Finance Business Partner

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Bolton

Reporting To: Nigel Carr

Description

As a Finance Business Partner at Sumer, supporting Cowgills, you will report directly to the Group Operational Financial Controller whilst working closely with the Managing Partner and wider leadership team. This is a highly visible role where business partnering is at the heart of success.

We're looking for someone who can go beyond the numbers. Alongside taking ownership of core finance activities including management accounts, budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, you'll bring financial insight to life - helping stakeholders understand the story behind the data, identifying opportunities and risks, and influencing decisions that drive business performance and growth.

You'll manage the local finance function, and act as a trusted advisor to the leadership team, providing commercial challenge, guidance, and clarity to support strategic decision making. This is a role for someone who enjoys combining strong technical finance foundations with genuine business partnering to create meaningful commercial impact.

The Role:

In this role you will:

• Produce accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reporting, alongside insightful variance analysis and commentary.
• Lead, develop, and support the finance team, creating a high-performing environment that delivers excellent financial stewardship and business support.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities, providing robust KPI reporting and performance analysis to support decision-making.
• Partner with the Managing Partner, leadership team, and operational managers to translate financial data into meaningful insight, drive accountability, and influence strategic decision-making.
• Take ownership of all group reporting requirements within a complex, multi-entity environment, ensuring accurate and timely submissions whilst collaborating with the Group Senior FP&A Manager to align reporting and business strategy.
• Operate within an audited environment, overseeing statutory accounts preparation, maintaining strong financial controls, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement across financial systems, processes, and controls, while supporting business growth, acquisitions, integrations, and the ongoing scalability of the organisation.

The Person:

You will have:

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualification with a minimum of four years' post-qualified experience.
• Proven Finance Business Partnering experience, with the ability to influence stakeholders, challenge constructively, and turn financial information into meaningful business insight.
• Previous line management experience, with the ability to lead, develop, and support a high-performing team.
• Experience working within a group, multi-entity, or other complex business environment, ideally supporting growth, change, acquisitions, or integrations.
• Strong expertise in management accounting, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis within an audited environment.
• Advanced Excel skills, strong IT literacy, and confidence using data and technology to support decision-making and performance management.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organisational skills, with the ability to build credibility, manage competing priorities, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

This is an opportunity to join a growing business where you'll have real visibility, influence, and impact. You'll work closely with senior leaders, play a key role in shaping business performance, and be part of a wider group with ambitious growth plans. As Sumer continues to expand, there will be many opportunities to develop your career, broaden your responsibilities, and progress within a fast-growing organisation.

Belong @ Sumer

At Sumer, we know everyone's journey is different. That's why we're committed to fairness, removing barriers and giving people the support they need to do their best work. If you need any support during the hiring process, just let us know.

Our values represent what matters most to us and guide how we work every day:

• We Shine Together
• We Do the Right Thing
• We Make It Count

We know diverse teams make us stronger. That's why we're creating an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs and differences are valued and celebrated