At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis for a major client, shaping budgets and forecasts.
- Company: Join PerkinElmer, a leader in scientific solutions with a mission for a healthier world.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with leadership opportunities and a focus on collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by partnering with clients and driving financial success.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance roles, strong communication skills, and a degree in Finance or Accounting.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
When joining PerkinElmer, you select an experienced and trusted leader in scientific solutions, with the support of a global service network and distribution centers, providing the right solution, at the right time, to meet critical customer needs. With over an 80+ year legacy of advancing science and a mission of innovating for a healthier world, our dedicated team collaborates closely with commercial, government, academic and healthcare customers to deliver our broad portfolio of analytical solutions, and OneSource services.
Role Summary
As Finance Lead, you will own the financial relationship with one of our largest strategic accounts. You'll be the senior finance voice in the room with our client, shaping budgets, forecasts, and commercial decisions that directly influence how the account performs. This is a high-autonomy role for someone who enjoys partnering with operations, commercial, and client finance leaders, translating complex delivery into clear financial decisions, and building the kind of trust that makes you the go-to person in every client conversation.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting — Lead development of annual and in-year client budgets in collaboration with operational leaders and client finance teams. Own rolling forecasts, including monthly reforecasts, variance analysis, and identification of financial risks and opportunities. Maintain full visibility of forecast vs. actuals across all spend categories and client locations. Ensure financial plans align with contractual scope, pricing models, and operational delivery plans.
- Purchase Order and Contract Governance — Ensure timely receipt, validation, and tracking of client purchase orders against approved budgets and contractual entitlements. Reconcile purchase orders to forecasts, invoices, and contracts, proactively resolving discrepancies. Maintain clear, auditable linkages between budgets, contracts, purchase orders, and invoices.
- Financial Close and Journaling — Own monthly financial close activities for assigned client sites, including accurate accruals and cost allocations. Ensure journals are complete, accurate, and compliant with internal controls and external accounting standards. Partner with central finance and accounting teams to resolve close issues efficiently and within deadlines.
- Spend Management and Financial Analysis — Manage and report on financial performance across multiple spend categories, including: Contracted services, Headcount and labor, Ad hoc time and materials, Parts and pass-through costs. Provide clear cost drivers, trend analysis, and forward-looking insights to support financial and operational decisions.
- Client Interface and Stakeholder Management — Act as the primary finance contact for the client account, engaging directly with senior operations and finance stakeholders. Present financial performance, forecasts, risks, and opportunities in client reviews, governance forums, and ad hoc discussions. Build trusted client relationships that balance commercial rigor with a partnership mindset.
- Commercial Support and Margin Management — Support pricing, costing, and margin analysis for new business, scope changes, and contract amendments. Assess the financial impact of operational changes, service model adjustments, and productivity initiatives. Ensure commercial decisions are supported by robust financial analysis and appropriate governance approvals.
- Operational Decision Support — Provide financial insight to operations teams to support workforce planning, service delivery trade-offs, and productivity analysis. Translate operational metrics into clear financial implications to enable evidence-based decision-making.
- Sourcing and Procurement Support — Partner with sourcing and procurement teams to deliver spend analysis, vendor comparisons, and cost models. Support identification, validation, and tracking of savings against baseline budgets and forecasts.
- Billing and Revenue Assurance — Perform weekly and monthly billing reviews to ensure invoices are accurate, timely, and contractually compliant. Ensure billing aligns with agreed pricing models, contracts, and purchase orders. Resolve billing discrepancies and disputes efficiently while maintaining strong client confidence.
- Governance, Controls, and Process Excellence — Define, document, and implement financial processes and SOPs where gaps exist. Ensure adherence to internal forecasting, approval, and financial governance frameworks. Maintain audit readiness in a regulated services environment.
- Leadership and Team Development — Lead, coach, and develop a small team of finance analysts supporting the account. Set clear expectations, review outputs, and build capability in forecasting, analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
What You Bring
- Significant finance experience in a client-facing or account-based role, ideally including budgets, forecasts, billing, and commercial support for sizeable accounts or portfolios.
- Background in services, managed services, or professional services with complex delivery and billing models.
- Comfort working across multiple stakeholders — operations, commercial, sourcing, and client finance — and translating between them.
- Strong judgment, a partnership mindset, and the ability to hold your own in senior client conversations.
Nice to Have
- Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated industries.
- Exposure to multi-site and multi-country service delivery models.
- Experience with long-term outsourcing or managed services contracts.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience.
- Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) preferred.
Core Competencies
- Financial governance and control in complex services environments.
- Executive-level client communication and stakeholder management.
- Forecasting, variance analysis, and financial risk management.
- Commercial acumen and margin optimization.
- Process definition, SOP development, and governance discipline.
- Leadership and development of high-performing finance teams.
- High attention to detail combined with strategic perspective.
Global Financial Analyst Lead employer: PerkinElmer
PerkinElmer is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact in advancing science for a healthier world. With a strong focus on professional development and a commitment to employee growth, team members enjoy the flexibility of remote work while engaging with diverse stakeholders across commercial, government, academic, and healthcare sectors. The company's legacy of over 80 years, combined with its dedication to excellence and client relationships, makes it an attractive place for finance professionals seeking rewarding and impactful careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Financial Analyst Lead
✨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 PerkinElmer. 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 Global Financial Analyst Lead
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 PerkinElmer.
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 PerkinElmer'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 PerkinElmer
✨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 PerkinElmer.
✨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 PerkinElmer 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 PerkinElmer 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.