Finance Business Partner

The Post

This is a senior role operating in the Finance Office and reporting directly to the Head of Financial Planning. This role will involve working directly with senior colleagues, delivering insightful financial guidance, planning and decision support to the business objectives of the University. The post\-holder will be an experienced finance business partner who will work with leadership teams across the University to deliver professional finance and accounting advice, as well as proactive and value add finance support to inform decision making.

The post\- holder will be business focused, highly analytical and aware of the sector and risk environment in which the University operates. In addition to traditional accounting strengths, strong commercial awareness and the ability to challenge stakeholders are highly desirable qualities.

With demonstrable skills and experience of working in a busy finance environment you will be able to contribute to the wide range of activities undertaken by finance professionals including financial accounting, management accounting and business development. Experience in developing and implementing business and financial strategies would be preferable, you will be a professionally qualified accountant.

As the role may involve liaising with external stakeholders as well as senior members of the University’s staff it is important that the post\-holder is able to build and maintain good stakeholder relationships and have excellent communication skills.

Description of Duties Financial Strategy and Planning

Ensure that financial sustainability is central to the University’s strategy and operation by:

• Support the identification of new income sources and opportunities in line with the aims of the University Strategic Plan for designated areas


• Working with key stakeholders in the University to translate business strategies into financial plans, making sure they are complete, robust and fully understood by the relevant budget holders


• Work with designated areas to support delivery of their in\-year forecasts, annual budgets and long\-term plans, ensuring they are aligned with targets for revenue, cost and contribution


• Ensuring finances of strategic development are evaluated and that sound financial advice is provided to stakeholders within the University


• Providing action plans to address issues and opportunities identified to deliver financial sustainability, identifying significant position changes early to influence financial decisions


• Maintain a sound understanding of sector developments in relation to financial planning and project support, and an awareness of relevant external policy/guidance, legislation, and government initiatives, providing advice and guidance to colleagues as appropriate

Financial Analysis and Insight

• Preparation of monthly management reporting for designated areas on a timely and accurate basis by combining quantitative, qualitative data and statistical analysis to highlight trends, share insights and evaluate alternatives against business objectives


• Provide insightful analysis and challenge on all financial matters to identify where efficiencies can be made to demonstrate best value and maximisation of use of resource and make recommendations to senior management


• Provide value added commentary on financial results, explanations of underlying key performance indicators and provide action plans to address issues and opportunities

Performance Measurement

• Working with the senior colleagues to ensure effective and efficient use of resource and deliver improvement in KPI and league table performance


• Ensure that all activities, new and existing are fully costed so informed decisions can be taken on the profitability of current and proposed activities


• Monitor performance indicators to establish viability and sustainability of existing and new activity to ensure that financial business plans are delivered

Business Cases

• Manage the process of investment and project appraisal within the University.


• Produce clear and insightful financial business cases supporting both revenue and capital investments


• Challenge and review critical assumptions made in business case to identify risks and opportunities in the financial plans and ensure that stakeholders are actively managing these appropriately

Essential Criteria

• Full membership of a CCAB accounting body (CIFPA, ACCA, ICAS, ICAEW, CIMA)


• Demonstrable experience of providing finance business partnering or equivalent within a commercial or HEI environment and building relationships across all levels of an organisation


• Successful track record of working with non\-financial managers to drive improvements in decision making and financial performance


• Demonstrable experience of managing complex funding and financial regimes and scenarios


• Able to act on initiative, identify opportunities and is proactive in putting forward ideas and solutions


• Strong communication (both written and oral) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information or ideas in a way that colleagues can understand and act upon


• Able to prioritise workload to deliver to tight deadlines and manage competing demands from various stakeholders


• Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft packages such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint and accounting software packages


• Proven analytical and problem solving capability, with a commitment to continuous improvement


• An ability to embrace and commit to leading change and innovation


• Able to be pro\-active and to work to own initiative to deadlines

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience process improvement and change management particularly in the reporting of financial information


• Knowledge and understanding of HE sector and potential challenges


• Experience of undertaking project work from inception to delivery of outcomes

Additional Information

Full time

Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 27 September 2026\.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 2422\.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

• Managing self and personal skills

Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

• Delivering excellent service

Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long\-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

• Finding solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

• Embracing change

Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

• Using resources effectively

Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

• Engaging with the wider context

Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

• Developing self and others

Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

• Working together

Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

• Achieving Results

Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

The University

The University of Stirling is Scottish University of the Year 2027 and UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide).

The University is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five\-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and, in recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty\-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world lead

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