Finance Business Partner HRA

Sandwell Council is partnering with Robertson Bell in the recruitment of a Finance Business Partner Housing Revenue Account (HRA) on a permanent basis. This is a critical role within the Finance and Transformation directorate, providing dedicated business partnering support to Housing services and overseeing the financial sustainability of the Council's Housing Revenue Account.

This role sits at the heart of one of the most important financial areas within the organisation. You will play a key role in supporting Housing leaders to navigate significant financial pressures, while helping shape a sustainable future for one of the largest HRAs in the country.

The organisation:

Sandwell is a metropolitan borough in the Black Country, which is made up of six towns Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich.

Located in the West Midlands, Sandwell borders Birmingham city, Dudley borough, Walsall borough and Wolverhampton city. The borough has excellent access to the national motorway network with five junctions feeding into the M5 and M6 motorways serving the South West, South East and North West regions of the UK.

Sandwell also benefits from a mainline train station Sandwell and Dudley and the Midland Metro. The borough has 1,200 hectares of parks, playing fields and local green space, and over 30 miles of canals.

Sandwell Council is on a powerful journey of improvement and transformation. Having become the fastest council ever to exit intervention, and shortlisted for Most Improved Council at the 2025 LGC Awards, they are proud of the progress they're making and the direction they're heading.

The Finance team is growing and ambitious, with a strong focus on learning and development, supporting colleagues to build rewarding careers while helping shape outstanding public services. As they work towards becoming a CIPFA accredited employer, this is an exciting time to join a team that values talent, invests in people, and is committed to excellence.

The role:

• Act as the dedicated finance business partner to Housing services, providing clear, pragmatic and constructive financial advice.
• Work closely with budget holders to develop and deliver savings plans that align expenditure with reduced rental income.
• Support the costing, implementation and monitoring of savings initiatives across the HRA.
• Provide robust financial challenge, clearly articulating the financial position of the HRA while building trust and buy in from senior stakeholders.
• Lead on budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting for the HRA, highlighting risks, opportunities and mitigation plans.
• Support longer term financial planning to improve the sustainability of the HRA.
• Ensure compliance with relevant HRA regulations, guidance and financial governance requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in HRA financial processes, controls and reporting.

The successful candidate will have:

• A full CCAB accountancy qualification.
• Experience working as a finance business partner or in a similar stakeholder facing finance role.
• Experience of Housing Revenue Account finance is desirable, though candidates from other backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• The ability to communicate complex financial issues clearly and confidently to non-finance stakeholders.
• Strong relationship building skills, with the resilience to operate in a challenging financial environment.
• A proactive and solutions focused mindset, with the credibility to influence decision making.
• The ambition and capability to develop within a large and complex organisation.

The closing date for applications is the 1st March, with interviews expected to take place week commencing the 16th of March. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. Please submit your CV to Sandwell Council's exclusive recruitment partner, Robertson Bell, to avoid missing out.