At a Glance
- Tasks: Support strategic decision-making by evaluating investments and providing financial insights.
- Company: Join Places Leisure, a leading Social Enterprise making a positive impact across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension contributions, healthcare support, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a strong focus on inclusion and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Experience in investment appraisal and advanced Excel skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
This role will be working for Places Leisure part of the Places for People group. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we move lives forward every day by building, managing and supporting thriving Communities. From new homes, social housing and student accommodation to leisure, education and Community initiatives, our work makes a positive difference to millions of People across the UK. And that takes People who care about doing the right thing. People who are ambitious, ready to grow and motivated to make a difference through the work they do.
We're looking for Colleagues who bring energy, curiosity and ownership. People who enjoy being challenged, support those around them and want to keep raising the bar. Because when we perform at our best, we create more opportunities to invest in our Customers, our Communities and each other.
Experience matters, but it's only part of the story. If you share our values and want to build a career where your work has real impact, we'd love to hear from you.
More about your role
This role forms part of the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team within Places Leisure and plays a key role in supporting strategic decision-making across the business. With a primary focus on investment appraisal, you will evaluate capital investments, growth initiatives, partnerships and new business opportunities, providing clear financial insight to support commercial decision-making.
You will develop robust financial models, assess investment returns and risks, and prepare business cases that demonstrate the commercial viability and strategic fit of proposed opportunities. Working closely with operational, commercial and finance teams, you will translate complex financial information into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders, while ensuring investment decisions are supported by appropriate governance and controls throughout the investment lifecycle.
In addition, you will monitor investment performance, enhance financial modelling and reporting tools, support the automation of reporting processes, and help align the investment pipeline with Places Leisure's long-term growth strategy and business objectives.
Essential criteria
- Proven experience of investment appraisal, financial modelling and business-case evaluation, including ROI, NPV, IRR and payback calculations.
- Advanced Excel modelling skills, including scenario planning, sensitivity analysis and risk quantification.
- Experience assessing the commercial viability and strategic fit of investments, new ventures or business-development opportunities.
- Experience presenting complex financial analysis and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Working knowledge of financial standards, investment governance and capital-allocation frameworks.
More about you
You combine strong commercial judgement with detailed financial analysis and can explain your findings in a clear, practical way. You are comfortable partnering with finance, commercial and operational teams, constructively challenging assumptions and helping stakeholders make informed decisions. Experience using Power BI, planning tools such as Anaplan or reporting automation would help you make an early impact, although these are not essential.
What you'll get
- Salary £65,000
- Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
- Bonus scheme for colleagues at 2%
- Option to buy or sell days
- Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs, with private GP and health support services available
- Comprehensive wellbeing support including counselling, flu jabs, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to our Wellbeing Hub, supporting your mental, physical and financial wellbeing
- Access to Our Place Rewards, offering discounts and savings on groceries, travel, shopping, home products and other lifestyle purchases
- Ongoing training, professional qualifications, internal development programmes and career progression opportunities
- Recognition programmes including Star Awards and Colleague Awards, celebrating achievements and recognising great work
- Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
- Free membership to Places Gyms
- Life Assurance to provide financial security for your loved ones, alongside access to will writing services to help you plan for the future with confidence
What's next?
If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then click apply. You will be redirected to our careers site where you can discover more about the role, read a full job description and apply directly to us.
As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and accessible recruitment process for all.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.
If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on skillsemployment@placesforpeople.co.uk.
We understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking. For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, flexible start and finish times or compressed hours.
Safeguarding
At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect. We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment. By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities.
Finance Business partner (investment assessment) (Camberley) employer: Places Leisure
At Places for People Group, we pride ourselves on being more than just an employer; we are a community-focused social enterprise dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. As a Catering Assistant, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including full health and fitness membership, generous discounts, and opportunities for personal growth within a diverse and ambitious organisation. Join us in making a meaningful impact while being part of a team that values your contributions and prioritises your wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business partner (investment assessment) (Camberley)
✨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 Places Leisure. 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 Business partner (investment assessment) (Camberley)
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 Places Leisure.
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 Places Leisure'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 Places Leisure
✨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 Places Leisure.
✨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 Places Leisure 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 Places Leisure 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.