At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead initiatives to optimise Finance data and systems for better reporting and accessibility.
- Company: Join Lightsource bp, a leader in renewable energy committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, health insurance, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive community that values your ideas and promotes career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy transition while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field; experience in finance data analysis preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development. For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise. Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.
Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive. We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long-term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition. Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide.
This role leads initiatives to improve how Finance manages, accesses, and uses its data and systems. With responsibility across the finance function, the Finance Data & Systems Optimisation Manager identifies and delivers improvements in reporting practices, data accessibility, and system effectiveness. The role combines strategic project management with hands-on citizen development to create scalable, high-impact solutions that enhance Finance’s ability to automate and deliver timely, accurate, and insightful information.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead and manage initiatives to improve Finance data accessibility, reporting capabilities, and systems utilisation — including programme roadmap ownership, milestone tracking, and benefits realisation reporting.
- Drive discovery activities to establish data lineage, identify data sources, flows, and dependencies, and prioritise reporting and system use cases.
- Support Finance teams in identifying and scoping Data Lake use cases, acting as the liaison between Finance stakeholders and the IT Data Team — including hands-on citizen development and testing within the sandbox environment where needed.
- Define requirements for data transformation, consolidation, and quality checks to ensure accuracy and integrity.
- Support citizen developed solutions using company-available tools — including Microsoft Power Platform to deliver immediate reporting improvements.
- Oversee larger technical developments through internal IT resources and/or offshore teams, ensuring business requirements are accurately translated into technical designs and solutions are scalable and fit for purpose.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Proactively identify data and reporting optimisation opportunities across Finance through workshops, discovery sessions, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to the team's broader pipeline of initiatives.
- Communicate clearly and regularly with technical and non-technical stakeholders on project objectives, risks, and progress — translating complex data and system concepts into accessible language.
- Maintain strong engagement with end users across regions, ensuring outputs are practical, understood, and fully adopted.
Technical Expertise, Governance, and Support
- Maintain and develop knowledge of data modelling, transformation, and dashboard/report solutions relevant to Finance operations — including Microsoft Power Platform, SAP data structures, and cloud-based data platforms such as Snowflake.
- Evaluate and recommend system configuration changes, integrations, or tools to improve data management and reporting — including awareness of Data Lake capabilities and how Finance teams can connect to and consume data from centralised IT-managed environments.
- Maintain awareness of AI tools and capabilities and identify where AI features can be layered onto stable processes and structured data to enhance solution value.
- Collaborate with the IT & Digital AI team to explore and pilot AI-enabled enhancements to Finance workflows and reporting.
Knowledge
- Experience of assessing, executing, and documenting digital transformation business opportunities.
- Wider experience of developing and implementing automation and digitalisation initiatives within a global finance team.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including the ability to manage cross-functional and cross-regional relationships.
- A genuine curiosity for technology and a demonstrable ability to learn new tools and platforms quickly.
- Exceptionally strong analytical skills with the ability to challenge and drive value creation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent practical experience). Master's degree is advantageous.
- BI or data visualisation certification is desirable.
- Qualified or Part Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) advantageous.
Experience
- 3+ years in finance data analysis, reporting, and/or systems optimisation within an international environment.
- Proven track record delivering initiatives that improve reporting practices, automate data preparation, and enhance system performance.
- Hands-on experience in reporting and data integration tools.
- Experience in cross-functional and cross-regional stakeholder management.
- Hands-on experience with SAP ECC/S/4HANA, Snowflake, Workday, and Microsoft Power Platform valued.
Personal qualities
- Adaptable and organized individual who has had experience of working within an international, multi-entity group and running projects to a successful conclusion.
- Flexible and positive can-do approach in a changing environment, while keeping a clear head under pressure.
- An effective problem solver with curiosity to understand and challenge the business to drive value creation.
- Self-starter able to work under limited direction and supervision.
Why you’ll want to work for us
Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect. Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits. Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development.
Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.
For further information on our career opportunities and life at Lightsource bp, please visit our careers page.
Why you’ll want to stay with us
At Lightsource bp, you’ll work within agile, cross-functional teams where diverse perspectives come together. Our culture embraces open knowledge sharing and collaboration, empowering you to learn from others and accelerate progress collectively. Your career growth is our priority and a shared journey. We are committed to developing talent from within and prepare you for career advancement so you can shape a fulfilling and lasting journey here. In today’s fast-changing world, a learning mindset is essential and therefore we proactively support upskilling to help you push your skill boundaries and stay ahead in your field, so you can not only keep pace with change but confidently shape a brighter future.
Finance Data & Systems Optimisation Manager employer: Lightsource BP
At Lightsource bp, we foster an inclusive and dynamic work environment where your contributions are valued, and your career growth is a priority. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, we offer competitive benefits, including health insurance and a pension plan, alongside opportunities for personal development through various initiatives. Join us in our mission to lead the energy transition while being part of a collaborative team that empowers you to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Data & Systems Optimisation Manager
✨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 Lightsource BP. 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 Finance Data & Systems Optimisation Manager
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 Lightsource BP.
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 Lightsource BP'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 Lightsource BP
✨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 Lightsource BP.
✨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 Lightsource BP 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 Lightsource BP 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.
