Finance Business Partner

Newcastle City Library; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious academic institution in the UK seeks Finance Business Partners for two roles. You will provide high-quality financial management and strategic guidance to various stakeholders. The positions require strong communication and IT skills, management accounting experience, and a relevant financial qualification. The role also promotes an inclusive workplace, emphasizing diversity and equal opportunities. Apply with a CV and cover letter indicating your role preference.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Great pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years' experience in finance management.
• Ability to present financial information clearly.
• Comfortable working in large, complex organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide key financial support and reports.
• Prepare detailed annual budgets.
• Ensure adherence to University policies.
• Advise colleagues on financial related issues.

Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills

Advanced IT proficiency (e.g. Microsoft Office, SAP)

Significant experience in management accounting

Skilled in analysing complex data

Experienced in cross-functional collaboration

Competent in planning workloads

Effective communicator

Education

Part or qualified CCAB Accountant or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

Job description

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 11 Janaury 2026

The Role

We have two exciting opportunities for highly motivated Finance Business Partners to join our team—one open-ended role within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and one fixed-term role (until January 2027) within Professional Services. In both positions, you will provide high-quality financial management, advisory support, and strategic guidance to a varied portfolio of stakeholders. Working closely with senior academic and professional service leaders, you’ll help shape informed decision-making, support effective budget management, and contribute to delivering outstanding outcomes for our students, colleagues, and the wider University community.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide key financial support to the Head of Faculty/PS Finance, Head of School/ Service and their senior teams, including regular reporting and presentation of performance.
• Provide a pivotal role in the preparation of detailed annual budgets, plans and quarterly financial forecasts for the local area and ensure compliance with agreed Faculty/PS standards.
• Implement an effective budget and forecast review process for the local area to meet the expectations of the Head/Deputy of Faculty/PS Finance and the Faculty PVC/Head of Hub.
• Contribute to the continued development and improvement of financial reports to support accurate financial analysis and the production of commentaries.
• Present and discuss management accounts with local area leadership, review and summarise the results and recommend appropriate actions. Provide financial information on behalf of the local area to the Faculty/ Hub.
• Bring forward and develop business cases and financial appraisals for investment cases for the local area.
• Advise local area colleagues on financial related issues, ensuring here is the guidance needed to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
• 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 Faculty/Hubs 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.

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Please upload a CV and cover letter when applying. Please also state at the beginning of your cover letter your preference of roles, or if you would like to be considered for both.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 22nd January 2026.