Finance Business Partner - Education

location_on

Reading

02/08/2026

Finance Business Partner - Education

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Salary

£44,075 - £57,139 per year

Contractual hours

Basis

Full time

Region

Permanent / Full-Time

Job category/type

Corporate Support, Finance

Date posted

10/07/2026

Job reference

RES0821

Are you a finance professional looking to make a meaningful impact in local government? Reading Borough Council is seeking a talented and motivated Finance Business Partner – Education to join our dynamic Finance Business Partnering Team. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the Council, supporting children’s services Education directorate with expert financial advice and insight.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

At Reading Borough Council, we value innovation, collaboration, and ambition. We offer a hybrid working environment, combining office-based and remote work, and support flexible working patterns. You’ll be part of a supportive team that encourages professional development and recognises the importance of work-life balance.

About the role

In this role, you will work closely with the Strategic Finance Business Partner for Education to deliver high-quality financial support across a range of services. You’ll be a key advisor to budget managers, helping them navigate financial planning, budget setting, and year-end processes. Your work will directly influence decision-making, ensuring that resources are used effectively and that the Council’s strategic objectives are met.

Key responsibilities include

• Providing proactive financial support and challenge to budget holders and senior managers
• Support strategic planning, budget setting, and detailed monthly budget monitoring
• Producing and presenting financial analysis and management information to support decision-making
• Identifyingfinancial risks, opportunities, and efficiency savings
• Supporting the development of business cases, investment bids, and service improvement projects
• Contributing to statutory returns, grant submissions, and year-end accounts processes
• Ensuring compliance with local authority accounting standards, legislative requirements, and CIPFA best practice
• Working collaboratively across Finance and Children's Services to improvefinancial managementand outcomes

About you

We’re looking for someone who is CCAB qualified (or expecting to achieve full qualification within the next 12 months) with a strong understanding of public sector finance. You should be confident in managing complex financial information, communicating clearly with stakeholders, and working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently, and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with theoptionto buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance,servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact ***email_hidden***

Closing Date: Sunday 2nd August

Interview Date: 12th / 13th August

Interview Process: Online Interview

Finance Business Partner - Education