Business Controller

Business Controller

Temporary 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Royal BAM Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a major infrastructure project and drive strategic financial decision-making.
  • Company: BAM, a leading construction company focused on sustainable development.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, generous holiday, and personal development opportunities.
  • Other info: Inclusive environment with a focus on professional growth and community impact.
  • Why this job: Be part of transforming vital transport links while developing your finance skills.
  • Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong financial insight and team collaboration skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

We have an exciting opportunity for a temporary Business Controller to join our team on the BAM Infrastructure Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) West project on a 12-month contract. Based at our Huddersfield office, this role offers the chance to play a key part in a major infrastructure project.

The Transpennine Route is one of the UK’s most vital transport arteries, connecting key northern cities across a 76-mile stretch between Manchester, Leeds, York, Selby and Humberside, and supporting millions of passengers every year. As part of a multi-billion-pound investment programme, the TRU will transform this busy corridor into a high-performing, reliable railway, delivering increased capacity, faster journey times and enhanced passenger experience.

Your Team

  • Location: Huddersfield (Office-based 4 days per week, 1 day working from home)
  • Contract: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Making Possible Strategic Leadership & Commercial Partnership

  • Act as a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team, driving strategic decision-making through deep commercial insight.
  • Proactively shaping financial outcomes by identifying key risks, opportunities, and value drivers across the project portfolio.

Project Reporting & Insight Generation

  • Lead best-in-class financial reporting frameworks that deliver actionable insights and enable data-driven decision-making.
  • Provide forward-looking analysis across P&L, cash flow and orderbook to support strategic planning and risk mitigation.

Financial Governance & Review

  • Play a pivotal role within the project leadership team by providing robust financial oversight & control, challenge, and guidance across monthly, quarterly, and annual reviews.
  • Driving accountability and performance improvement across all project stakeholders.

Integrated Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

  • Lead the development of integrated financial plans, including annual budgets and periodic forecasts, aligning financial objectives with strategic priorities.
  • Embed advanced analytics, scenario planning, and KPI-driven insights to proactively manage performance, risks, and opportunities.

Effective Cash Management

  • Drive optimisation of cash performance and working capital through robust forecasting, proactive management of WIP, and collaboration with operational teams.
  • Influence strategic decisions that enhance liquidity and support sustainable financial performance.

Commercial & Cost Optimisation Strategy

  • Ensure any proposed commercial agreements are strategically leveraged to maximise financial outcomes.
  • Lead initiatives to identify and unlock cost efficiencies and recovery opportunities, embedding a value-focused culture across project financial management.

Advanced Financial Modelling & Decision Support

  • Own and develop sophisticated financial models and scenario analyses to support strategic initiatives.
  • Provide forward-looking insights that inform business strategy, commercial performance, and risk management.

Transformation & Continuous Improvement Leadership

  • Lead and influence finance transformation initiatives, driving process optimisation, system enhancements, and adoption of best practices.
  • Act as a change agent to improve efficiency, scalability, and quality of financial operations across the project.

Audit & Risk Leadership

  • Manage internal and external audit engagements as the senior financial representative for the TRU West project.
  • Ensure timely resolution of audit matters while strengthening any required financial governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks.

People Leadership & Talent Development

  • Working closely with the Commercial Director, develop a high-performing commercial finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.

Strategic Contribution & Segment Initiatives

  • Contribute beyond core responsibilities by leading or supporting cross-functional strategic initiatives, transformation programmes, and ad-hoc projects that drive project-wide value creation.

What do you bring to the role?

  • Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA)
  • Expert in providing financial insight and support to Commercial and Operations
  • Committed team player who thrives on collaborating across a large business
  • Track record of building strong relationships with a variety of different stakeholders.
  • Adept at influencing and negotiating within senior leadership teams
  • Experienced in mentoring junior colleagues and supporting their development
  • Highly motivated and enthusiastic, with exceptional organisational and time management skills
  • Understanding and experience of critical finance transactional operations and underlying control points and best practice.
  • Very good awareness of and ability to actively engage with specialists and communicate risk and opportunity around Tax strategy, filling, accounting, Transfer pricing, JV's, indirect and payroll taxes.
  • Significant knowledge of Project Budgeting & Forecasting & Reporting; Risk and Opp management & cash forecasting.

What’s in it for you?

  • Competitive salary
  • A wide range of family-friendly policies
  • Company car/car allowance/travel allowance
  • 8 % matched pension contributions
  • Private healthcare
  • Life assurance
  • 26 days holiday
  • 2 wellbeing days
  • 1 volunteering day
  • Personal and professional development

About BAM

Building a sustainable tomorrow. That’s our mission and our promise at BAM. It’s how we engineer vital infrastructure and construct high-quality buildings as one of the largest construction companies in Europe.

We strive to create an environment where everybody feels welcome and valued. We’re on an exciting journey to employ the best talent to join us regardless of social background, race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability or other characteristics.

The application process

For more information about the vacancy and our projects, please contact Monica Curl, Recruiter, BAM Infrastructure, Email: monica.curl@bam.com

BAM is committed to ensuring a fully inclusive recruitment and onboarding process, so if at anytime you feel you may need any reasonable adjustments, do not hesitate to speak with one of our team, and we will do our best to support you.

Business Controller employer: Royal BAM Group

BAM is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Huddersfield where you can contribute to transformative infrastructure projects like the Transpennine Route Upgrade. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including private healthcare and generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to inclusivity, BAM fosters a culture of collaboration and growth, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

Royal BAM Group

Contact Details:

Royal BAM Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Business Controller

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and the role thoroughly. Understand BAM's mission and values, and think about how your skills as a Business Controller can contribute to their projects. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit!

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on articulating your experience with financial oversight and strategic decision-making clearly and confidently.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’d be an asset to the BAM team.

We think you need these skills to ace Business Controller

Financial Insight
Project Budgeting
Forecasting
Financial Reporting
Risk Management
Cash Management
Stakeholder Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Controller role. Highlight your experience in financial oversight, reporting, and strategic decision-making. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of building a sustainable tomorrow!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to the Transpennine Route Upgrade project. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for our team.

Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your expertise in financial modelling and risk management. We love numbers, so quantify your successes where possible to grab our attention!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing talent interested in joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Royal BAM Group

Know Your Numbers

As a Business Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in past roles. Prepare examples of how you've identified risks and opportunities in financial reports.

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

This role requires you to act as a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team. Be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to strategic planning in previous positions. Think about specific instances where your insights led to improved financial outcomes or operational efficiencies.

Build Relationships

Strong stakeholder management is crucial for this position. During the interview, highlight your experience in building relationships across different teams. Share examples of how you've influenced senior leaders and collaborated with operational teams to achieve common goals.

Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset

BAM values transformation and continuous improvement. Be ready to talk about initiatives you've led or participated in that enhanced financial processes or systems. Discuss how you approach problem-solving and your commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and growth within your team.