At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and partner with teams to drive commercial success.
- Company: Join Collinson, a global leader in travel experiences and customer engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Diverse team environment focused on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the travel industry while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Degree and qualified accountant with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Collinson is the global, privately‑owned company dedicated to helping the world travel with ease and confidence.
The group offers a unique blend of industry and sector specialists who together provide market‑leading airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement, and insurance solutions for over 400 million consumers.
Collinson is the operator of Priority Pass, the world’s original and leading airport experiences programme.
Travellers can access a network of 1,500+ lounges and travel experiences, including dining, retail, sleep and spa, in over 650 airports in 148 countries, helping to elevate the journey into something special.
We work with the world’s leading payment networks, over 1,400 banks, 90 airlines and 20 hotel groups worldwide.
We have been bringing innovation to the market since inception – from launching the first independent global VIP lounge access Programme, Priority Pass to being the first to sell direct travel insurance in the UK through Columbus Direct and creating the first loyalty agency of its kind in the travel sector with ICLP.
Today we still invest heavily in innovation to ensure that we continue to deliver superior customer experiences.
Key clients include Mastercard, American Express, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, LATAM, Flying Blue, Accor, Easy Jet, HSBC, Chase, HDFC.
Our mission is focused on doing good beyond profit, which for us means we seek out opportunities for our people to share in our success and that we give back to the communities and people within which we work.
Never short of ambition, the success of our business is delivered through the diverse and talented team of over 2,200 global colleagues.
Purpose of the job
The Senior Finance Business Partner is a senior finance leadership role responsible for partnering with the Global Strategic Partnerships team to drive commercial performance, support strategic decision‑making and enhance financial outcomes across the business.
Working closely with the VP Commercial Finance – Partnerships and senior stakeholders across the Global Strategic Partnerships organisation, the role provides financial leadership on strategic partner relationships, investment decisions, commercial initiatives and growth opportunities, ensuring decisions are supported by robust financial analysis, commercial insight and a clear focus on value creation.
The role acts as a trusted deputy to the VP Commercial Finance – Partnerships & Overheads, supporting engagement with executive stakeholders and business leadership through the provision of meaningful financial insight, strategic challenge and performance recommendations.
The role will play a key part in shaping commercial strategy for strategically important Tier 1 and Tier 1A partnerships while driving accountability for financial performance across the organisation.
Alongside business partnering responsibilities, the role is accountable for leading the ongoing evolution of the Partnerships Finance function, managing a team of 3 Finance Business Partners.
This includes developing consistent ways of working across regions, improving the quality, timeliness and relevance of financial reporting, strengthening governance frameworks, driving process standardisation and implementing continuous improvements across planning, forecasting and performance management processes.
The role will work closely with FP&A, Commercial Finance, Tax, Operations, Product, Legal and Contracting teams to improve financial insight, develop meaningful performance metrics and create scalable finance processes that support both strategic decision‑making and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Business Partnering & Commercial Leadership
- Act as the senior finance partner to the Global Strategic Partnerships team.
- Partner closely with the VP Commercial Finance – Partnerships & Overheads to support strategic planning, executive stakeholder engagement and business performance management.
- Support the development and execution of growth strategies for strategically important Tier 1 and Tier 1A partnerships.
- Influence business decisions through commercial insight, financial analysis and constructive challenge.
- Support commercial negotiations, contract discussions and strategic partner reviews.
- Develop compelling financial insights, recommendations and performance narratives for senior leadership.
- Drive improved understanding of partner economics, profitability drivers and value creation opportunities.
- Drive improvements in Partnership financial analytics and KPIs by partnering closely with the Finance Analytics team to develop new models such as Lounge Profitability.
- Finance Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach and develop a team of three regional Finance Business Partners.
- Establish consistent expectations, deliverables and operating standards across regions.
- Build organisational capability across the Finance Business Partnering team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvement.
- Finance Excellence, Standardisation & Continuous Improvement
- Lead the continuous improvement agenda across the global Partnerships Finance function.
- Drive standardisation of forecasting, budgeting, month‑end analysis and performance reporting processes across all regions.
- Improve the efficiency, quality and scalability of Finance Business Partnering activities.
- Develop strong partnerships with SMEs across Finance, including FP&A, Commercial Finance and Tax.
- Reporting, KPIs & Performance Insight
- Drive improvements in management reporting to deliver more relevant, actionable and timely insights.
- Develop and implement meaningful KPIs aligned with business strategy and operational objectives.
- Partner with FP&A teams to improve the design, usability and accuracy of financial reporting.
- Simplify and refine forecasting processes while maintaining appropriate controls.
- Governance, Controls & Investment Management
- Own governance processes and financial stewardship across the Partnerships Finance function.
- Ensure appropriate financial controls are embedded within planning, forecasting, reporting and decision‑making processes.
- Improve visibility, accessibility and governance of business cases and investment decisions.
- Cross‑Functional Operational Improvement
- Champion operational improvements that enhance business performance and Finance effectiveness.
- Lead initiatives that improve contracting, reporting, forecasting inputs, information flows and operational controls.
- Collaborate with Operations, Contracting, Tax, Commercial Finance and other specialist teams to deliver sustainable improvements.
- Knowledge, skills and experience required
- Educated to degree level or equivalent & Qualified Accountant (ACCA/ACA)
- Highly numerate
- Financial Performance Analysis and Spend Management
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Business Case Analysis, Development and Assurance
- Comfortable working in a matrix environment
- High level of Commercial Acumen
- Strong analytical capability
- Track record of dealing with ambiguity
- Strong influencing and communication skills at a Sr. level. Must be fluent in English, multi‑language skills welcomed
- Excellent interpersonal communications, good listener, persuasive manner
- Detail focused with strong organisation and planning skills
- Excellent MS Excel skills
- High personal levels of motivation and delivery oriented focus
- A proactive, forward looking and challenging mindset
Essential Experience
- Experience in developing robust business case models for investment decisions and new products.
- Experience working in a complex matrix business environment with senior management with demonstrable skills in challenging and collaborating with this type of stakeholder.
- Demonstrable experience of driving value through effective analysis and management of financial information.
- Ability to interact with and develop working relationships internally and externally to achieve best outcomes for the business and customer.
- Experience at building relationships at senior management level.
- Keen interest and demonstrated experience driving process improvement and change.
- Dedication to continuous improvement on controls, processes and overall governance.
Collinson is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes differences in all their forms including: colour, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, family status, age, individuals with disabilities and people from all backgrounds, cultures and experiences as we strongly believe this contributes to our on‑going success.
We are focused on continually evolving our purpose driven, high performing culture, providing an environment where our people have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and do interesting and meaningful work.
Our company values are: Take Action, Do the right thing, One team and Be insight led.
These help guide everything we do internally in terms of how we think, act and interact, right through to how we deliver value to our customers and clients.
In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).
If you need any extra support throughout the interview process, then please email us at ukrecruitment@collinsongroup. com
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Senior Finance Business Partner Finance · London · employer: Collinson Group
Collinson Group is an excellent employer that fosters a welcoming and inclusive work culture in the heart of Greater London. With a focus on employee growth and development, we offer flexible part-time roles that allow you to balance your personal commitments while contributing to a dynamic team. Join us to be part of a diverse environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner Finance · London ·
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Collinson Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner Finance · London ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Collinson Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Collinson Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Collinson Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Collinson Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Collinson Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Collinson Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
