Senior Finance Business Partner

Royal Ballet and Opera 
Senior Finance Business Partner
Circa £65,000
Permanent, Full-time 
Hybrid working, 3 days a week in the office
Closest station Covent Garden

The Royal Ballet and Opera stand as iconic institutions in the UK’s performing arts landscape, dedicated to delivering world-class ballet and opera performances that inspire, captivate, and enrich. Our mission is to combine innovation with tradition, reaching diverse audiences and expanding our impact on both national and international stages. With a focus on enhancing accessibility, fostering partnerships, and diversifying our revenue streams, we are committed to a sustainable future that continues to support and celebrate artistic excellence.

To support this ambitious vision, we are seeking a commercially-focused Senior Finance Business Partner who will play a key role in identifying and driving alternative revenue streams. This strategic position will focus on building the financial foundation for growth, while supporting new commercial ventures that enhance the Royal Ballet and Opera’s impact and reach.

As Senior Finance Business Partner, you will work closely with the Chief Commercial Officer & Chief Financial Officer to provide financial insights and direction that align with our artistic and commercial goals. You will lead the financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting process, with an emphasis on identifying opportunities for income generation and maximising returns from existing and new revenue streams. You will also collaborate with key departments to evaluate and implement commercial initiatives, including venue hire, sponsorship, merchandise, digital content, and membership programs, helping to diversify income while supporting our mission.

Reporting to the CCO, this role will oversee a Management Accountant, to provide business and financial support for the Audiences and Commercial division. This includes day to day financial analysis and reporting, support for longer term strategic planning, review of progress against strategic objectives, management of financial controls and general finance support.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join the Royal Ballet and Opera at a transformative time. If you are passionate about supporting the arts and have a strong commercial acumen to drive financial growth in a world-renowned cultural institution, we invite you to apply for this impactful role.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders and work in partnership with other teams providing data and analysis relevant to the business strategy.
• Use data from various data sources to understand historic trends and use this information to create financial models and presentations to inform budget decisions.
• Create income and cost Key Performance Indicators and research other organisations to measure performance.
• Provide timely and accurate monthly management accounts including income and  expenditure, balance sheet reconciliations and Key Performance Indicators.
• Prepare budgets according to timelines in discussion with the team, Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
• Prepare monthly rolling forecasts of income and expenditure, working closely with other members of the Team.
• Undertake monthly reviews with budget holders to review income and direct costs and feedback to key stakeholders where necessary.
• Lead and line manage direct report effectively, with due regard to performance management, development, coaching, guidance, training, recruitment and retention.
• With direct report, build in routine one to one supervision meetings to provide an infrastructure of information flow and support.

Who are we looking for?

• A formally qualified accountant 
• Relevant and appropriate experience in finance and management accounting obtained in a complex organisation
• Experience in budgeting and forecasting in a complex organisation 
• An excellent communicator who is able to influence at all levels within the organisation
• Ability to work on own initiative, assess priorities and be proactive.

Royal Ballet and Opera are fully open to sector experience. As such we welcome candidates from industry, charity or practice backgrounds.

Timetable:
Closing deadline:             Sunday 24th November
1st round interviews:        28th November
2nd round interviews:       w/c 2nd December
3rd round interviews:        w/c 9th December 

Next steps?
Royal Ballet and Opera are proud to partner with Allen Lane and Iain Slinn on this recruitment. To apply for this position, reach out to Iain Slinn