Finance Business Partner

Ivy Rock is supporting a renowned Higher Education institution to recruit a commercially minded Finance Business Partner. This role sits at the heart of financial decision-making across a diverse and commercially significant portfolio generating £40m+ income annually, working largely autonomously. An ideal role for a fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA) who thrives in a collaborative, stakeholder-facing environment.

You’ll be the strategic finance lead for the Catering, Retail and Accommodation functions, providing key financial insight, management reporting, forecasting, and budgetary support to both central estates and service departments. You’ll work closely with non-finance stakeholders to communicate complex financial data in an accessible and impactful way.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business partner with senior stakeholders across the Estates and Commercial Services teams, supporting an annual budget of c.£80m.
• Drive budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning for the University’s accommodation portfolio and retail outlets.
• Lead on the annual rent-setting process and the 5-year accommodation forecast.
• Produce variance analysis, trend reporting and financial viability assessments for new and existing commercial activities.
• Support strategic initiatives including investment appraisals, benchmarking, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with external landlords, partners, and university finance teams.

For more information about the role, please contact Charlotte Dow at Ivy Rock Partners.