Civic Recruitment Limited
Senior Business Partner

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Finance Business Partner – 6 Month Contract
Location: Rugby Borough Council, Rugby
Rate: £451.53 per day (Umbrella) (Flexibility may be available for the right candidate)
Contract: 6 Month Contract
Hours: Full Time
Working Pattern: Hybrid
Pay: Bi-weekly
Office Attendance
- First 2 weeks: Approximately 4 days per week on-site in Rugby to gain service insights and establish key stakeholder relationships.
- Thereafter: 2-3 days per week on-site, subject to business needs.
Summary
Rugby Borough Council is on the lookout for a seasoned and proactive Finance Business Partner to contribute to a significant financial improvement and transformation initiative. This role transcends traditional finance reporting, requiring collaboration with Service Directors, Managers, the Deputy S151 Officer, and the Senior Leadership Team. The aim is to deeply understand service operations, pinpoint financial challenges and opportunities, and spearhead impactful improvements. The ideal candidate will be adept at questioning assumptions, dissecting complex financial issues, constructing reliable forecasting models, identifying savings, and providing strategic financial guidance across their portfolio. This position offers a unique chance for a finance professional to delve into details, influence decision-makers, and make a substantial impact within a Local Authority setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with Service Directors and Managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of service delivery and financial performance.
- Investigate and resolve intricate financial issues.
- Offer expert financial advice and challenge to facilitate informed decision-making.
- Develop and implement robust forecasting models.
- Identify financial risks, pressures, overspends, and opportunities.
- Work proactively with services to address budget variances and implement corrective measures.
- Identify and cultivate savings opportunities.
- Assist services in calculating savings proposals and understanding their implications.
- Lead complete budget-setting exercises for designated service areas.
- Contribute to the development of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).
- Prepare and present financial reports to:
- Deputy S151 Officer
- S151 Officer
- Senior Leadership Team
- Directorate Management Teams
- Deliver monthly and quarterly budget monitoring reports.
- Complete Delta returns and other statutory or corporate financial submissions.
- Support organizational transformation and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) initiatives.
- Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging risks, opportunities, legislative changes, and service impacts.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance financial understanding and capability.
- Train, coach, and guide managers to improve financial ownership and accountability.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Essential Requirements
- Fully Qualified Accountant (CCAB, CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
- Extensive experience in Finance Business Partnering.
- Recent and significant experience within District and/or Borough Councils.
- Experience in supporting and challenging senior stakeholders.
- Experience in full budget builds and financial planning exercises.
- Strong skills in forecasting, budget monitoring, and financial modeling.
- Proven ability to identify and resolve complex financial issues.
- Experience in delivering financial improvement and transformation initiatives.
- Ability to interpret financial data and translate it into actionable business insights.
- Experience in presenting financial information to senior leadership teams.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage complex workstreams.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable
- Experience in supporting Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
- Experience contributing to Medium-Term Financial Strategies.
- Experience in politically sensitive public sector environments.
- Knowledge of Local Government finance regulations and reporting requirements.
What's on Offer?
- £451.53 per day (Umbrella)
- 6 Month Contract
- Hybrid Working
- 2-3 Days Per Week On-Site Following Initial Onboarding Period
- Bi-weekly Pay
- Opportunity to influence strategic decision-making.
- Highly visible role working directly with senior leadership.
- Involvement in transformation, financial improvement, and LGR preparations.
- Opportunity to make a genuine impact across multiple Council services.
Ideal for candidates with experience as a Finance Business Partner, Senior Finance Business Partner, Principal Accountant, Finance Manager, Strategic Finance Manager, Corporate Accountant, Finance Lead, Management Accountant, or Local Government Finance Consultant.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Location