The Role:

Our client is looking for a Head of Finance Business Partnering to join their National Finance team in Preston. This is a senior leadership role within the Finance function, offering direct exposure to key decision-makers across the firm and the opportunity to play a central role in driving premium, consistent commercial insight, strategic decision-making and financial performance.

You'll lead the Finance Business Partnering function while remaining hands-on with one of the firm's three lines of business, acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders. Reporting to one of the National Finance Partners, you will deliver clear, high-quality financial insight that shapes decisions and drives performance.

The role combines direct ownership of a major business area with leadership of the wider partnering team - setting the standard for insight, challenge and support. Working closely with the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, you will also ensure reporting and analysis is aligned, consistent and supports the delivery of practical, decision-ready insight.

Key Duties:

• Acting as a trusted commercial advisor to senior stakeholders, providing clear, timely insight that shapes decisions and drives performance.
• Leading from the front as the finance partner to a major line of business, translating financial and operational performance into simple, actionable recommendations.
• Driving high-quality planning, forecasting and performance management, ensuring a strong forward-looking view of risks and opportunities.
• Providing commercial challenge and support on strategic initiatives, acting as a sounding board and identifying risks and opportunities early.
• Embedding a consistent business partnering approach across the firm, setting standards for insight, communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Establishing effective performance review processes, ensuring the right balance of support and challenge to drive accountability and results.
• Working closely with FP&A and central finance teams to deliver a joined-up, high-quality finance service, with aligned insight and reporting.

Experience Required:

• Professionally qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with strong post-qualification experience.
• Proven track record in commercial finance and business partnering, supporting senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial mindset, with a clear understanding of how financial insight drives business performance and decision-making.
• Strong commercial judgement, able to translate data into clear, actionable insight.
• Credible and confident communicator, able to influence and challenge at Partner and Director level.
• Experience leading and developing teams, with a focus on raising capability and standards.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn data into decision-ready outputs.
• Highly organised and resilient, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with a track record of driving improvement and change.

Ideally you will have a background in Practice within a mid-tier firm or will have significant experience within professional services. Our client is looking for an inspirational leader who can mentor the existing team in what is a really down to earth environment. Our client offers a flexible supportive working environment along with an excellent benefits package.