Finance Business Partner - Cost Strategy & Performance
London, UK
Description
Reporting to the Global Head of Employee Costs, this is a high visibility role supporting executive level decision making, improve transparency, and strengthen financial discipline. Working closely with the CFO, CTO,CHRO,CIO and other functions.
In parallel, the role leads the strategy for automation within the people cost finance team, helping modernise processes, enhance data quality, and reduce reliance on manual, fragmented activity — enabling Finance to operate at pace and at scale.
Key accountabilities
- :Act as a trusted finance partner to senior leaders across central functions, providing clear financial insight and constructive challenge
- .Support function leads with robust finance input into workforce planning, operating model decisions and initiatives
- .Present complex people cost information in a clear, executive ready way to support timely and well-informed decisions
- .Run the Annual Plan and Forecasting process, reviews and governance sign offs
People Cost Planning & Performan
- ceLead the finance input to people cost budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning across the enterpris
- e.Develop insight into key cost drivers including headcount, pay, incentives, benefits, and workforce mi
- x.Monitor performance against plan, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and support corrective action
- s.Ensure consistency, comparability, and transparency of people cost information across the organisatio
Automation & Process Improvement (People Cost Finan
- ce)Define and drive the automation strategy for people cost finance activities, aligned with Finance Transformation prioriti
- es.Identify opportunities to streamline and automate processes such as headcount reporting, forecasting updates, and management reporti
- ng.Work in partnership with HR Systems, Finance Systems, and finance change teams to develop practical, sustainable solutio
- ns.Improve data accuracy, control, and efficiency while reducing manual effort and operational ri
- sk.Act as a sponsor for continuous improvement and modern finance capability within the people cost ar
Leadership & Influ
- enceLead through influence, credibility, and expertise rather than formal author
- ity.Build strong, collaborative relationships across Finance, HR, and Technol
- ogy.Support the Global Head of Employee Costs in shaping enterprise-wide people cost strategy and standa
- rds.Champion a more data-led, efficient, and forward-looking approach to people cost managem
Skills, Experience & Pr
- ntialFully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equival
- ent).Strong Finance business partnering experience in a complex organisa
- tion.Strong understanding of people costs and workforce-related financial dri
- vers.Experience leading or contributing to finance automation or process improvement initiat
- ives.Confidence working with senior stakeholders and influencing at executive l
- evel.Working knowledge of workday, power BI and adap
Des
- irableExperience partnering closely with HR, IT and Finance func
- tions.Exposure to finance or enterprise transformation progr
- ammes.Power user of BI, workday and ada
- ptive.Strong interest in digital enablement and modern finance operating m
What you will get in
- return:A genuinely unique opportunity to be part of an expanding large global bu
- siness.Competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and expe
- rience.Training and development opport
- unitiesA high level of visibility within a large organisation on an upwards tra
- jectoryBeing part of a high performing team with a strong team
