At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategies for a major infrastructure project and drive impactful decision-making.
- Company: Join BAM, a leading construction company committed to building a sustainable future.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, generous holiday, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on inclusivity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative project that enhances transport across key UK cities.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong financial insight and team collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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.
Project Finance Lead 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Finance Lead
✨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.
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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 Royal BAM Group.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
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We think you need these skills to ace Project Finance Lead
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 Royal BAM Group 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 Royal BAM Group. 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 Royal BAM Group confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal BAM Group
✨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 Royal BAM Group.
✨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 Royal BAM Group 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.
