Senior Finance Business Partner (FCS8)
Senior Finance Business Partner (FCS8)
Contract: Permanent, working 35 hours per week (Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility)
Salary: £56,561 per annum plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Manchester (The role will be based in Manchester: however, we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1-2 days a week)
We are seeking to recruit a Senior Finance Business Partner acting as the ‘gateway’ between the Finance team and the business. The SFBP requires a strategic and detailed understanding of the organisations financial structure. The SFBP maintains trusted relationships with the senior leaders to ensure Finance delivers a timely, high-quality, and value-added service to the business, helping the organisation to deliver their objectives in the most efficient way. The role offers the opportunity to be a key component of an ongoing change and transformation programmes. Guiding financial understanding and providing structure to current plans. The SFBP has responsibility for delivering key accountabilities on time and to a suitable standard and will help lead a Management Accounts function in delivering regular financial reporting. The SFBP also works in collaboration with Financial Accounting, Operations and System teams to develop and maintain a good understanding of the crosscutting activities of the whole of the Arts Council.
Who we need
We are looking for a person who has the following:
Essential
• Significant experience in generating and communicating clearly detailed financial information, advice and guidance to a range of audiences
• Experience of providing financial support in developing business cases for securing administration funding
• Experience of supporting a change programme, providing strategic advice
• Significant experience of budgeting, forecasting and preparing management accounts
• Experience in manipulating data using advanced Microsoft Office tools
• Knowledge of financial rules and regulations
• highly developed leadership skills with proven experience of leading, supporting and mentoring
• Experience of undertaking ad-hoc financial analyses
• A proactive attitude who is willing to take on new challenges
• Has the ability to juggle multiple duties while working to tight deadlines
What you will need
• Fully Qualified with an Accountancy Body (CCAB) or equivalent experience
• Experience of working in a similar environment
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However, you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.
If there are any adjustments that would support you in your application, please do let us know when you apply. If you are disabled, Evenbreak are able to provide support with your application. For further information please visit their website here
We participate in the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they’re applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long-term condition and/ or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme. The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.
About us: Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan - a final salary scheme. To find out more, click here.
Our Code of Ethics requires that employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment or loan funding - either in person, as a member of a partnership, or for any organisation they own. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk
We believe our recruitment process should be inclusive and transparent. Find out what to expect with our application Guidance: How to apply and recruitment selection process | Arts Council England and more about our commitment to diversity on our website here.
To view the job description please click here
To view the recruitment pack which outlines more details about working for Arts Council please click here
Job ref: FCS8
Closing date: Midnight Sunday 7 June 2026
1st Interview: 16 and 18 June 2026
2nd Interview: 23 June 2026
Please note: We do NOT accept CVs or cover letters as part of our recruitment process. If you require any documentation in an alternative format, please contact recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk
