At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance digital transformation projects and implement automation solutions for efficiency.
- 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 biodiversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy transition while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and finance processes; strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 49320 - 60280 £ 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 (LSbp) 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.
As Lightsource bp accelerates its growth trajectory, there is a strong focus within the Finance team to deliver continuous improvement and an evolution of the Finance systems, policies and processes. The role of the Finance Automation & Process Manager will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for process improvements, design and implement automation solutions, and ensure the successful deployment of these projects to enhance operational efficiency and accuracy.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Digital Project Management & Implementation
- Lead and manage finance digital transformation projects – including automation initiatives – from discovery through to implementation, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the required standard.
- Collaborate across all finance functions to coordinate activities, dependencies, and impacts.
- Identify, assess, and prioritise opportunities for digitalisation and automation that offer enduring business value.
- Facilitate workshops, interviews, and process mapping sessions to define optimised, scalable workflows before build.
- Oversee delivery through internal IT resources and/or offshore teams, ensuring business requirements are accurately translated into technical designs.
- Apply process improvement methodologies and where relevant leverage AI, machine learning, and analytics to enhance workflows and insights.
- Ensure all solutions meet governance, compliance, and security requirements, and are tested thoroughly prior to deployment.
- Manage programme roadmaps, maintain milestone tracking, and produce dashboards to track benefits realisation.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner proactively with finance teams, IT and other key stakeholders to align on priorities and secure buy-in.
- Facilitate and lead workshops, discovery sessions, and alignment meetings to ensure initiatives meet business needs and are understood across regions.
- Promote transparency through regular communication of project objectives, risks, progress, and benefits to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Act as the bridge between business users and technology teams, driving consensus and ensuring final solutions meet agreed quality standards.
- Technical Expertise, Governance, and Support
- Maintain knowledge of automation, low-code solutions, and other technologies relevant to finance operations.
- Establish and maintain governance frameworks for digital and automation initiatives, including documentation standards, sprint planning disciplines, and role clarity.
- Ensure embedded performance monitoring and maintenance procedures are in place post-go-live.
- Build and maintain knowledge, best practices and process documentation to support continuous improvement.
- Training and Change Management
- Create and deliver training and onboarding for impacted finance teams.
- Produce clear process documentation, user guides, and communication materials to drive adoption.
- Monitor the uptake of new solutions, collect feedback, and implement refinements to ensure benefits are fully realised and sustained over the long term.
Who we’re looking for
- Knowledge
- Experience of assessing, executing, and documenting digital transformation business opportunities.
- A strong understanding of processes and policies that underpin an efficient global finance function.
- Strong stakeholder management and robust communication skills (written, oral and interpersonal).
- Ability to present financial information to senior level stakeholders.
- Familiarity with SAP ECC/S/4HANA, Snowflake, Workday, and Microsoft Power Platform valued.
- Exceptionally strong analytical skills.
- Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
- Professional certification in project management highly desirable.
- Lean Six Sigma or process improvement qualification advantageous.
- Qualified or Part-Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) desirable but not essential — strong finance process knowledge is key.
- Experience
- 3+ years’ experience in project management and process improvement.
- 3+ years’ experience working in an operational finance role within a finance function of an international business.
- 3+ years’ experience in project management and process improvement and re-design.
- 3+ years’ experience of development and documentation of finance policies and procedures.
Personal qualities
- They will be an 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.
- Willingness to take on a variety of duties and travel as required.
- Represent Lightsource bp values of Safety, Integrity, Sustainability and Drive.
- Ability to prioritise while managing multiple projects concurrently.
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 solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity.
- 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. Initiatives to get involved with including our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project or our sustainability initiatives.
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.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation related to LSbp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us to request accommodations.
Finance Automation & Process Optimisation Manager in London employer: Lightsource BP
Lightsource bp is an exceptional employer located in Greater London, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, comprehensive health insurance, and robust pension schemes, alongside ample opportunities for professional growth within the renewable energy sector. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the world of sustainable energy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Automation & Process Optimisation Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Lightsource BP. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Lightsource BP.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Lightsource BP. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Automation & Process Optimisation Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Lightsource BP and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Lightsource BP how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lightsource BP
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Lightsource BP.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Lightsource BP's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
