Finance Business Partner

The University of Buckingham has a unique atmosphere, unlike that of any other higher educational institution. Despite being the UK’s smallest university and the only independent university to hold a Royal Charter, Buckingham has staff from over 60 countries, making it a truly distinctive work environment. Whichever of our locations you find yourself working in, you will be sure to feel a part of our friendly community. Our size enables us to foster a very personalised, supportive, inclusive and collaborative environment, with lots of opportunity for development, something which we are very proud of.

The Corporate and Professional Services departments are the cornerstone of the University. They each provide essential and valuable support to both each other and the Academic departments, helping the University to function in the most efficient and productive way, ensuring that the students’ experience is second to none.

**Our Finance Planning & Analysis Team is looking for a Finance Business Partner to join our small diverse team of individuals. This position involves working with the budget holders across the University, whilst business partnering and working collectively with colleagues and stakeholders. The FBP team provides planning and financial management services which ensures efficient and effective financial and business planning, balancing of resources and reporting across the University. Essentials for the role are therefore being comfortable with face-to-face meetings, being numerically efficient, being excel literate, having good communication skills and having the desire to investigate and make sure things are correctly accounted, in order to facilitate accurate reporting. Promote collaboration and teamwork across the whole of finance and the wider university is a must. Previous experience in a similar capacity with a financial qualification will be required to be successful in the role and you will need to be of a patient nature, enjoy a busy environment, be able to work under pressure with stringent deadlines and be willing to help others in their tasks where needed.**
- What can we offer you?_

We might be small, but we can still offer plenty of perks In addition to an Aviva Pension scheme, we offer:

- Beautiful working environments across our campuses in Buckingham and Crewe, with plenty of space
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Christmas closure
- On-site gym and exercise classes
- On-site catering facilities
- University bookshop with staff discount (Buckingham)
- Free access to LinkedIn Learning courses
- Free on-site parking
- Excellent opportunities to network and continue learning across a variety of departments
- Nursery on-site at our Crewe campus
- Discount of courses for staff and their families

**Role Purpose**:
The primary purpose of the role is to work with budget holders across the University to ensure financial resources are manged effectively in pursuit of our long-term strategic objectives and short-term financial management and performance demands.

Through the business partnering approach, working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders, the FBP team provides planning and financial management services which ensures efficient and effective financial and business planning, balancing of resources and reporting across the University.

**Skills & Experience**:
**Education and Training**
- CCAB qualified/part qualified or equivalent or QBE
- Relevant degree or NVQ Level 4
- Evidence of and a commitment to continuous professional development
- Membership or trainee of a professional body

**Experience and Knowledge**

The person will have experience as a qualified accountant and will need to demonstrate experience and achievement in the following competencies:

- Team Leadership_

Understanding and able to navigate the inter-relationship between different teams and their impact, helping to build beneficial working relationships across the teams, offering appropriate support, feedback, and guidance. Be comfortable working in a matrix organisational structure where there is a requirement to influence effectively without direct authority.
- Communication_

Conveying information that needs careful explanation or interpretation, including technical finance concepts, taking into account what to communicate and how best to convey information to others. Have effective and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with staff at senior levels within the University and with members of Council. Possessing good written and verbal communication skills.
- Liaison_

Building positive reputation for Finance, participating in and leading internal networks to influence developments. Establish and maintain productive relationships within the University of Buckingham.
- Service Delivery_
- Possessing good financial management skills plus ability to contribute to improvements in financial planning and partnering. Contribute to the implementation of new