The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required have also been included. Workplace role categories describe our approach to workplace attendance

Salary:  £66,190 - £75,010
Contractual Hours: 35 hours per week
Basis:  Fixed Term – 12 months
Workplace category:   Hybrid
Attachments: Job Information Pack

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama – a global leader in creative and performing arts education – is seeking a dynamic Senior Finance Business Partner to lead its finance operations and support strategic decision-making at the highest level.

As part of the City of London Corporation, the Guildhall School is uniquely positioned at the intersection of education, culture, and public service. This is a rare opportunity to join a values-driven organisation with a strong public purpose and a bold vision for the future.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you’ll lead a talented team delivering both management and financial accounting services to the School. You’ll act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, drive the delivery of key statutory returns, support strategic planning, and help shape the financial foundation that enables artistic and academic excellence.

You’ll also play a key role in process improvement, digital transformation, and governance – contributing directly to the long-term sustainability and performance of the School.

We’re looking for a qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant with substantial post-qualification experience, ideally gained within higher education or a complex public sector environment. You’ll bring:

• A strong grasp of financial planning, analysis, and reporting
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire finance teams
• Experience delivering strategic financial advice at senior levels
• Expertise in managing funding and statutory compliance, including Office for Students returns
• A track record of delivering change and innovation in finance functions

Your ability to build relationships, communicate clearly, and work collaboratively will be essential to your success.

Closing date: 12 noon on 17 July 2025

To apply online please click the Apply online button below.

Alternatively, please contact 020 7332 3978 (24 hr answerphone) quoting reference number OCHA668 if you experience any difficulties.  A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732.

If this role is advertised as a secondment, secondments are subject to the agreement of your department releasing you, therefore, you need to discuss this with your line manager prior to applying. The purpose of this will be to discuss what, if any, impact your secondment might have on the service and service delivery should your application be successful, and how this might be addressed.

The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We reserve the right to close the advert earlier should we receive a high number of applications.

Because our roles are so varied, we don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ policy for workplace attendance. How many days a week you’ll be required to attend your workplace will depend on the requirements of your role. It’s important that you understand the requirements before applying to ensure you are able to meet them. We are committed to considering requests to work flexibly and job share. Requests will be considered by the recruiting manager in line with our policies and business needs.

For more information on our categories for workplace attendance, please view our guide here. 

We will be reviewing this policy and approach at regular intervals to ensure we’re meeting our attendance needs.