This business partner post in North Somerset Council's finance team supports the Environment, Assets and Transport Services directorate, reporting to the S151 Officer. The work is strategic: advising the Director and senior leaders on budgets, the medium-term financial plan, capital investment and savings across highways, waste, leisure and major projects. It is primarily home-based with two to three days a week in the office, and includes managing a small team of finance staff. Full permission to work in the UK is required, as no sponsorship is offered.
What the job involves
- Give strategic financial insight and challenge to the Director and senior leaders within the annual revenue budget and MTFP cycles
- Prepare and present clear financial reports, turning complex data into business insight
- Identify efficiency savings, service transformation and alternative revenue streams
- Ensure financial governance and compliance with CIPFA codes, statutory requirements and local government finance best practice
- Build relationships across the organisation so financial and governance considerations shape service planning and delivery
- Oversee financial impacts of the capital programme, grant funding compliance and revenue budget monitoring
- Manage a small team of finance professionals supporting the directorate, mentoring colleagues and promoting continuous improvement
What's required
Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with a strong technical foundation
Experience
- Proven experience in local government finance, ideally in a senior business partnering or strategic finance role
- Track record of leading complex budget-setting and forecasting processes
- Track record of identifying and delivering financial savings and service transformation
- Experience supporting major capital programmes and investment decisions
Skills & knowledge
- Influential communicator who can build trust at senior levels, challenge leaders constructively and present financial narratives to non-financial audiences
- Strategic mindset, linking financial data to service outcomes and corporate priorities
- Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic public-sector environment, managing competing priorities with composure and integrity
Checks & eligibility
- Full permission to work in the UK, as sponsorship is not available
Nice to have
- Experience supporting environmental, transport, property or infrastructure services
- Experience developing and evaluating complex business cases and investment proposals
- Project or programme management qualification or equivalent experience
- Experience of financial modelling and scenario planning
- Knowledge of treasury, capital financing or asset management finance
- Experience supporting grant-funded programmes
What's offered
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Option to buy up to 10 additional days of annual leave each year
- Flexible working arrangements
- Opportunities for professional development
- In-house Wellbeing Team and employee assistance programme
- Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and electric vehicle schemes
- Inclusive staff groups, including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH and Young Staff Forums
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
