At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic financial leadership and insight to drive business performance.
- Company: Join Unum UK, a specialist employee benefits provider focused on healthy workplaces.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, career development opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Influence key business decisions and shape the future of finance at Unum.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with experience in Business Partnering and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Who are we? We’re a specialist employee benefits provider, striving to create healthy, happy workplaces. As part of the international Unum Group, we’re on a collective mission to help the working world thrive.
The role
What will you be doing? To provide strategic financial leadership and insight across the organisation, enabling evidenced based decision making, driving value for money using financial modelling and analysis. Act as a key advisor to senior leadership, supporting business planning, business cases, performance management and investment decisions. Role supports Executive Committee and leadership teams to manage their budgets effectively, challenge spend and identify opportunities for cost optimisation.
What will you bring? Unum UK is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to join our FP&A team. This is a highly visible role that sits at the heart of key business decisions, partnering with senior leaders across Distribution, Marketing, Finance, HR and Change functions. You’ll provide commercial insight, challenge and financial leadership, helping shape strategy, optimise investment decisions and drive sustainable business performance. As a trusted advisor to the business, you will provide insightful financial analysis, challenge and support senior stakeholders, and help shape strategic priorities. You’ll play a key role in supporting strategic change and technology initiatives through financial leadership, investment appraisal and performance oversight. You will lead the production of monthly and quarterly management information, monitor key performance indicators and deliver clear, actionable insights that enable informed business decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with senior leaders to provide financial insight, challenge and support across strategic initiatives and operational performance.
- Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, influencing decision-making through insightful financial analysis, commercial challenge and strategic recommendations.
- Lead annual planning, budgeting and forecasting processes, incorporating market trends and economic factors into financial recommendations.
- Deliver high-quality management information, performance reporting and KPI analysis, translating financial data into meaningful business insight.
- Lead the financial evaluation of strategic initiatives, investment proposals and transformation programmes, ensuring robust business cases and clear measurement of benefits realisation.
- Advise senior stakeholders on the financial impacts, risks and opportunities associated with complex projects and business decisions.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability, optimise spend and maximise returns on strategic investments.
- Collaborate with Financial Reporting teams to ensure alignment between actual performance and forecasts, providing clear explanations of key variances.
- Support and influence business transformation, change and process improvement initiatives, driving greater efficiency, effectiveness and value across the organisation.
- Build strong relationships across Finance and the wider business, acting as a trusted finance partner and subject matter expert.
- Coach and support junior team members, contributing to a collaborative, high-performing and inclusive team environment.
What You’ll Bring
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience in Business Partnering, FP&A or Commercial Finance roles.
- Proven experience partnering with Technology, Change and Transformation functions on complex programmes, portfolios or projects.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to assess financial performance and influence strategic decision-making.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the confidence and credibility to engage, challenge and influence senior leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, build credibility quickly and drive outcomes across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information in a clear, concise and compelling way.
- A natural storyteller, able to translate financial data into meaningful business narratives and actionable recommendations.
- Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, with a focus on accuracy, efficiency and continuous improvement.
- Experience within insurance or financial services would be advantageous, as would a passion for transformation, innovation and process improvement.
Why Join Unum? At Unum, you’ll join a collaborative and forward-thinking finance team where you’ll have the opportunity to influence senior decision‑making, contribute to business transformation and play a key role in shaping the future performance of the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys working in a dynamic environment and partnering with leaders to deliver meaningful business outcomes.
Career Development
This is an ideal opportunity for an ambitious finance professional looking to take the next step in their career. The breadth of stakeholder exposure, involvement in strategic investment decisions and participation in major business and transformation initiatives will provide exceptional development opportunities. You’ll work closely with senior leaders across the business, gaining visibility and influence beyond Finance while developing the skills and experience needed to progress into broader strategic finance roles within Unum.
Location Hybrid working with offices in Dorking, London or Basingstoke.
Why join us? At Unum, we’ve created a workplace where people feel supported to progress and grow, and can see their ambitions coming to life. As a part of our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace, we actively encourage applications from those with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions. If you meet the essential criteria for the role and choose to opt in to the scheme during your application, you will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
Disability Assistance
If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to careers@unum.co.uk. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.
Senior Finance Business Partner in Dorking employer: Unum UK
At Unum, we pride ourselves on being a leading employee benefits provider that fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment in Dorking. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our generous benefits package, including performance-based incentives, extensive health support, and opportunities for professional development, making us an excellent employer for actuaries looking to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner in Dorking
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Unum UK. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner in Dorking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Unum UK.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Unum UK's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unum UK
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Unum UK.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Unum UK will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Unum UK employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
