Senior Finance Business Partner

The opportunity

Are you a highly skilled and experienced financial professional ready to make a significant impact? The University of the Arts London (UAL) is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to play a pivotal role in managing and shaping our financial resources. This is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about driving financial success, fostering collaboration, and supporting long-term sustainability in a dynamic environment.

As Senior Finance Business Partner, you will engage closely with budget managers across UAL to ensure financial resilience and success. You will provide strategic financial insight, work cross-functionally to influence decision-making, and ensure the alignment of financial strategies with UAL’s long-term goals. Your role will be integral in ensuring that we continue to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape, using your expertise to drive effective financial planning, risk management, and strategic forecasting.

You shall have the opportunity to work on – 

• Financial Planning & Analysis: Leading financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting to ensure financial success.
• Strategic Insights: Providing in-depth financial analysis to assess and support the delivery of UAL’s strategic objectives.
• Business Partnering: Collaborating with senior leaders and operational teams to understand priorities, manage financial risks, and optimize resources.
• Budget Management: Partnering with stakeholders to develop, review, and manage both annual and ongoing budgets.
• Forecasting: Developing detailed forecasts to monitor and guide spend across key areas of the university.
• Cost Control: Ensuring costs are accurately recorded on UAL’s finance management system, providing regular financial updates.
• Annual Budget Cycle: Playing an active role in the annual budget-setting process, ensuring timely preparation of all reviews and costings.
• Team Leadership: Managing, coaching, and supervising Finance Business Partners and Junior Finance Business Partners, supporting their development and growth.

About you

You are an experienced financial professional with a proven track record of success in a similar business partnering or financial management role. You bring a deep understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, combined with the ability to influence key stakeholders at all levels. You thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are passionate about using your skills to contribute to long-term strategic goals.

To meet the candidate requirements you will have –

• A professional accounting qualification, namely ACA, CIPFA ACCA, CIMA, (or equivalent).
• Strong experience in financial management, with a deep understanding of budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders across an organization.
• Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to provide clear and actionable financial insights.
• Experience managing and developing finance teams.
• A strategic mindset, with a focus on driving long-term financial sustainability and growth.

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

Our culture

We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That’s why we are proud to be members of the Race Equality Charter (REC) and Business Disability Forum, are a Disability Confident Scheme Committed and Living Wage employer and maintain our status as a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Application process

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding.

We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page.

Apply

Candidates are advised to submit applications early.

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