At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape financial strategy and drive performance at Alton Towers Resort.
- Company: Join the fun team at Merlin, a leading entertainment destination.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts on LEGO, free attraction tickets, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Immediate start for a 6-month contract with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while having fun.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with finance business partnering experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70089 £ per year.
What you'll bring to the team
We are recruiting for a Senior Finance Business Partner to join our AWESOME onsite Finance Team at Alton Towers for an exciting 6-month contract! Join us in a critical leadership role where you will shape financial strategy, drive performance, and support the continued success of one of the UK’s leading entertainment destinations. As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you’ll work at the heart of the business, partnering with senior stakeholders to influence decision‑making and deliver meaningful commercial impact.
You will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing expert financial insight to inform strategic decisions, optimise performance, and support long‑term business growth. Working closely with cross‑functional teams, you will ensure financial plans align with wider organisational goals and priorities.
You will lead financial planning cycles, including annual budgets and regular forecasting, while delivering high‑quality analysis to support revenue growth and cost efficiency initiatives. Your ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights will be key in driving informed decision‑making across the resort.
Partnering with commercial, operational, and functional teams, you will provide guidance on pricing, investment decisions, and profitability. You’ll play a pivotal role in identifying opportunities for improvement, enhancing processes, and driving operational efficiency across the finance function.
In addition, you will oversee performance reporting, deliver insightful presentations, and support key projects across the business, helping to ensure resources are used effectively and maximum value is achieved.
Qualifications & Experience
- Must be immediately available
- Comfortable with the fixed term nature of this contract (6 months)
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong post‑qualification experience
- Proven experience in a finance business partnering role, ideally within a large or complex organisation
- Strong background in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge at a senior level
- Advanced analytical capability, including financial modelling and interpretation of key metrics
- Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to drive projects and financial initiatives
- Strong commercial acumen, with a proactive and solutions‑focused mindset
- Proficiency in Excel and financial systems, including ERP tools
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate financial data into clear insights
Benefits
- 40% discount off LEGO sets and products on the online LEGO Store!
- Merlin Magic Pass: 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world!
- 25% discount in Merlin retail shops and restaurants (a brilliant extra treat when you’re using your Magic Pass to visit!)
- Staff discount codes for Merlin Annual Passes to gift to loved ones!
- Private pension scheme
- Life assurance scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Access to Perks at Work which 30,000+ national & local employee discounts
- Ongoing training & development
About Merlin: A job with Merlin isn’t like a job anywhere else. With attractions around the world, from rollercoasters to wax figures, we don’t trade in suits, handshakes or briefcases. We trade in fun. In smiles, shrieks and spine‑tingles. In Memories. In magic. But there are no tricks behind our magic. Instead, there are people like you. Passionate, dedicated people who are committed to making sure our worldwide attractions and guests’ experiences are the best they can be.
If you have any questions or if you require any reasonable adjustments, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Pay Range: Competitive
Senior Finance Business Partner - Alton Towers Resort employer: Merlin
At Merlin, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on creativity and collaboration. As a Senior Finance Business Partner at Alton Towers Resort, you'll enjoy unique benefits such as a 40% discount on LEGO products, a Merlin Magic Pass for free access to attractions, and ongoing training opportunities to support your professional growth. Join us in a role where your financial expertise will directly contribute to the success of one of the UK's leading entertainment destinations, all while being part of a team that values fun and memorable experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner - Alton Towers Resort
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Merlin.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Merlin might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner - Alton Towers Resort
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Merlin will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Merlin. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Merlin confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Merlin
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Merlin.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Merlin that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
