Project Financial Controller

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Schedule: Full time

Remote: No

Company Name: Hitachi Rail UK Limited

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there's something for everyone to get stuck into.

Your new role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Project Financial Controller to join our team. This is a highly visible finance business partnering role supporting complex projects, cost centres and R&D activities across a dynamic international environment. As the primary finance contact for CTO (Chief Technology Office) UK, you will play a critical role in ensuring robust financial control, delivering insightful analysis and supporting strategic decision-making across a portfolio of projects. Working closely with operational leaders, project managers and international finance teams, you will help drive financial performance, optimise cash flow and ensure the highest standards of governance and reporting. This role would suit a qualified accountant who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed organisation and enjoys partnering with stakeholders across multiple functions and geographies.

Some key responsibilities

• Lead financial control activities across CTO UK projects, cost centres and R&D programmes.
• Deliver monthly financial reviews with budget holders, providing challenge, insight and support to drive accountability and performance.
• Manage project forecasting activities, including cost-to-complete analysis and accurate Estimate at Completion (EAC) reporting.
• Produce timely and accurate monthly financial reports covering P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, headcount and key performance indicators.
• Own project cash flow forecasting, ensuring alignment with project delivery schedules and working capital objectives.
• Review project balance sheets and monitor working capital movements to ensure financial accuracy and control.
• Monitor cost absorption performance, identifying risks and opportunities and providing recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Support budgeting and forecasting cycles, ensuring robust financial plans that appropriately reflect risks and opportunities.
• Partner with project teams to support variation orders, providing financial analysis and cost validation.
• Collaborate with finance colleagues in the UK and internationally, including teams in Japan and Italy, to support consolidated reporting.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal audit activities, ensuring compliance with governance, J-SOX requirements and financial controls.
• Provide financial information and analysis to FP&A and wider business stakeholders as required.

About you

We are looking for a commercially minded finance professional with strong project finance experience and the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels within a global organisation.

Essential

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to analyse, interpret and present complex financial data.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Experience using SAP or a comparable ERP system.
• Experience working within a matrix organisation with multiple reporting lines and stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across diverse teams.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to UK locations as required.

Desirable

• Experience supporting large-scale, long-term projects or programmes.
• Background within manufacturing, engineering, rail, aerospace or other complex industrial sectors.
• Experience working in a global organisation with cross-cultural stakeholder management responsibilities.
• Understanding or appreciation of Japanese business culture and ways of working.
• Previous experience in project accounting, project controls or programme finance.

What we offer

We value the importance of all of our employees, and if you would like to join our fantastic organisation you could be entitled to:

• Competitive salary
• Potential opportunity for annual performance related bonus
• 25 days holiday
• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible benefits plan that can be tailored to your lifestyle and personal needs.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a global technology-led organisation at the forefront of the rail industry. You'll gain exposure to major programmes, work with international stakeholders and play a key role in supporting projects that shape sustainable transportation for the future. If you're looking for a role where you can combine technical financial expertise with business partnering in a complex project environment, we'd love to hear from you.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.