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- Tasks: Shape financial performance and optimise cost strategies for a growing international bank.
- Company: Crown Agents Bank, a regulated UK bank transforming payments in emerging markets.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, pension plan, private medical insurance, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and skill development in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real impact on global financial infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with extensive FP&A experience in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Crown Agents Bank is a vastly growing and regulated UK bank that connects emerging and frontier markets to the rest of the world, using FX and payments technology. We are transforming the way payments and FX move through emerging markets, reducing friction so that more money gets to those who need it. Our solutions help fix these pain points, ultimately connecting traditionally hard-to-reach regions to global financial infrastructure.
Role Purpose
The Finance Cost & Investment Business Partner will play a critical role in shaping the financial performance agenda of the Bank, focusing on reshaping the reporting and control of the Bank's operating Cost & Transformation Investment strategy to drive sustainable operating efficiency.
As a senior member of the FP&A team, the role partners closely with the Head of FP&A, Finance leadership, Regional CFOs, ExCo cost owners and the Transformation Team to deliver high quality financial insight, robust planning processes, and actionable recommendations that enable the Bank to optimise cost performance and allocate resources effectively.
Role Responsibilities
- Cost & Transformation financial reporting framework owner
- End to End owner of the Bank's operating cost and transformation investment spend.
- Lead the development and refinement of the Bank's cost & investment reporting framework, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
- Lead the transition of cost reporting from legacy systems to a new cloud-based platform.
- Performance Management & Business Partnering
- Partner with ExCo leaders and Regional CFOs to deliver timely, high-quality cost insight.
- Challenge business assumptions constructively, ensuring plans are realistic and evidence-based.
- Work closely with the Transformation Team and PMOs to provide rigorous financial modelling for project investments.
- Planning & Forecasting
- Lead delivery of the cost elements of the annual budget, multi-year plan, and rolling forecasts.
- Identify and deliver cost opportunities to reduce structural and run-rate costs.
- Drive improved transparency of cost drivers and efficiency ratios.
- Develop and maintain cost models to support scenario analysis.
- MI, Automation & Continuous Improvement
- Work with the Bank's external MI system provider to drive automation and standardisation of cost reporting.
- Enhance the quality and relevance of cost MI, including dashboards and executive reporting packs.
- Standardise and process engineer the Budget cost process.
- Governance, Controls & Stakeholder Management
- Strengthen cost governance frameworks across the bank.
- Be an active member in the Transformation Governance Framework.
- Present insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA/ICA
- Extensive FP&A experience within Financial Services.
- Proven delivery of cost optimisation and efficiency initiatives.
- Strong experience managing Transformation / Project investment reporting.
- Advanced financial modelling and analytical capability.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- Strong control mindset, accuracy, and attention to detail.
- Advanced Excel and strong PowerPoint skills.
- Self-motivated, results-driven, and able to own deliverables.
- Demonstrates strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
Preferred but not essential
- Experience with VENA or similar OLAP system.
- Familiarity with regulatory frameworks.
Additional Information
- Hybrid working
- Contributory personal pension plan
- Life Assurance - 4 times annual salary
- Group Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Discretionary Bonus
- Competitive Annual Leave
- 2 Volunteering Days
Cost and Investment Finance Business Partner employer: Crown Agents Bank
Contact Detail:
Crown Agents Bank Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost and Investment Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Crown Agents Bank on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the role. Personal connections can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the bank's mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your skills in cost optimisation and financial reporting align with their goals. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! You’ll likely need to present insights to senior stakeholders. Use mock interviews to refine your ability to communicate complex financial data clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Crown Agents Bank.
We think you need these skills to ace Cost and Investment Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Cost and Investment Finance Business Partner. Highlight your FP&A experience, cost optimisation skills, and any relevant financial modelling expertise. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about transforming financial performance in banking. Share specific examples of how you've driven cost initiatives or improved reporting processes in the past.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data interpretation and financial modelling, make sure to showcase your analytical skills. Mention any tools or systems you’ve used, like VENA or advanced Excel, that demonstrate your ability to handle complex datasets.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crown Agents Bank
✨Know Your Numbers
As a candidate for the Cost and Investment Finance Business Partner role, it's crucial to be well-versed in financial metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to cost optimisation and investment strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
This role demands strong analytical capabilities, so prepare to demonstrate your experience with financial modelling and scenario analysis. Bring examples of how you've tackled complex datasets and turned them into actionable insights that benefited your previous employers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be partnering with various stakeholders, practice articulating how you've successfully collaborated with senior leaders in the past. Think of specific instances where you influenced decision-making or challenged assumptions constructively, as this will show your ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your familiarity with financial reporting frameworks and tools like VENA. Brush up on your knowledge of regulatory frameworks and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented cost-control environments in previous roles. This will demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.