At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide financial insights and support to senior leaders for informed decision-making.
- Company: Network Rail, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to collaboration and integrity.
- Benefits: Hybrid working model, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a team that values diversity and offers career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding financial decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, strong Excel skills, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
Finance Business Partner – Inside IR35 (3 month contract) Hybrid basis: 2/3 days per week in Crawley office, remaining WFH. Role available only within the UK.
About the role
Are you passionate about making a real impact through insightful financial guidance? Do you enjoy helping leaders understand their numbers so they can make confident, informed decisions? If you're ready to bring your expertise to a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead on financial insight and support.
- Guide senior budget holders through their period results and forecasts, helping them clearly understand financial impacts and supporting them to make informed decisions about their business area.
- Act as the function's accounting expert.
- Provide advice on accounting practices, forecasts, results, accruals, transfers and adjustments—ensuring accounts remain accurate, reflective, and relevant.
- Champion strong governance.
- Oversee governance across your cost centres, conducting deep dives and ensuring compliance with financial regulations to safeguard the business from risk.
- Deliver high quality reporting.
- Produce accurate business review information and highlight significant issues or trends to enable effective, timely decision making.
- Influence and engage senior stakeholders.
- Build productive relationships with leaders, helping them understand their financial position and using your expertise to guide performance improving initiatives.
- Lead on business planning and budgeting.
- Create detailed, bottom up financial plans and budgets that support effective governance and add value for senior leaders.
- Identify and manage commercial risks.
- Assess and advise on the financial suitability of new customers or suppliers, ensuring risks are understood and minimized.
- Oversee central accounting performance.
- Manage the delivery of accounting services for your cost centre area, ensuring an efficient and effective service.
- Support investment and business case development.
- Collate, analyse, and present financial recommendations for investment appraisals and business cases.
- Drive efficiencies and opportunities.
- Model and analyse the cost base, identifying opportunities for efficiencies and supporting the team to meet performance targets.
Demonstrate strong understanding of business needs and relevant application of accounting standards.
Membership (or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA).
Expert knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining accounts and annual budget.
Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines.
Strong excel skills and use of data manipulation.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language.
Demonstrable effective influencing skills at a senior level.
Significant understanding of financial control and risk.
Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge.
Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects.
Membership of a relevant accounting body.
Extensive experience of Oracle based systems.
Degree or equivalent qualification in finance and accounting or business management or experience.
Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Network Rail guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.
In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.
In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Network Rail guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.
In cases where we have a high volume of ex‑military candidates / military spouses or partners who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
This role falls in scope of the Off‑Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such, the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.
Finance Business Partner employer: Great British Energy Group
Network Rail is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to make a meaningful impact through their financial expertise. With a strong commitment to professional development and diversity, including support for candidates with disabilities and veterans, employees can thrive in a supportive environment while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in Crawley. Join us to be part of a team that values integrity, continuous improvement, and the opportunity to influence key business decisions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Reach out to your connections in the finance world and let them know you're on the lookout for a Finance Business Partner role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial insights and governance knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've helped leaders make informed decisions in the past. We want to see you shine and show off your expertise!
✨Tip Number 3
When you get that interview, don’t just talk about your skills—show how you can add value to their team. Bring examples of how you've driven efficiencies or managed risks in previous roles. This will help you stand out as the perfect fit for the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let’s get you that Finance Business Partner role!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially your expertise in financial guidance and stakeholder engagement.
Showcase Your Numbers Skills:Since this role is all about helping leaders understand their numbers, be sure to include specific examples of how you've successfully guided senior budget holders in the past. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact!
Keep It Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Avoid jargon and keep your language straightforward. Remember, you want to make it easy for us to see how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure your application gets to the right people and you won’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Great British Energy Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial insights. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how they impact decision-making. Prepare examples of how you've guided leaders through financial results and forecasts.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Strong interpersonal skills are crucial for this role. Practice explaining complex accounting concepts in simple terms. Think about how you can engage senior stakeholders and influence their decisions with your financial knowledge.
✨Showcase Your Governance Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with financial governance and compliance. Highlight any past roles where you’ve conducted deep dives into cost centres or ensured adherence to financial regulations. This will show your commitment to safeguarding the business from risk.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Prowess
You’ll need to model and analyse financial data effectively. Bring examples of how you’ve identified efficiencies or managed commercial risks in previous roles. Show that you can not only crunch numbers but also provide actionable insights that drive performance.
