Finance Business Partner (Environment, Assets & Transport Services)Council

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community and to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

 

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Finance Business Partner to join our finance team at North Somerset Council. Reporting directly to the S151 Officer, this is a high-impact role where you will act as a trusted strategic advisor to the Director of Environment, Assets and Transport Services and the senior leadership team, helping to shape the financial direction of the essential public facing services.

 

The Environment, Assets and Transport Services directorate delivers diverse and high profile services which includes highways and transport, waste and recycling, streets and open spaces, leisure, property and asset management, and major capital projects and strategic infrastructure. The Director therefore manages significant revenue and capital expenditure, and this role will play a key part in helping services respond to significant financial challenges while maintaining focus on delivering outcomes for residents.

 

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to work closely with senior leaders on some of the Council's most significant strategic and financial challenges. The role offers exposure to major capital investment, transformation programmes and corporate decision-making, allowing you to make a visible impact across the organisation and the communities we serve.

 

Key responsibilities within this role include;

• Strategic Partnership: Work closely with the Director and senior leaders to provide strategic financial insight, robust challenge, and insightful advice to support effective decision making within the context of the Council’s annual revenue budget and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) cycles,

• Reporting: Prepare and present clear, concise financial reports and analysis, translating complex financial data into actionable business insights,
• Service Transformation: Partner with senior officers to identify efficiency savings, service transformation opportunities, and alternative revenue streams that support the Council’s sustainability goals,
• Risk & Governance: Ensure robust financial governance and compliance with CIPFA codes, statutory requirements, and best practice in local government finance,
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships across the organisation, ensuring financial and governance considerations are embedded in service planning and delivery,
• Capital & Revenue: Oversee financial impacts arising from capital programme, grant funding compliance, and revenue budget monitoring,
• Management and supervision: Manage a small team of finance professionals who directly support the Directorate and as a senior leader, contribute to service development, mentoring colleagues and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

 

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

 

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker. This means the position is primarily home-based, with attendance at key meetings, workshops, leadership events and corporate activities as required. You can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office.
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

 

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about finance, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

 

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified Accountant: You are a fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, or CIMA or equivalent) with a strong technical foundation.
• Local Government Experience: You have proven experience working in local government finance, ideally within a senior business partnering or strategic finance role. You understand the unique pressures facing the sector today.
• Business Partnering Skills: You are an influential communicator who can build trust at the most senior levels. You are comfortable challenging senior leaders constructively and presenting financial narratives to non-financial audiences.
• Strategic Mindset: You can see the big picture, linking financial data to service outcomes and corporate priorities.
• Resilience & Adaptability: You thrive in a dynamic, public-sector environment and can manage competing priorities with composure and integrity.
• Proven Track Record: You will have demonstrable experience leading complex budget-setting and forecasting processes, identifying and delivering financial savings and service transformation opportunities and supporting major capital programmes and investment decisions.

 

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of supporting environmental, transport, property or infrastructure-related services,
• Experience in developing and evaluating complex business cases and investment proposals,
• Project or programme management qualification or equivalent experience,
• Experience of financial modelling and scenario planning,
• Knowledge of treasury, capital financing or asset management finance.
• Experience supporting grant-funded programmes,

 

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team including access to employee assistant programmes and a supportive leadership culture.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes
• The ability to make a difference and shape the future of our community

 

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet. 

 

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

 

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Melanie Watts, S151 Officer, at [email protected] or 01934 634618.

 

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

 

Interview Dates: Monday 16 November 2026. and / or Tuesday 17 November 2026.

 

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Using artificial intelligence (AI) 

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

 

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated.  We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave.  We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. 

 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

 

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.

Position type: Full time