We are seeking a commercially focused Finance Business Partner to support senior business leaders within a specific UK division of the global law firm. This role is responsible for providing financial insight and partnering with stakeholders to drive profitable growth, improve financial performance and support strategic decision-making.
The successful candidate will combine strong financial analysis skills with excellent relationship management, acting as a trusted advisor to Partners, Divisional and Business Services leaders.
Team
Kennedys Finance supports the firm globally through the delivery of timely, accurate financial and management information, commercial insight, reporting solutions and operational support that underpin decision-making across the business. The team plays a key role in enabling sustainable growth, improving performance and maintaining the high standard of service provided to the firm's internal and external clients.
Our Finance function includes Financial Reporting, Tax, Treasury, Business Intelligence, Business Partnering and Analytics, Procurement, Finance Systems and Financial Operations, working in partnership with practice and business services leaders across the firm's international network.
Kennedys operates across the UK, EMEA, LATAM, APAC and the US, and this role will play a key part in delivering consistent, high-quality financial operations across the firm's international office network.
Key Responsibilities
Build trusted relationships with Partners, Divisional and Business Services leaders
Lead financial performance discussions with divisional leadership teams, translating financial analysis into actionable plans that improve profitability, working capital and sustainable growth
Attend regular business review meetings, presenting financial performance and identifying opportunities and risks
Responsible for leading annual planning process and forecasting cycles for specific UK divisions and clients, working with divisional leaders, HR, BD and finance to ensure assumptions, risks and opportunities are clearly understood.
Produce and analyse key commercial reporting, providing insight on performance, working capital, profitability and financial risks and opportunities.
Challenge and influence Partners and leaders to improve financial outcomes, balancing commercial, operational and client considerations.
Partner with Client Relationship Partners and Business Development teams to improve client profitability, pricing outcomes and cross-selling opportunities.
Identify opportunities to improve reporting, planning and forecasting processes.
Required Experience
Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
Significant Finance Business Partnering experience within a professional services environment (legal sector experience advantageous), with demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders
Experience supporting senior stakeholders and influencing decision making
Advanced Excel skills and experience using reporting tools, including PowerBI
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
Excellent presentation and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Highly collaborative with excellent relationship-building skills
Knowledge of legal financial metrics including profitability, utilisation, recovery, leverage and lock-up.
Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to be made in order to submit your application to Kennedys.
- where a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and represents the amount of time we would usually expect a candidate to accumulate the requisite level of experience. This does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.
