At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive financial performance and support decision-making in a dynamic custodial environment.
- Company: Join Serco, a leader in delivering essential services that impact communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, company car or allowance, private medical insurance, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Engage in a challenging yet rewarding role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working closely with senior leaders in a visible role.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong finance partnering experience in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Hook, Hampshire, GB, RG27 9UY
Location: Flexible / Hybrid – requirement for travel to various locations including London/Hook
Competitive base salary + Bonus + Company car or car allowance + PMI x2 and 10% contributory pension.
Division: Justice & Immigration.
At Serco, we deliver essential services that make a real difference to people and communities. We are now looking for a Senior Finance Business Partner to join our Justice & Immigration business, supporting our evolving Custodial portfolio. This is a highly visible and commercially focused leadership role where you will partner with senior operational leaders across our custodial estate, helping to drive performance, influence strategic decision-making and support sustainable growth.
About the role
As Senior Finance Business Partner, you will provide dedicated commercial and financial support across our portfolio of prison contracts operating in a complex and highly regulated environment across England. You will act as a trusted advisor to operational and contract leaders, translating financial and operational data into clear insight that drives performance, efficiency and better decision-making. A key part of the role is ensuring contracts remain financially on track, identifying risks and opportunities, and influencing stakeholders to take appropriate corrective action. This role requires regular engagement on site, and candidates must be comfortable visiting prisons and working within secure environments.
Key responsibilities
- Collaborating with the financial services hub to ensure accuracy of financial records, compliance and financial plans that the hub produce.
- Act as a trusted, visible and accessible point of contact to business leaders; providing strategic, commercial and financial decision making.
- Drive commercial and operational efficiency improvements through data‑led insight and analysis.
- Ensure budgets are aligned with business direction and that there are plans in place to achieve committed financial targets.
- Translates complex financial data into compelling narratives tailored to diverse audiences.
What you’ll need
- Preferably qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Strong Finance Business Partnering experience in complex, operational or service‑led environments
- Experience in FM, custodial, public sector, infrastructure or similarly workforce‑intensive environments is highly beneficial
- Ability to operate confidently in stakeholder environments where financial literacy varies significantly
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders
- Experience working with large, complex contracts and operational delivery teams
- Strong analytical capability and ability to turn data into actionable insight
- Comfortable working in secure environments and visiting prison sites
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
Additional requirements
- Ability to achieve DBS & BPSS clearance required
Senior Finance Business Partner - Custodial in Hook employer: Serco
At Serco, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation. As a Senior Finance Business Partner in Hook, Hampshire, you will enjoy competitive benefits including a bonus, company car or allowance, and a contributory pension, all while contributing to meaningful services that impact communities. With opportunities for professional growth and the chance to engage with senior leaders in a complex environment, Serco is committed to supporting your career development in a role that truly makes a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner - Custodial in Hook
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and custodial sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face in the custodial sector. This will help us tailor your responses and show them you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience in finance business partnering and how it relates to the custodial environment. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have exclusive roles listed there that you won’t find anywhere else. Let’s get you that Senior Finance Business Partner role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner - Custodial in Hook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Finance Business Partner. Highlight your experience in finance business partnering, especially in complex environments like custodial or public sector. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decision-making and driven performance in previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves turning data into actionable insights, make sure to highlight your analytical capabilities. Give us examples of how you've used data to improve efficiency or drive commercial decisions. Numbers tell a story, so let yours speak!
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. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨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 the custodial sector and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive performance in previous roles.
✨Understand the Environment
Familiarise yourself with the complexities of working in a custodial environment. Research Serco's operations and the specific challenges they face in the Justice & Immigration division. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also in the impact of your work.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, think about examples from your past where you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder environments. Be ready to share how you translated financial data into actionable insights that led to better decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you've tailored financial narratives for diverse audiences. Practise explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms, as this will be crucial when engaging with operational leaders who may not have a finance background.
