Finance and operations business partner

Role: Finance and operations business partner

Reporting to: Executive and corporate services director

Based: Durham OR Newcastle plus hybrid working

Department: Finance and corporate services

Contract: Permanent

Working hours: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri

Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum dependent on experience

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking an experienced and strategically focused finance and business operations partner to play a critical role in delivering financial insight and operational excellence across the Chamber.

This position will lead financial planning, control, and reporting functions while driving system improvements, procurement, and compliance.

The successful candidate will be an integral business partner to our leadership team, providing data-driven analysis and strategic support to help the Chamber thrive and grow.

The successful candidate will also lead a small finance team, including a finance and governance officer and a finance apprentice, providing day-to-day oversight, development, and performance management.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Responsibilities for the successful candidate include:

Strategic Financial Management:

• Lead on monthly management accounts and variance analysis with actionable insights.
• Deliver data-led recommendations to support Executive Team decision-making.
• Develop, lead and review monthly and quarterly financial reports aligned with strategic goals.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and implement effective liquidity strategies.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Lead the annual and three year budgeting cycle and in-year forecasts
• Present financial outlooks to executive and senior leadership team
• Ensure alignment of forecasts with the Chamber’s strategic and operational objectives.

Month-End and Payroll:

• Manage and review month-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate outputs.
• Oversee the payroll process for accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
• Address payroll queries and collaborate with external payroll bureaus as required.

Audit, VAT, and Compliance:

• Lead the preparation and audit of statutory accounts.
• Liaise directly with external auditors, ensuring audit readiness and efficiency.
• Manage VAT reconciliations and submissions, keeping abreast of regulatory changes.
• Ensure financial policies and internal controls are compliant and robust.

Business Operations and Systems:

• Lead improvements in financial systems and processes to enhance efficiency.
• Champion the development of dashboards and operational reporting tools.
• Provide operational finance support to departments, embedding best practices.

Procurement and Asset Management:

• Lead procurement strategy and oversee contract management procedures.
• Ensure alignment with financial planning, value-for-money principles, and compliance.
• Oversee capital expenditure and asset registers to support long-term sustainability.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Provide oversight to finance team members, fostering high performance and development.
• Act as a key business partner to the executive team and departmental leads.
• Drive innovation and service improvement across financial and operational functions.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Audit compliance and VAT submissions met to deadline.
• Budget forecasts and planning delivered in line with strategic goals.
• Operational system improvements and dashboard utilisation.

WHAT WE NEED TO SEE

The Chamber team is passionate about the North East, our business community and our members. We work hard to achieve outcomes for our business and our members.

Skills and experience are important but what is important above all else is character and willingness to learn and achieve. It is vitally important that we find the right person who fits into our beliefs and culture here at the Chamber.

Some of the other skills and experience that we are looking for include:

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 GCSE’s or equivalent, including maths and English
• A professional qualification in finance (e.g. CIMA, ACCA, ACA).
• Xero or equivalent financial software expertise is desirable.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated experience in strategic financial leadership roles.
• Proven experience of delivering operational finance and business partnering.
• Proven experience with compliance, audit, VAT, payroll, and procurement.
• Excellent analytical, commercial acumen and decision-making skills.
• Confident communicator and influencer across senior stakeholders.
• Strong project management and process improvement skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and deadlines.

Other requirements

• Must live in the North East.
• Ability to work flexibly across locations and functions.
• A commitment to the values of the Chamber and the North East business community.

WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER

We have a great culture at the Chamber and supporting a healthy work life balance is important to us. We actively promote a professional, engaging, friendly and supportive environment, with our people and our members at the heart of everything we do. We offer several benefits including:

· 25 days annual leave, increasing with each year of service, up to 30 days plus public holidays each year

· An additional days leave on your birthday

· Life assurance four-times basic salary

· Contribution to one professional membership each year

· Employee assistance programme

· A motivating, encouraging environment to work in

· Flexible working supporting work life balance, with a mix of home and office working

· Salary exchange pension scheme with 4% Chamber contributions

· Long service awards

· Salary sacrifice schemes, such as: cycle to work and car leasing

· Health cash plan paid by the Chamber and provided by Westfield Health

· Colleague events including summer social and Christmas party