Finance Business Partner (Environment, Assets and Transport Services)

We're seeking a dedicated and experienced Finance Business Partner to join our finance team.

Reporting directly to our S151 Officer, this is a high-impact role where you'll 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 job

The Environment, Assets and Transport Services (EATS) 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 our 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.

The details

• Salary: Level 12 - £65,495 to £74,209 a year
• Full time, permanent contract
• Working from home and the office, depending on the task at hand

Read the full job description, person specification and apply via our website at https://n-somerset.gov.uk/jobs where you'll also find our 'benefits of working for us' booklet

Apply by Monday 9 November 2026

Anticipated interview dates: Monday 16 and / or Tuesday 17 November 2026.

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,

For more information about this role please contact Melanie Watts, S151 Officer, at melanie.watts@n-somerset.gov.uk or 01934 634 618.