  • Monitor KPIs and operational metrics, providing recommendations to improve efficiency and performance
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives through root cause analysis and data-led recommendations
  • Support cost optimisation and operational efficiency projects across services and contracts
  • Collaborate with wider finance teams and shared services to ensure accuracy of financial information and forecasts
  • Champion the use of technology, automation, and digital tools to improve reporting and analysis capability
  • Translate complex financial and operational data into clear, concise insight for non-finance stakeholders

What we’re looking for

  • Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
  • Strong experience in finance business partnering, FP&A, or operational finance roles
  • Advanced analytical capability with experience interpreting operational and financial data
  • Strong Excel and reporting skills, with experience using data visualisation and analytical tools such as Power BI advantageous
  • Experience supporting operational or service-led environments with high volumes of data
  • Ability to identify trends, challenge assumptions, and provide practical recommendations
  • Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to communicate insight clearly and confidently
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving, and operationally focused environment
  • Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
  • Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to join a business that delivers critical public services while working in a role that has direct impact on operational performance and decision-making. You’ll work closely with operational leaders, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, and play a key role in shaping how data and insight are used to improve performance across EMS. If you enjoy turning data into insight, partnering with operational teams, and driving performance improvement, we’d love to hear from you.

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 In@Serco (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.

Finance Business Partner employer: Serco

At Serco, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values diversity and inclusion while delivering critical public services. As a Finance Business Partner in Warrington, you'll enjoy a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance and a pension scheme, all while having the opportunity to drive meaningful operational improvements and partner with leaders in a fast-paced environment. Join us to be part of a team that not only values your contributions but also supports your professional growth through access to global employee networks and continuous improvement initiatives.

Serco

Contact Details:

Serco Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work at Serco or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the EMS business. Understand their operational performance metrics and think of ways you can add value. Show them you’re not just a numbers person but a strategic partner!

Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've turned complex data into actionable insights. This will help you connect with the operational leaders during the interview.

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 serious about joining the team at Serco.

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner

Financial Analysis
Data Analysis
Operational Performance Analysis
Budgeting and Forecasting
Reporting Skills
Excel Proficiency
Data Visualisation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in finance business partnering and operational performance analysis, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves analysing large datasets, be sure to showcase your analytical capabilities. Mention any tools you’ve used, like Excel or Power BI, and provide examples of how you've turned data into actionable insights. We love a good data story!

Engage with Stakeholders:Demonstrate your strong stakeholder engagement skills in your application. Share experiences where you've communicated complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders. This will show us that you can bridge the gap between finance and operations effectively.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, applying early can help you avoid missing out due to high volumes of applications. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Serco

Know Your Numbers

As a Finance Business Partner, you'll be expected to analyse complex datasets. Brush up on your financial metrics and KPIs relevant to the EMS portfolio. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive performance improvements in past roles.

Speak Their Language

You'll be collaborating with operational leaders, so it's crucial to translate financial jargon into clear insights. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms, ensuring you can communicate effectively with non-finance stakeholders.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare examples of how you've identified trends and provided actionable recommendations based on data analysis. Highlight your experience with tools like Excel and Power BI, as these will be key in your role.

Emphasise Continuous Improvement

Serco values a proactive mindset focused on operational excellence. Be ready to discuss specific initiatives you've led or contributed to that improved efficiency or performance. This shows you're not just about numbers but also about making a real impact.