At a Glance
- Tasks: Support finance change initiatives and improve performance insights in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Global leader in financial technology with a focus on innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance transformation while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance business partnering and change management is essential.
Leeds alternate locations include Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh / Hybrid
6 months contract
Day Rate from £500 via Umbrella DOE
Pontoon is an employment consultancy, we put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive.
My client powers businesses of all sizes to make, take and manage payments. They are a global leader in financial technology with unique capabilities to power omni-commerce. Whether online, in store or mobile, they are at the heart of great commerce experiences in 146 countries and across 135 currencies. They help our customers become more efficient, more secure and more successful.
They are looking for a commercially minded Finance professional to support a major change programme within a financial services environment. This role combines finance business partnering, insight generation, process improvement and change delivery, working closely with operational and finance stakeholders to improve reporting, decision-making and future ways of working. While there is an element of transformation activity, the focus is less on technical treasury expertise and more on helping teams understand performance, develop better insight and support the successful delivery of change across the function.
The position is hybrid working being based in one of the above locations 2 days a week, 3 days working from home - Monday to Friday, standard office hours. If not Leeds based, there would be the occasional travel to Leeds. The position is being offered on an initial 6 month contract, with the potential to extend in line with the project requirements.
- Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement (Core)
- Partner with finance and business stakeholders to understand challenges, identify opportunities and support decision making
- Provide meaningful analysis, insight and commentary to support business performance
- Build strong relationships across multiple teams, acting as a trusted adviser during periods of change
- Support the development of reporting, MI and performance metrics to improve visibility and understanding
- Facilitate workshops and working groups to gather requirements and support business improvement initiatives
- Change & Transformation
- Support the delivery of finance and operational change initiatives
- Help define and implement improved processes, controls and reporting frameworks
- Work with stakeholders to identify opportunities for simplification, automation and enhanced ways of working
- Support the migration away from manual processes and spreadsheet-driven activities
- Help document future-state processes and operating models
- Insight & Analytics
- Analyse financial and operational performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities
- Support forecasting, planning and performance management activities
- Produce insightful reporting and recommendations for senior stakeholders
- Drive greater use of data and analytics within the function
What We're Looking For
- Experience
- Strong finance business partnering, FP&A or commercial finance experience
- Experience within financial services, banking, insurance, fintech or regulated environments
- Experience supporting change, transformation or business improvement initiatives
- Proven ability to work with senior stakeholders and influence decision making
- Experience improving reporting, analytics and management information
- Skills
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability
- Ability to translate business requirements into practical solutions
- Comfortable working in a changing environment
- Strong Excel and reporting skills (Power BI desirable)
- Nice to Have
- Exposure to treasury, payments, banking operations or regulated finance environments
- Experience supporting finance transformation or process improvement programmes
- Knowledge of operational performance reporting and business insight generation
Please apply with an up-to-date CV which must show evidence of the above to be considered. Please be advised if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you.
We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Change & Performance Manager
✨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 Pontoon.
✨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 Pontoon 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 Finance Change & Performance Manager
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 Pontoon 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 Pontoon. 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 Pontoon confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pontoon
✨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 Pontoon.
✨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 Pontoon 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.
