At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial performance on complex projects and support strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join Buro Happold, a global consultancy focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, generous holiday, and continuous development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture with excellent career growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while shaping the built environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in management accounting and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Ready to lead financial performance on complex projects? Join us as a Finance Unit Lead (12-month FTC). This person can be based in our Bath office on a hybrid working model. We are looking for a Finance Unit Lead to join our UK+ Finance team on a 12-month fixed-term basis. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role within a well-established and collaborative finance function, supporting our Advisory and Projects Units.
About The Role
As part of a global, multidisciplinary consultancy, our work spans complex, high-profile projects that shape the built environment and drive sustainable outcomes. The Finance Unit Lead plays a critical role in enabling this impact, working at the intersection of finance, operations and project delivery. You’ll gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of work, partnering with senior leaders to influence strategic decisions, improve financial performance and ensure our projects are commercially successful. This role offers a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise with real business influence in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading the end-to-end production of management accounts for Advisory and Projects Units.
- Owning project financial reporting, ensuring accurate revenue and cost recognition.
- Producing budgets and quarterly forecasts, supporting forward planning.
- Delivering monthly reporting packs and consolidated results for senior leadership.
- Providing commercial insight, identifying risks and opportunities across the project portfolio.
- Partnering closely with Unit leaders, Project Directors and Project Operations teams.
- Presenting financial analysis and KPIs at leadership meetings.
- Supporting and coordinating a small finance team, fostering collaboration and high performance.
- Driving continuous improvement across financial processes and reporting.
- Ensuring compliance with financial policies and governance standards.
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking a commercially minded, proactive finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced, project-based environment.
You’ll Bring
- Experience in management accounting, project accounting, or business partnering.
- A track record of supporting senior stakeholders and contributing to decision-making.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- The confidence to challenge and influence outcomes constructively.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Advanced Excel capability and strong financial systems awareness.
- The ability to prioritise and deliver to tight deadlines.
Experience Of The Following Would Be Advantageous
- Engineering, consultancy, or construction environments.
- Systems such as Agresso or Deltek Vantagepoint.
Qualifications
Fully qualified (or finalist) CIMA, ACCA or ACA.
Why Join Buro Happold?
At Buro Happold, we believe in creating a better, more sustainable world. You’ll be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence. We offer a supportive environment where your contributions make a real difference.
What We Offer You
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Attractive salary.
- Discretionary bonus.
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
- Generous company pension scheme, life assurance and income protection.
- Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
- Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
- A strong commitment to continuous development.
- Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions.
- A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities.
- An opportunity to support your local community and those in society that are most in need, wherever they are located in the world through our Share Our Skills (SOS) programme.
- A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.
- An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won't be far from exceptional.
Finance Unit Lead in Bath employer: Buro Happold
Contact Detail:
Buro Happold Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Unit Lead in Bath
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about roles that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their financial performance and be ready to discuss how your skills can help improve it. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who can make a real impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As a Finance Unit Lead, you'll need to present financial analysis and KPIs to senior leaders. Grab a friend or use a mirror to rehearse your delivery and ensure you come across as confident and knowledgeable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Unit Lead in Bath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Finance Unit Lead role. Highlight your management accounting experience and any project-based work you've done, as this will show us you're a great fit for the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about finance and how your background aligns with our mission. Don't forget to mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your analytical skills and stakeholder engagement.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since we're looking for someone with advanced Excel capabilities and financial systems awareness, make sure to include any relevant software experience in your application. This will help us see how you can hit the ground running in our fast-paced environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at Buro Happold
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Unit Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. Prepare examples of how you've improved financial performance or managed budgets effectively.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the company's projects and their impact on the built environment. Research recent projects they've undertaken and think about how your skills can contribute to their success. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in project accounting or management accounting and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves partnering with senior leaders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be prepared to discuss how you've influenced decision-making in the past and how you can foster collaboration within teams. Show that you can communicate complex financial information in an accessible way.