Finance Business Partner - Climate, Environment and Customer Services

Finance Business Partner – Climate, Environment & Customer Services

Temporary, 6 Months

Full Time, 37 hours per week

Up to £550 per day, Umbrella

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: Sunday 17th August 2025

Please note, this is a temporary position for a period of 6 months.

This role is responsible for delivering high quality financial advice within a service area, proactive in providing comprehensive support and innovative advice to all levels of management and Members across the finance functions. Proficient analytical skills will be key to interpreting financial results for the business whilst influencing more robust decision making by evidencing greater awareness and understanding the impact of decisions on costs and risks.

An experienced financial expert, building strong relationships with internal and external partners will maximise the opportunity to influence stakeholders and partners and contribute fully to management forums. Work collaboratively in supporting delivery of improvements in efficiency and cost reduction plans across the Council to achieve strategic objectives.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for supporting the business by understanding all the financial assets, liabilities, and priorities for a business operation and present options to senior managers to drive change and improve efficiency to meet strategic objectives.
• Responsible for partnering and supporting Service Directors and stakeholders to carry out financial performance management, pricing, and investment analysis. In addition, support the business planning process by advising senior managers.
• Accountable for providing high quality and timely management information to support business development by using insightful and predictive analysis and optimise financial modelling and commercial acumen.
• Support cross organisational projects and ensure the inclusion of commercial & value considerations to drive transparent and robust decision making. This support will involve detailed analysis and interpretation in communicating financial and performance data to support evidence-based decision making.
• Work collaboratively with Senior Finance Business Partners and Management Accountants in the development and review of financial policy and plans ensuring they reflect the Council’s strategic objectives and promote continuous improvement
• Responsible for ensuring the delivery of value for money services, as evidenced by benchmarked cost driver comparators to analyse financial trends and drive efficiencies.
• Support timely preparation of robust business cases & decision making by quantifying associated costs, benefits, risks, and funding solutions, being solely accountable for the financial implications.
• Responsible for compliance with financial regulations and professional accounting standards and financial impact assessments relating to changes in legislation or service initiatives

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• Full CCAB / CIMA qualification with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in application of financial management and financial frameworks - preferably public sector, through a full financial cycle.
• Excellent communication skills to influence a wide range of stakeholders and aware of the political environment in which this role operates
• Evidence of identifying improvements in financial systems and processes with a strong delivery and performance focus

Desirable:

• Evidence of providing financial advice to inform decision making
• Demonstrate experience of establishing credibility and contributing effectively with management teams and wider networks.
• Demonstrate experience of working with senior managers, working within, and supporting multi-disciplinary teams to achieve service outcomes

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) ) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries or require anything further, please email EssexSharedServices@essex.gov.uk 

Follow us on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn . Further details can be found on our careers page .

Links / Downloads

Pay and Reward | Our Ways of Working | About Us | Organisation Behaviours