Senior Strategic Finance Business Partner Academic Faculties(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

The Opportunity

The University of Sussex is seeking a Senior Strategic Finance Business Partner (Academic Faculties) to provide leadership, insight, and direction across its academic finance portfolio.

This senior role sits at the heart of academic decision-making. You will lead the Finance Business Partnering service for Academic Faculties, working closely with the Provost, Faculty Executive Deans, Heads of School, and the Director of Strategic Planning and Performance. Your focus will be on ensuring that academic ambitions are supported by robust, sustainable, and well-informed financial planning.

You will help shape the financial future of the University’s teaching and research mission, supporting delivery of long-term institutional objectives while ensuring value for money and sound financial governance.

What You’ll Lead and Deliver

In this strategic leadership role, you will:

• Lead and develop the Academic Faculties Finance Business Partnering team, setting high professional standards and clear strategic direction
• Provide trusted financial advice to senior academic leaders, enabling effective decision-making at Faculty and University level
• Support the development of financially sustainable academic strategies, operational plans, and resource allocations
• Oversee financial forecasting, Five-Year Financial Plans, and the financial inputs to the annual academic planning cycle
• Strengthen financial literacy, capability, and confidence across Academic Faculties
• Enhance financial reporting and analytics, ensuring data and insights are accessible, relevant, and decision-focused
• Your work will align with national expectations for financial sustainability and accountability in higher education, as set out by the Office for Students (OfS)

How You’ll Make an Impact

You will act as a strategic partner rather than a transactional advisor—helping academic leaders understand not just the numbers, but the implications, risks, and opportunities behind them.

You will:

• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight for non-financial audiences
• Support long-term academic investment decisions using evidence-based financial modelling
• Promote best practice in financial governance and value-for-money assessment, consistent with HM Treasury’s Green Book principles
• Ensure financial planning supports teaching quality, research excellence, and institutional resilience

About You

This role is ideal for a senior finance professional with strong leadership credentials and experience delivering high-quality business partnering services.

You will bring:

• Extensive experience in strategic finance, business partnering, and financial leadership
• A strong track record of supporting senior leaders in complex organisations, ideally within higher education or the wider public sector
• The ability to think strategically while maintaining grip on financial detail
• Excellent communication skills, with confidence influencing at executive level
• Experience developing reporting frameworks and using analytics to inform planning and performance
• Your approach will reflect recognised standards in public sector financial management, such as those promoted by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)

About the Finance Division

The Finance Division is led by the Chief Financial Officer, reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor, and comprises around 80 finance professionals.

The Division works in close partnership with academic and professional services colleagues to:

• Support strategic planning and institutional sustainability
• Identify and develop commercial and academic opportunities
• Manage financial risk and improve value for money
• Build financial capability across the University
• This work supports the responsible stewardship of public funding, in line with expectations from the National Audit Office (NAO)

Why Join the University of Sussex?

• A 150-acre campus set within the South Downs National Park
• Excellent transport links, including Falmer train station and multiple bus routes
• Strong commitment to flexible working and staff wellbeing
• A collaborative, research-led international university culture
• Competitive pension scheme and comprehensive benefits package
• Our commitment to fairness, inclusion, and opportunity is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010

Visa and Right to Work Information

All work for the University must be undertaken in the UK.

This role may be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, subject to individual circumstances. The assigned SOC code is 1131 – Financial Managers and Directors, with a going rate of £75,100. Eligibility may depend on existing Skilled Worker permission issued before 4 April 2024.

Applicants should consult official UK Government guidance

Further Information & Support

The University of Sussex welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and supportive academic community.