Finance Business Partner

Salary: £70,919 - £78,556 Location: Bristol Contract Type: Full time, Permanent Closing date: Monday Sunday 25th October 2026. Shape the future of services that change children's lives in one of the UK's most ambitious local authorities This is far more than a finance leadership position. You will provide strategic financial leadership for a circa £500 million portfolio at the heart of Bristol City Council, influencing critical decisions across Children's Social Care, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), education services and major transformation programmes. The opportunity Leading a high-performing finance team, you will be the trusted advisor to senior officers and elected members, driving financial sustainability, service transformation and improved outcomes for children and young people. You will play a pivotal role in budget setting, financial planning, performance reporting and the delivery of complex change programmes, including the Stable Homes Programme and wider SEND transformation initiatives. What you will bring

• Significant experience leading finance teams in a complex organisation
• Strong finance business partnering expertise with large-scale and complex budgets
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive strategic decisions
• Strong commercial and analytical skills, balancing financial discipline with service outcomes
• Experience within children's social care, SEND or education funding environments including familiarity with governance of the Dedicated Schools Grant
• Full CCAB qualification (essential) You will be motivated by complexity, inspired by public service and excited by the opportunity to help shape services that have a lasting impact on the lives of children, young people and families. If you are looking for a career-defining leadership role where your expertise will influence major strategic decisions, this is an opportunity not to be missed. For informal enquiries please contact ben.hegarty@bristol.gov.uk or sarah.chodkiewicz@bristol.gov.uk The role is subject to a standards DBS check. Applicants are required to have the right to work in the UK. Appointments will be made on merit