Senior Finance Business Partner

Location: Brighton

Salary: £49,920 – £65,520

Our client is more than just an educational institution; they are a vibrant community dedicated to nurturing creativity and empowering students to reach their full potential. With campuses across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, they offer a diverse range of courses in modern music, performing arts, filmmaking and creative technology. Their commitment to excellence in creative arts education sets them apart, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed in their chosen fields.

About the Role

As Senior Finance Business Partner, you will play a key role in supporting informed decision making across the University by delivering high quality management reporting, financial planning and analysis. Working closely with senior managers and budget holders, you will translate financial data into clear, actionable insight, support effective cost management, and help ensure financial commitments are well understood and delivered. The role combines strong technical accounting expertise with business partnering, focusing on adding value and supporting both operational and strategic decision making.

What You'll Do:

• Produce accurate and timely monthly management accounts for designated business areas.
• Prepare and process monthly journals including accruals, prepayments and recharges.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations and investigate any variances or outstanding items.
• Support the annual budgeting, forecasting and planning cycle alongside senior stakeholders.
• Deliver monthly reporting and detailed financial analysis to Senior Business Managers and respond to ad hoc requests for information.
• Build effective working relationships with budget holders to support financial management and cost control.
• Work with Finance Operations colleagues to maintain the accounting system, including updates to general ledger structures.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment across the wider finance function.
• Support the year-end audit process through the preparation and collation of required information.
• Lead or contribute to finance and strategic projects across the University, including process improvement activity where appropriate.

What You'll Bring:

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), or you will be actively working towards one.
• Significant experience in a finance business partnering or management accounting role.
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with confidence using Excel and other financial systems and planning tools.
• Experience using finance ERP systems.
• The ability to build positive and professional relationships with stakeholders across different levels of an organisation.
• Confidence communicating financial information clearly and constructively, including the ability to challenge and influence where needed.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach to work.

Why Our Client

They are a values-led organisation, meaning their core values underpin all that they do:

Believe in Everyone, Challenge the Norm, Grow Together, Do The Right Thing, Own It.

In addition to joining a committed and dedicated team, you will have access to:

• 25 days holiday per year (FTE)
• SMART pension
• A comprehensive benefits package

They continually strive to create a culture of inclusivity so that they truly represent their diverse communities. They particularly welcome applications from people of colour who are underrepresented in their organisation.

They are committed to promoting the safety and welfare of their students therefore, all successful applicants are required to complete a basic DBS disclosure. Depending on the role, you may be required to complete an enhanced check / enhanced check with barred list if required by statute and internal policy.

How To Apply

Click apply and you will be redirected to our client’s careers site to complete your application.