Senior Finance Business Partner

Senior Finance Business Partner – Education (Interim, 6 Months) Remote | 37 hours per week | Inside IR35 PAYE: £327.45 per day | Umbrella: £450.01 per day Start date: 25 May 2026 The Opportunity We're working with a large public sector organisation to find an experienced Senior Finance Business Partner for an exciting interim opportunity supporting a busy education function. This is a key role within a collaborative finance team, where you'll take the lead on financial planning, forecasting and monitoring across a wide range of education budgets — including DSG budgets, transport, statutory services and traded education services. You'll work closely with finance colleagues and education leaders alike, providing expert financial insight to ensure resources are deployed effectively in support of children and young people. You'll also help support a small team of Finance Business Partners, contributing to a high-quality, resilient finance service at a time when it really matters. What You'll Be Doing * Delivering clear, accurate financial analysis and reporting to inform strategic and operational decisions * Supporting budget holders with financial planning, monitoring and compliance * Contributing to the development and delivery of financial strategies alongside senior colleagues * Building strong, trusted relationships with services and offering proactive financial advice and challenge * Identifying financial risks and opportunities, and supporting mitigation and cost-saving plans * Playing an active part in financial projects, service reviews and continuous improvement initiatives What We're Looking For Essential: * In-depth understanding of financial management principles and practices * Knowledge of public sector finance and procurement regulations * Familiarity with financial reporting standards and compliance requirements * Experience in budget management, financial planning and analysis * Demonstrated ability to prepare and present financial reports to senior stakeholders * Experience in identifying and managing financial risk * Professional accounting qualification (MAAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA) — or qualified by experience, studying towards, or committed to study * Supervisory experience, including contributing at a senior management level * Strong analytical, communication and presentation skills * Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office Desirable: * Experience in local government or broader public sector finance * Experience leading financial projects and initiatives * Degree in finance, accounting or a related field * Strong influencing skills and the ability to drive change * Negotiation and conflict resolution skills The Details This is a temporary, remote role for an initial period of 18 weeks, working 37 hours per week. The position falls inside IR35. Interviews will be held online via Teams on 27 May 2026 and will be informal in format — expect a conversation about your background, experience and examples of relevant work. If you're a confident finance professional with a public sector mindset and a passion for making resources work harder for the people who need them most, we'd love to hear from you. To apply, please submit your CV along with the required compliance documentation