Job Description

Details

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Reference number

442816

Salary

38,820 - 46,203
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Other

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Finance

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Stratford

About the job

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Job summary

We are looking for a proactive and strategic Commercial Finance Business Partner to work closely with Regional Business Directors and leadership teams across SSA and other regions. In this role, you will help shape and deliver a sustainable, financially successful, and high-quality portfolio of contracts.



You will provide expert financial insight, management information, and commercial advice to guide decision-making throughout the contract lifecycle?from opportunity development to delivery. This includes conducting rigorous financial appraisals of new business opportunities using our costing and pricing models, ensuring risks are understood and contracts deliver value for money while aligning with Cultural Engagement priorities on surplus, quality, partnerships, and impact.



As a key decision influencer, you will offer independent commercial challenge and regional financial sign-off on bids and contracts, making clear recommendations on financial viability, risk, and return. You will also support regional financial planning and forecasting for client-funded contracts, producing high-quality analysis and insights to drive performance improvement.


This is a high-visibility role within the Cultural Engagement Strategic Business Unit, requiring strong strategic thinking, analytical capability, and relationship-building skills. Operating in a complex, multi-location international environment, you will need to demonstrate commercial acumen, forward-looking perspective, and the ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, operational teams, and finance colleagues.

Job description

The role drives multi-year financial planning for regional contracts, ensuring sustainability and viability, and analyses donor landscapes to assess financial implications of different contract types and service models.


A core responsibility is leading rigorous financial appraisals of new opportunities, applying consistent pricing and costing models, and monitoring benefits against investment, while maintaining oversight of the regional contract portfolio to ensure an appropriate balance of risk and return.


Across the full contract lifecycle, the role provides commercial support for pipeline reviews, risk assessments, pricing, approvals, and reporting. It evaluates financial proposals, conducts quality reviews of bids, and presents recommendations to improve governance, profitability, and risk mitigation. It drafts financial narratives to strengthen tenders and helps negotiate balanced terms with funders, partners and suppliers.


The role supports smooth transitions from contract award to delivery, embedding learning from programme monitoring and promoting efficiency and value creation.


Championing Cultural Engagement as a centre of excellence in commercial and contract finance by sharing best practice and building regional capability in commercial awareness and value for money.


The role manages risk and compliance by identifying and communicating material financial risks, liaising with global finance teams, ensuring reporting processes meet requirements and supporting audits. Leadership responsibilities include deputising for the Head of Commercial Finance when required.

Person specification

Operating in international and multi-cultural organisations Knowledge of and experience of commercial finance activity in bid pursuit and tendering environments Proficiency in financial modelling and analysis. Excellent working knowledge of cost & pricing tools and advanced Excel. Awareness of tax and treasury implications of contract/partnership work in an international context Business partnering experience, (minimum of 5 years), with at least 3 years recently supporting business development teams. Qualified accountant with proven experience of successfully managing and delivering similar roles.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 38,820, British Council contributes 11,246 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

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Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

please apply directly via the website. This is the link: https://careers.britishcouncil.org/careers/job/563705889574270



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : askhr Email : askhr@britishcouncil.org
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Recruitment team

* Email : askhr@britishcouncil.org