At a Glance
- Tasks: Support budgeting, forecasting, and deliver project performance analysis in a creative design studio.
- Company: Join a globally recognised design studio during an exciting growth phase.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and a hybrid work model.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative and dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in financial decision-making for innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified accountant with 3+ years in financial analysis or project accounting.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
Harmonic are delighted to be partnering with one of the world's most recognised and ambitious design studios in their search for a Senior Finance Analyst to cover a maternity leave period of 13 to 14 months.
The business is in an exciting period of growth, with a rapidly expanding team and an increasingly complex project portfolio spanning large-scale, multi-year commissions. The finance function sits at the centre of a creative, project-driven organisation, working closely with designers, project managers and commercial teams to keep ambitious work financially grounded. This is a genuinely collaborative environment that values curiosity, continuous learning and professional development - and one where finance is seen as a real commercial partner to the business, not just a back-office function.
Reporting to the FP&A Manager, you'll take on a broad and commercially-facing remit, sitting at the intersection of financial planning, project performance and business partnering. The business operates with large, complex, multi-year projects, so a strong grasp of project profitability - tracking against milestones, monitoring resourcing, and identifying where performance is strong or under pressure - is central to the role.
You'll work closely with Project Managers, Heads of Domain and Commercial teams, translating financial data into insight that helps the business make better decisions. There's also a process improvement element, with opportunity to enhance reporting through automation and smarter use of systems. Given the growth trajectory of the team and the business, there is a realistic chance this role could extend or transition beyond the initial FTC - though this cannot be guaranteed.
Responsibilities- Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes across the business
- Deliver project performance analysis, tracking profitability against milestones and flagging resourcing or cost pressures
- Prepare variance reporting and management accounts commentary
- Perform reconciliations across finance and project management systems
- Monitor timesheet compliance and work with project teams to ensure data integrity
- Partner with Project Managers, Heads of Domain and Commercial stakeholders to provide clear financial insight
- Identify and implement process improvements, including reporting automation
- Support financial governance and controls across the project portfolio
- Part-qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA or ICAEW), ideally at finalist level
- 3+ years' experience in FP&A, financial analysis or project accounting
- Strong Excel and financial modelling skills
- Experience working with project management systems - Rapport3 or similar (e.g. Deltek, Maconomy, or other project-based platforms)
- Proven experience in project-based or professional services environments, with exposure to multi-year project profitability and tracking
- Confident communicator, comfortable partnering with non-finance stakeholders
- Background in a creative, design, architecture, engineering or construction environment
- Experience in a fast-growth or expanding business
- Exposure to reporting automation or BI tools
Salary: £55,000 + bonus (c.15-20% individual performance bonus, paid annually)
Location: London (1 day in-office)
Contract: 13-14 month Fixed Term Contract
Start date: Late June ideal
At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.
Senior Finance Analyst (14-Month FTC) | Design Studio | London employer: Harmonic Group Ltd
Contact Detail:
Harmonic Group Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Analyst (14-Month FTC) | Design Studio | London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and design sectors. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your project profitability knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tracked performance against milestones in past roles. We want to see you shine as a commercial partner, not just a number cruncher!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your Excel skills! Bring examples of financial models or reports you’ve created. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can enhance reporting through automation and smarter systems – something our client is keen on.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that Senior Finance Analyst role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Analyst (14-Month FTC) | Design Studio | London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Finance Analyst role. Highlight your FP&A experience, project accounting knowledge, and any relevant financial modelling skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role and how your background in finance aligns with our creative environment. Let us know how you can contribute to our growth and success.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves partnering with non-finance stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. In your application, mention any experiences where you've successfully collaborated with project managers or commercial teams to drive financial insights.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harmonic Group Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Analyst, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've tracked project profitability in the past. Prepare examples that showcase your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and variance reporting.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires you to partner with non-finance stakeholders, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Think of scenarios where you've successfully communicated financial insights to project managers or commercial teams, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Project Management Systems
Since the job involves working with project management systems like Rapport3, make sure you understand how these tools function. If you have experience with similar platforms, prepare to discuss how you've used them to enhance reporting and track project performance.
✨Emphasise Process Improvement
The role includes identifying and implementing process improvements, so think about times when you've streamlined financial processes or automated reporting. Be ready to discuss specific examples and the impact they had on your previous teams or projects.