Finance Business Partner

Job summary

Working towards sustainable futures. Championing diversity in the workplace. At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), it’s all in a day’s work. From HR to Finance, Policy to Communications, this is work that sustains and supports, where everyone’s voice is heard, and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. For a career packed with possibility, a comprehensive benefits package, where we live by our values and have the opportunity to improve the lives of people across the UK, look no further.

We are looking for an experienced, qualified finance or part qualified professional to join our small team providing financial support to DWP Commercial colleagues. The team supports a portfolio valued at more than £3bn covering a wide variety of contracts across a number of areas, including contact centres, banking, travel, resourcing, logistics, and document management. It is a fast-moving and interesting role, and you will be in the heart of decision-making for some of DWP’s most critical contracts.

The successful candidate will operate as a Finance Business Partner (FBP) in a commercial environment. They will provide professional financial advice and strategic insight on the financial implications of commercial contracts and commercial strategy decisions. Acting as a trusted business partner to senior stakeholders, they will influence decision-making by aligning financial analysis with commercial objectives. Responsibilities will involve providing support throughout the commercial lifecycle, including delivery model assessment, design of pricing mechanisms, procurement support, evaluation of tenders, assessment of supplier viability and in-life management. The role requires proactive engagement with commercial teams to ensure robust financial governance, value for money, and compliance with Managing Public Money and the Cabinet Office Sourcing Playbook.

The role involves working in multi-disciplinary teams across the department and is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to hone their commercial skills. You will be joining a friendly, high performing, and highly collaborative team known for supporting one another and delivering excellent results. The team fosters a positive, inclusive, and energising atmosphere where people genuinely enjoy working together.

This leadership role offers opportunities for both personal growth and the development of others, and the chance to contribute to a team culture that values partnership, shared success, and continuous improvement.

Job description

We are looking for a qualified or part qualified finance business partner with commercial experience to collaborate with Commercial and Business experts on procurements and in-life management of critical public sector contracts. Activities will include (but are not limited to):

1) Using Commercial and Finance Expertise to support complex procurements by:

• Contributing to Delivery Model Assessment to determine the most appropriate delivery method for the service.
• Developing Should Cost analysis and comparison with insource options.
• Developing pricing options and payment mechanisms which appropriately allocate risk between the department and the supplier.
• Drafting tender documents including payment schedules, reporting requirements and sustainability clauses.
• Undertaking financial evaluation of bids.
• Participating in procurement dialogue and contributing to commercial negotiation.
• Analysing supplier financial statements and assessing financial viability, providing clear recommendations that support commercial assurance and risk management.

2) Providing Insight, Analysis and Decision Support:

• Providing advice and insight to support data driven decision making and working collaboratively with other functional experts at all levels to deliver shared objectives.
• Leading reviews and analysing open book data (routinely and ad-hoc basis) to ensure the department is gaining the maximum economic value from contracts.

3) Collaborating:

• Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams—including Commercial, Policy, Digital and Operational colleagues—to provide integrated advice and deliver shared departmental outcomes.

4) Leadership:

• Leading and developing a small team of finance professionals, through direct line management alongside matrix leadership, ensuring high standards and delivery of team and corporate objectives,
• Acting as a financial leader and adviser, demonstrating professional and personal credibility and generating confidence in senior stakeholders.

Hybrid working

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office.

If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert.

This role can only be worked from the UK and not overseas.

Working Pattern

DWP are committed to flexible working patterns, and keen to support alternative working patterns where business needs allow. The working hours we can support will depend on which role you are offered (if there is more than one role now or in the future) and if there is capacity to operate the role part-time or job share.

Visas

For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.

Locations

You will be asked for your preferences for up to 3 locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location.

Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, Blackpool, Sheffield & London, these locations will be changing:

• Newcastle Benton Park View will move to Newcastle Pilgrim Place in Autumn 2027
• Sheffield Hartshead Square will move to Sheffield 1 West Bar Hub in 2028
• Blackpool Peel Park will move to Blackpool, Fylde View in April 2027
• London Caxton House will move to London Sanctuary House in Summer 2027

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles here.

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences, where appropriate, and the geographical requirements of the business. Dependent on your position on the merit list, if none of your location preferences remain at the point we make a job offer DWP may offer you a role at an alternative advertised location. If we are unable to offer you a role in any of your preferred locations, and you are unable to accept a role at an alternative