Finance Business Partner - Budget, Grants and Projects

Chief Finance Officer’s Directorate

Supports the Mayor’s Office and wider GLA on a variety of different aspects: from managing daily financial decisions to setting long-term objectives; budget setting; and observing and recognising projects and opportunities in the market that may be worthy of development or investment. 

About the team

This post sits within the Chief Finance Officer’s (CFO) Directorate. Led by the Chief Finance Officer, this directorate provides corporate support to the Mayor and the Assembly and is responsible for finance, performance and governance functions. This includes setting and monitoring the GLA’s budget, overseeing the performance management and reporting process and the governance arrangements for the GLA.

About the role

This role sits within the Financial Services team, which manages the GLA’s finances and leads on budget-setting, budget monitoring and the closure of the accounts. In addition, the team works closely with other teams across the CFO Directorate, including the performance team which oversees the delivery of grants across the GLA.

We are recruiting for a Finance Business Partner to coordinate the GLA’s overall budget formulation process, ensuring that all budget submissions are accurate, realistic, and aligned with organisational requirements. It includes responsibility for the accuracy and effectiveness of the budget model, maintaining its integrity and ensuring it supports informed financial decision making. The post holder will also prepare budget briefs and actively participate in related discussions, as well as produce clear and timely budget reports that support strategic planning and oversight. The post holder will need to be a qualified accountant and have significant experience in running effective budget models that are aligned to complex finance ledger coding structures.

This role will also act as finance grants lead across the GLA, meeting the requirements of the Integrated Settlement and the grants transformation programme. In addition, the role will extend to ad hoc projects that contribute to effective financial management and support continuous improvement across the organisation

Principal Accountability

• Lead and coordinate the annual budget formulation process, ensuring timelines are met, information requirements are clearly communicated, and all inputs from departments and stakeholders are effectively managed.  Gross revenue budget of £1bn and capital budget of £3bn. ensuring information is timely, reliable, and meets the needs of senior leaders, audit requirements, and governance bodies.
• Review and validate all budget submissions, checking for accuracy, realism, internal consistency, and alignment with organisational priorities, financial regulations, and strategic objectives.
• Maintain responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and overall effectiveness of the budget model, overseeing updates, scenario planning, structural improvements, and ensuring it remains a reliable tool for financial decision making.
• Prepare clear, concise, and analytically robust budget briefs, summarising key issues, risks, opportunities, and financial implications for senior leadership and decision making committees.
• Participate actively in budget discussions, providing professional financial advice, explaining the impact of proposed changes, and supporting evidence based decision making.
• Support continuous development of budgeting processes, identifying opportunities to enhance modelling capability, improve the quality of financial information, and strengthen financial management practices.
• Finance lead coordinator for grants received and grants allocated across the GLA. Working closely with the wider organisation to drive forward process improvements, audit actions and governance improvements.
• Deliver and contribute to ad hoc financial analysis and projects, particularly those that support organisational financial performance, long term planning, policy development, and continuous improvement. Influence and challenge strategic decisions ensuring stakeholders are fully aware of the financial impact, providing accurate management information to enable evidence-based decision making.
• Work collaboratively with finance colleagues, service leads, and external partners, ensuring strong working relationships and effective communication across the organisation in support of sound financial management.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial policies, regulatory frameworks, and internal controls, contributing to good governance, accountability, and transparency in all budgeting activities. Provide specialist advice ensuring the consistent and pragmatic application of statutory legislation, relevant policies and procedures, and codes of practice.  Advise directorate colleagues on appropriate accounting treatment ensuring that professional and corporate standards are upheld
• Offer innovative finance solutions to strategic issues based on specialist expertise and knowledge of the business area. 
• Provide coaching and support to enhance financial management capabilities amongst the GLA’s senior managers and directors to enable robust strategic financial planning and budget management.
• Represent the GLA on finance issues in its dealings with external bodies, to ensure that maximum benefit is derived for the GLA through full participation and exchange of ideas and information.
• Manage staff and budgets allocated to the job in accordance with the GLA's policies and Code of Ethics and Standards and ensure all contract management and procurement of services in accordance with policy and best value principles.
• Realise the benefits of London's diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London's communities.
• Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job and participating in multi-disciplinary cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams. 

Person Specification

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

• CCAB qualified (or equivalent) with up to date with CPD
• Significant experience in running effective budget models that are aligned to complex finance ledger coding structures
• Significant experience of working in the financial management function of a large and complex organisation
• Experience of providing credible professional advice, challenge, and innovative solutions to senior stakeholders
• Experience of implementing significant improvements to finance systems and processes
• Experience of presenting technical / complex financial information (orally and in writing) clearly and concisely to non-technical senior stakeholders
• Intermediate Excel and experience of interrogating financial systems to provide insight

Behavioural Competencies

Stakeholder Focus

 …is consulting with, listening to, and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Understands diverse stakeholder needs and tailors team deliverables accordingly
• Is a role model to others, encouraging them to think of Londoners first 
• Manages stakeholder expectations, so they are high but realistic
• Removes barriers to understanding the needs of diverse stakeholders, including hard to reach groups
• Focusses own and team’s efforts on delivering a quality and committed service

Planning and Organising

 … is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities, and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery
• Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits.
• Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders.
• Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard.
• Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables

Responding to Pressure and Change

 … is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Clarifies direction and adapts to changing priorities and uncertain times
• Minimises the pressure of change for the directorate, lessening the impact for the team.
• Uses change as an opportunity to improve ways of working, encouraging others’ buy-in.
• Keeps staff motivated and engaged during times of change, promoting the benefits.
• Takes ownership for communicating change initiatives clearly, ensuring smooth implementation.

Building and Managing Relationships

… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives
• Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities
• Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict  Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust, and respect
• Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership

Communicating and influencing

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.

 Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication
• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments
• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement
• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation

Strategic Thinking

….is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Translates GLA vision and strategy into practical and tangible plans for own team or delivery partners
• Consistently takes account of the wider implications of team’s actions for the GLA
• Encourages self and others to think about organisation’s long-term potential
• Informs strategy development by identifying gaps in current delivery or evidence
• Takes account of a wide range of public and partner needs to inform team’s work

Problem Solving

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable, and timely solutions.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Clarifies ambiguous problems, questioning assumptions to reach a fuller understanding
• Actively challenges the status quo to find new ways of doing things, looking for good practice
• Seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives to help produce workable strategies to address complex issues
• Initiates consultation on opportunities to improve work processes
• Supports the organisation to implement innovative suggestion

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• The supporting statement should be no more than 500 words and should cover why you are interested in the role and use the STAR method to highlight your relevant experience.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination. 

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Chris Tate, Head of Financial Management would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at Chris.Tate@london.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

Is this role eligible for sponsorship?

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: TBC

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. 

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening. 

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.