Finance Business Partner

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Finance Business Partner to join our team on a two-year fixed-term role to provide financial support to our Transformation programme. 

The role will provide high-quality financial management, advisory support, and strategic guidance to the Transformation leadership team across a varied portfolio of projects. Working closely with senior academic and professional service leaders, you’ll help shape informed decision-making, support effective budget management, track and record programme benefits and contribute to delivering University wide benefit from the programme. 

As a Finance Business Partner supporting our Transformation programme, you will: 

• Work closely with senior leaders to turn financial data into clear, actionable insights
• Present concise performance updates and recommendations
• Prepare benefit cases and track progress against a range of projects
• Assist with preparation of business cases to support strategic investments and long-term planning
• Promote best practice across the finance team 

We’re looking for individuals with significant experience in management accounting and reporting within a complex organisation, and the ability to translate financial information for non-finance colleagues. You’ll bring a proactive, solutions-focused mindset, be comfortable working independently, and adopt a collaborative, team-oriented approach. We welcome and value diverse perspectives and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. 

To provide a comprehensive financial management, advisory and guidance service to support our Transformation programme.

If you’re ready to advance your finance career while helping shape the future of a world-class University, we’d love to hear from you. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be addressed to Neil Bonnington, neil.bonnington@newcastle.ac.uk.

Please note this is a full time, fixed term position for 24 months.

Please upload a CV and cover letter when applying. 

Interviews will be held on the 1st july 2026

Key Accountabilities

• Provide key financial support to the Director of Transformation, Director of Financial Performance and their senior teams, including regular reporting and presentation of performance
• Provide a pivotal role in the preparation of transformation benefit cases, plans and quarterly financial forecasts to feed into budget areas and ensure compliance with agreed financial standards
• Implement an effective review process to support transformation work, including tracking programme benefits to meet the expectations of the Director of Transformation 
• Contribute to the continued development and improvement of financial reports to support accurate financial analysis and the production of commentaries
• Present and discuss reporting with local area leadership, review and summarise the results and recommend appropriate actions
• Advise colleagues on financial related issues, including across the wider finance and transformation teams
• Ensure effective financial control and adherence to University policies and procedures is maintained within the local area
• Provide input, monitor and comment on Key Performance Indicators as agreed with the Transformation team to inform management decisions by the local area
• Build financial capability within the local area by preparing and delivering of training, workshops and guidance
• Work collaboratively with the wider Financial Performance team and other Finance colleagues to ensure consistency and share best practice
• To undertake any other duties as required, this includes the cover of other Finance Business partner roles as necessary

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Strong oral and written communication skills for financial information delivery across varying levels of understanding
• Advanced IT proficiency (e.g. Microsoft Office, SAP) and familiarity with data systems like data warehouses
• Significant experience in management accounting and reporting
• Skilled in analysing complex data using structured techniques and identifying trends
• Experienced in working within large, complex organisations to support cross-functional collaboration
• Competent in planning workloads, managing tasks, and maintaining accurate records and audit trails
• Effective communicator who tailors messages appropriately across various formats and audiences

Attributes and Behaviour

• Analytical mindset with the ability to identify key issues and probe deeper into data
• Organised and detail-oriented, with a structured and methodical approach to work
• Time-efficient and prioritises effectively to meet deadlines and objectives
• Customer-focused attitude, valuing collaboration and service excellence
• Clear, concise communicator who adapts tone and delivery to audience needs
• Positively engaged, taking ownership of tasks and showing commitment to improvement
• Understands organisational goals, sensitive to wider priorities, and aligned with team objectives

Qualifications

• Part or qualified CCAB Accountant or other relevant qualification, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience, or equivalent standard by experience.