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- Tasks: Join us as a Senior Finance Business Partner, overseeing project finances and driving strategic insights.
- Company: Rowden is an innovative engineering firm based in Bristol, focused on advanced systems for critical operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team solving tough challenges with cutting-edge technology in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a chartered accountant with 5+ years in contract accounting and project finance.
- Other info: We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourage those with transferable skills to apply.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Senior Finance Business Partner
Department: Finance
Employment Type: Permanent – Full Time
Location: Bristol, UK
Compensation: GBP 70,000 – GBP 80,000 / year
Description
We\’re building the next UK-headquartered engineering powerhouse.
At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital. Our solutions use intelligent automation to enhance speed and efficiency and are built to be reliable and straightforward for critical operations in remote or high-pressure settings.
Headquartered in Bristol (UK), we combine modern engineering methods with cutting-edge commercial technology to create adaptable, mission-critical systems. We focus on solving the tough challenges that others overlook, ensuring our customers can operate effectively in an ever-changing world.
We are seeking a commercially astute and strategically minded Senior Finance Business Partner with deep expertise in project finances and contract accounting. This role will be pivotal in ensuring the financial integrity and commercial success of high-value projects and long-term client contracts. Acting as a bridge between finance and the wider business, you will provide critical insights, challenge assumptions, and support decision-making at the senior leadership level.
More information about security clearance is available here:
Key areas of responsibility
As a Senior Finance Business Partner in the Finance team at Rowden, you will be responsible for:
Business Partnering
- Serve as a trusted advisor to operating unit (OU) leaders, project managers, and sales teams, amongst others.
- A valued member of cross-functional teams developing and rolling out strategies to improve financial operations.
Project Finances
- Oversee the full lifecycle of projects – from budgeting and forecasting through to cost tracking and post-project evaluation.
- Drive the development of insightful reporting – using spreadsheets and the current finance software stack and working closely with the Head of Finance to scope out future ERP/ reporting solutions.
Contract Accounting
- Contribute to the financial governance of complex contracts, including revenue recognition, milestone tracking, and billing.
- Monitor contract performance and profitability, providing variance analysis and early warnings of risks and opportunities.
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Assist in the development of detailed financial forecasts and contribute to quarterly and annual budget cycles.
- Prepare insightful dashboards, board-level reports, and KPIs related to contract and project performance.
- Conduct monthly performance reviews, offering commentary and strategic recommendations.
Compliance & Controls
- Assist in audits, both internal and external, especially in areas such as contract performance and balance sheet positions.
- Promote continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting tools, and processes.
Key skills, experience and behaviours
We are looking for someone who is passionate about technology and who actively invests in their technical skills and abilities. You\’ll gain loads of experience in this role but before you do, you should have:
Essential
- Chartered accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
- Minimum 5+ years of post-qualification experience.
- Demonstrable experience in contract accounting and project finance in a commercial environment.
- Strong understanding of revenue recognition principles and long-term contract accounting standards.
- Proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving financial performance.
Desirable
- Experience in relevant sectors such as technology, engineering or professional services.
- Deep knowledge of Xero and Excel.
- Involvement in an ERP implementation/ reporting software implementation.
About You
The ideal candidate will have a strong balance of technical skills and experience, and the behavioural competencies that we believe are key to success in the role are as follows:
- Commercially astute
- Analytical and strategic mindset
- Strong stakeholder management
- Adaptable and resilient
- Execution orientated
- Trustworthy
Working at Rowden
We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are!
We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid-working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.
Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.
Finally, if you feel that you don\’t meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we\’d still love to hear from you!
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Senior Finance Business Partner employer: Rowden
Contact Detail:
Rowden Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial software mentioned in the job description, such as Xero and Excel. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in these tools during discussions can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Research Rowden's recent projects and their impact on the engineering sector. Having insights into their work will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations and show your genuine interest in the company during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders in previous roles. Highlighting your experience in driving financial performance will resonate well with the expectations for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your approach to financial governance and compliance, especially in relation to contract accounting. This role requires a strong understanding of these areas, so showcasing your expertise will be crucial.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in project finance and contract accounting. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive financial performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for technology and how your skills align with the role. Mention your chartered accountant status and relevant experience, and explain why you are excited about the opportunity at Rowden.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your analytical and strategic mindset, as well as your strong stakeholder management abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated complex financial situations in previous roles.
Showcase Continuous Improvement: Discuss any initiatives you've led or been part of that improved financial systems or reporting tools. This will demonstrate your commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, which is key for the Senior Finance Business Partner role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rowden
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
As a Senior Finance Business Partner, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of project finances and contract accounting. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully managed project budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
This role requires strong stakeholder management skills. Think of instances where you've influenced senior stakeholders or collaborated with cross-functional teams. Be ready to share how you navigated challenges and contributed to strategic decision-making.
✨Highlight Your Technical Skills
Given the emphasis on technology in this position, make sure to highlight your proficiency in tools like Xero and Excel. Discuss any experience you have with ERP implementations or financial software, as this will show your readiness to contribute to their financial operations.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability and Resilience
Rowden values adaptability and resilience. Prepare to discuss situations where you've had to adjust to changing circumstances or overcome obstacles in your work. This will illustrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment, which is essential for this role.
