Finance Leader

Finance Leader

Dartford Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join us as a Finance Leader, driving financial performance in exciting construction projects.
  • Company: Laing O'Rourke is a global leader in engineering and construction with over 150 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative culture, opportunities for growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
  • Why this job: Shape financial insight for major UK projects and be part of a forward-thinking team.
  • Qualifications: You need to be a qualified accountant with strong analytical and communication skills.
  • Other info: We support diverse candidates and offer adjustments for interviews to ensure accessibility.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Location: Dartford and project visits when required

Are you a commercially astute finance professional looking to partner with project and commercial leaders in a dynamic construction environment? We are looking for a qualified Senior Finance Manager / Finance Leader to join our team and support key infrastructure and building projects through expert financial insight, reporting, and business partnering. In this high-impact role, you will work closely with the Head of Finance and project leadership teams to ensure strong financial performance across assigned projects—driving value, managing risks, and unlocking opportunities. You will play a vital part in supporting the financial integrity of our UK Business through accurate reporting, insightful analysis, and strategic input.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Build trusted relationships across project teams to understand and challenge financial performance, helping identify emerging risks and opportunities.
  • Lead timely and high-quality completion of core monthly finance deliverables.
  • Deliver meaningful insight and analysis for use in leadership reviews, profit enhancement sessions, and planning cycles.
  • Optimise project cash flows through deep operational understanding and integration into Hub-level cash planning.
  • Support internal and external audits by aligning project activity with financial standards and liaising with Group Finance.
  • Contribute to wider finance initiatives and ad hoc business needs.

About You:

  • Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
  • Proven ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders, with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Confident in managing deadlines, balancing priorities, and delivering under pressure.
  • Strong analytical capability, commercial awareness, and a track record in forecasting, budgeting and reporting.
  • Demonstrated experience improving processes and adding value in a finance role.

Desirable:

  • Experience with large, complex engineering or construction contracts.
  • Familiarity with COINs, Tagetik, and Power BI.
  • Background in a large, complex finance environment.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to shape how financial insight supports operational success on some of the UK's most significant construction projects. You will be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team where your expertise makes a real difference. Ready to take the next step? Apply now to be part of a team that builds more than just structures—help us build financial excellence.

About us:

We are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia. Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term health conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme’. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know prior to interview what adjustments are required as well as discussing how we can support you in the workplace. We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please get in touch.

Finance Leader employer: Laing O'Rourke

At Laing O'Rourke, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the construction sector. Our Dartford location provides a unique opportunity to engage with significant infrastructure projects while benefiting from professional growth through mentorship and strategic involvement in financial decision-making. Join us to make a meaningful impact and be part of a team that values your expertise and contributions.
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Contact Detail:

Laing O'Rourke Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Leader

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the construction industry and its financial nuances. Understanding how financial performance impacts project delivery will help you engage effectively with project teams and demonstrate your value during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the finance and construction sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends, which can give you an edge in interviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Brush up on your analytical skills, especially in forecasting and budgeting. Being able to showcase your ability to provide insightful analysis will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for this high-impact role.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience with large, complex contracts. If you have worked on similar projects, be ready to share specific examples of how you added value and improved processes, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Leader

Financial Analysis
Budgeting and Forecasting
Commercial Awareness
Stakeholder Management
Relationship Building
Risk Management
Cash Flow Optimisation
Reporting Skills
Process Improvement
Analytical Skills
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Communication Skills
Experience with Engineering or Construction Contracts
Familiarity with Financial Software (e.g., COINs, Tagetik, Power BI)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) and showcases your experience in finance roles, particularly in forecasting, budgeting, and reporting. Emphasise any relevant experience with large engineering or construction contracts.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and how your skills align with the company's needs. Highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and your strong analytical capabilities. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: In both your CV and cover letter, emphasise your excellent communication and relationship-building skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully partnered with project teams or senior leaders to drive financial performance and manage risks.

Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with financial reporting, cash flow optimisation, and process improvement. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the financial integrity of the UK business and support internal and external audits.

How to prepare for a job interview at Laing O'Rourke

✨Understand the Company and Its Projects

Before the interview, research Laing O'Rourke's recent projects and their impact on the construction industry. Being knowledgeable about their work will help you demonstrate your interest and show how your financial expertise can contribute to their success.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-world financial challenges in a construction environment. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed risks, optimised cash flows, or improved financial processes.

✨Highlight Your Stakeholder Management Skills

Since the role involves influencing senior stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you've built relationships and communicated effectively in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to advise and collaborate with project teams.

✨Showcase Your Analytical and Reporting Skills

Be prepared to discuss your experience with forecasting, budgeting, and reporting. Highlight any tools or software you've used, such as COINs or Power BI, and how they have helped you deliver meaningful insights in your previous positions.

Finance Leader
Laing O'Rourke
Location: Dartford
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