Senior Finance Business Partner - Place Based Services

Closing Date: 2nd June 2026

Salary:  Grade 10, ranging from £37,280 - £41,771 per annum.

Community, Place & Economy sits at the heart of Somerset Council’s ambition to build a fairer, greener, and more prosperous county. This diverse and high‑profile directorate brings together services that shape how Somerset grows and thrives — from economic development, planning and infrastructure to culture, partnerships, regulation and climate.

As Senior Finance Business Partner (Place Based Services), you will act as a trusted adviser to service leads, providing high‑quality financial insight and challenge. You will support revenue and capital planning, help shape investment and transformation decisions, and drive a strong value‑for‑money culture across a complex portfolio.

Working closely with the Strategic Finance Business Partner, Head of Business Partnering, Senior Finance Business Partners and Finance business partners, you will provide professional support to senior stakeholders across Place Based Services, ensuring financial plans, reporting and governance enable effective decision‑making.

Role Purpose

As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you will provide expert financial advice, analysis and insight to support services to deliver their objectives and maintain financial sustainability. Working closely with budget holders and senior stakeholders, you will help drive effective financial planning, sound decision‑making and improved use of resources across the Council.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, accurate financial analysis and reporting to support strategic and operational decisions
• Support budget holders with financial planning, monitoring and compliance with financial regulations
•  Work with senior colleagues to develop and support delivery of financial strategies
• Build strong working relationships with services, offering proactive financial advice and challenge
• Identify financial risks and opportunities, supporting mitigation plans and cost‑saving initiatives
• Contribute to financial projects, service reviews and continuous improvement activity

What We’re Looking For – Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Essential

• In-depth understanding of financial management principles and practices
• Knowledge of public sector finance and procurement regulations
• Familiarity with financial reporting standards and compliance requirements
• Understanding of budget development and management processes
• Knowledge of financial software and systems
• Proven experience in financial analysis
• Experience in budget management and financial planning
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and presenting financial reports
• Experience in identifying financial risk
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g. MAAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA), qualified by experience, studying towards or commitment to study
• Supervisory experience and skills, including contributing to senior management where required
• Demonstrable experience of operating equality and diversity measures in service commissioning and delivery
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office applications
• Strong organisational and time management skills

Desirable

• Awareness of financial risk management strategies
• Experience in public sector or local government finance
• Experience of leading financial projects and initiatives
• Degree in finance, accounting, or a related field
• Ability to influence and drive change
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Any Additional Information

• 30 Days Annual Leave, additional to Bank Holidays.
• Permanent, 37 Hours a week, will consider potential to make this a job share role for the correct candidates.
• Based at our modern, refurbished County Hall offices in Taunton, and the option to work flexibly from home, with some travel required for meetings across sites.

• Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.  

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Kerry Hepple, Strategic Finance Business Partner, kerry.hepple@somerset.gov.uk  or Christian Evans, Head of Business Partnering – Finance Christian.evans@somerset.gov.uk      

A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.