Director of Finance Business Partnering

SettleParadigm; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 119,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing association in the UK is seeking a Finance and Procurement lead to drive strategic financial decisions and budgeting. This role requires a CCAB-qualified accountant with extensive experience in senior roles, focusing on stakeholder management and leadership. Key responsibilities include accurate financial reporting and compliance while fostering innovation and high performance within teams. Join a values-driven organization making a significant impact in local communities.

Benefits

Annual salary package: £119k

30 days holiday plus Christmas closure

Generous pension scheme

Enhanced family-friendly leave

Health cash plan

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven track record in senior finance roles.
• Ability to understand and translate market factors into strategy.
• Advanced leadership with strong coaching skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive accurate reporting, budgeting, and strategic decisions.
• Partner with leadership to set financial direction.
• Champion cost benchmarking and deliver a procurement framework.

Skills

Financial reporting

Leadership

Strategic planning

Microsoft Excel

Stakeholder management

Education

CCAB recognised accounting qualification

Job description

To lead the Finance and Procurement business partners providing a holistic service to the business encompassing relevant management information and insight to enable the business to drive value for money and the best use of the organisation’s resources.

Based at either High Wycombe or Letchworth offices, you will spend at least 1 day in each location p/w and the remainder at home/remote. Office presence is particularly important for a senior role leading business partnering, where you will cultivate cross departmental relationships and influence change and innovation.

Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose?

In October 2025, Settle Group and Paradigm Housing Group came together to create a new organisation, SettleParadigm. Driven by a shared commitment to residents and local communities, the partnership aims to deliver a stronger future. As part of this, the organisation is acquiring homes from L&Q, bringing its total portfolio to around 30,000 homes by early 2026.

As the largest housing association in the region, SettleParadigm is preparing to launch a new name, brand, and corporate plan next year. This plan will set out their long‑term priorities and how we will deliver them.

Everything we do is focused on providing excellent services, high‑quality homes, vibrant neighbourhoods, and maximising the number of new affordable homes we build. SettleParadigm believe they can achieve this more effectively as one organisation. This is an opportunity to work with and support the business in in our decision making and to join at a time of evolutionary change.

If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading finance and procurement – Driving accurate reporting, budgeting and insight to enable strategic decisions and value for money.
• Shaping strategy and ensuring compliance – Partnering with the leadership team to set financial direction while meeting regulatory and procurement standards.
• Boosting efficiency and value – Championing cost benchmarking and delivering a procurement framework that maximises savings and performance.
• Inspiring high performance – Building and developing strong teams, fostering innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified and experience – CCAB‑qualified accountant with a track record in senior and commercially focused roles.
• Strategic and analytical – Expertise in accounting standards, financial reporting, risk management and translating market factors into actionable strategy.
• Leadership and influence – Strong people leadership experience with coaching skills, stakeholder management expertise and the ability to operate at a senior level.

Must haves:

• Financial reporting and establishing framework of internal control
• Planning and delivering solutions for business (solutions include IT and non‑IT based systems
• Establishing professional standards
• Providing commercial insight and analysis

Knowledge:

• In depth knowledge and practical application of accounting standards
• Ability to understand external market factors and translate into strategy and implement
• Knowledge and experience of managing risk

Qualifications & Skills:

• CCAB recognised accounting qualification with substantial post qualification experience
• Demonstrable success of a senior position in a commercially focused organisation
• Previous experience of overseeing complex finance processes and systems
• Strong leadership skills, able to optimise talent within the team which leads to the best outcomes, capable coaching skills with the confidence to effectively and fairly deal with any regular under performance.
• Advanced understanding of Microsoft Excel
• Confident and effective communicator; both verbal and written
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Leadership skills appropriate to a key management position including the ability to exercise a positive influence on others
• Able to analyse complex information & determine the most appropriate direction
• Gravitas to operate at senior leadership level
• Decisive and outcome driven
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Demonstrable skill in stakeholder management
• Thorough understanding of current accounting practices and best practice standards within the sector

Nice to haves:

• Experience of establishing professional standards, Experience in the social housing sector, Previous experience of managing complex systems, Knowledge and experience of managing risk

Benefits

At SettleParadigm, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Our comprehensive benefits and rewards package reflects this commitment.

• annual salary package: £119k p/a (includes salary supplement)
• 30 days holiday upon starting, plus Christmas closure and buy options
• Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
• Family‑friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids’ cover)
• Life cover and income protection
• Flexible working – hybrid options, modern offices, free parking & EV charging

And that’s just the beginning! We’re also thrilled to provide:

• Mental Health First Aiders available to support
• Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues subject to conditions)
• Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
• 3 paid volunteering days in the local communities
• Peer‑recognition rewards platform
• Paid professional subscription (one per year)

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio‑economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

Closing Date: Applications must be received by 12 January 2026 at the latest.