Finance Business Partner
- locations
- Manchester
- time type
- Full time
- posted on
- Posted Yesterday
- time left to apply
- End Date: October 10, 2025 (12 days left to apply)
- job requisition id
- R7045
At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Finance Business Partner
Permanent
Manchester: £48,000 – £55,000
Hybrid 2 days per week, with Monday as an Anchor day
Bring your commercial insight to a role where finance drives strategy, not just numbers.
You’ll be joining a collaborative Commercial Finance team of 8, where teamwork, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement are central to how we work. This isn’t just another finance role. You’ll be at the heart of commercial decision-making, with the freedom to think creatively and the support to grow professionally.
Purpose of the Role
As Finance Business Partner, you’ll play a key role in shaping financial strategy across AQA’s Commercial Finance landscape. You’ll support decision-making across our Assessment Technology division (budget over £10 million/year, 150+ employees) and subsidiaries (income over £40 million/year), bringing financial insight to a wide range of stakeholders. Your work will help ensure AQA delivers value and impact for learners across the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Acting as the lead finance contact for key internal and external stakeholders, including Assessment Technology and AQA’s subsidiaries
- Providing financial planning, forecasting, and commercial analysis to support strategic decisions and project delivery
- Embedding yourself in cross-functional teams to influence outcomes, challenge constructively, and drive continuous improvement
- You’ll also need to travel occasionally to other AQA business locations to support collaborative meetings with stakeholders and project teams
You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys working collaboratively and thinking beyond the numbers.
We’re looking for someone who can:
- Build strong relationships and communicate financial insight to non-finance colleagues.
- Bring experience of finance business partnering in a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrate a proactive, can-do attitude and a willingness to challenge upwards.
- Show confidence in managing multiple priorities and influencing stakeholders.
- Hold a full accountancy qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW or equivalent).
What’s in It for You
- Exposure to high-impact commercial projects and strategic decision-making.
- A collaborative, inclusive team culture that values your ideas and wellbeing
- Flexible working, a 35-hour week, and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and Christmas closure).
- A generous pension scheme with up to 11.5% employer contributions.
- Private medical insurance, health cash plan, EV leasing, volunteering days, and modern offices with gym.
- Opportunities to shape financial strategy across diverse business models and subsidiaries.
- Access to learning and development, including leadership and strategic thinking.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV and a short cover letter.
Application deadline: Thursday 9th October 2025
Interviews will take place in two stages: an initial Teams interview week ending 13th October with final face-to-face interviews happening mid to late October. Offers expected to be completed by end of October 2025
We’re looking forward to hearing from you
#PRO22
Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
Full Job Description
Summary
Activities:
Financial Planning & Forecasting
Lead short, medium, and long-term financial planning, forecasting, and cash flow analysis with clear storytelling, scenario analysis, and risk/opportunity assessment.
Continuously improve in-year forecasting and performance tracking with actionable KPIs and ownership across the business.
Business Partnering & Decision Support
Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver insightful financial analysis, reporting, and benefits realisation for projects, bids, and contracts.
Influence decision-making through clear financial presentations and support standardisation of tools and self-serve reporting.
Act as a critical friend and trusted financial partner to the business, providing constructive challenge to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement
Leadership & Development
Model strong leadership, provide feedback, mentor team members, and foster open communication to support team growth and performance.
Step in for the Strategic Commercial Finance Business Partner/ Financial Planning and Analysis Manager when needed.
Continuous Improvement & Collaboration
Promote financial awareness and process improvement across the organisation, including cross-functional finance projects.
To be successful in this role, you will need:
Qualification: Fully qualified accountant with a minimum of three years post qualification experience
Analytical & Critical Thinking: Exceptional ability to evaluate complex data and situations critically.
Leadership & Initiative: Demonstrates strong leadership by supporting core stakeholders and stepping into cross-functional work as needed. Proactively leads on team-wide projects and process improvements. Shares best practices and guides others to drive collective success.
Communication & Influence: Strong consulting, negotiation, and communication skills, especially with non-finance colleagues.
Commercial & Financial Acumen: Proficient in product profitability, portfolio modelling, and ERP systems.
Project & Conflict Management: Skilled in managing multiple objectives and constructively handling conflict.
Autonomy & Drive: Operates independently with passion, energy, and a self-starting attitude.
About Us
AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or on
07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact:
Smart Working
We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.
Conflict of Interest
Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.
Safeguarding
AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.
For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.
Contact
Temporary roles: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk
Permanent and Fixed Term roles: opportunities@aqa.org.uk