At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis for a growing water services company.
- Company: SES Business Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, healthcare, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working model with a supportive and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a key leadership role while shaping business performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance leadership, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
SES Business Water provides water and wastewater services for businesses across England and Scotland. Our customers include major high street retailers, supermarkets, hospitality and leisure, local and national government, NHS, independent schools, manufacturing, food processing and an international airport.
We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Finance Manager 14-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover) | Hybrid Working - 2 Days per Week in the Office | Salary - £50,000- £60,000 per annum plus excellent benefits
SES Business Water is looking for an experienced and commercially minded Finance Manager to join the business on a 14-month fixed-term maternity cover contract. Reporting to the Finance Director, you will lead the finance function through a critical period, taking ownership of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, audit delivery and commercial performance analysis. This is a highly visible role requiring a strong business partner who can build credibility with senior leaders and influence decision-making across the organisation.
You will lead a capable finance team, provide expert financial insight and ensure the business continues to maintain robust financial controls while supporting growth and operational performance.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Leading the annual budgeting and forecasting process.
- Taking ownership of the end-to-end P&L.
- Producing and presenting financial and commercial reporting to senior stakeholders.
- Delivering insightful analysis that supports operational and strategic decision-making.
- Leading the interim audit (January-February) and full year-end audit (April-June), acting as the key contact for external auditors.
- Managing, developing and motivating the finance team.
- Ensuring strong financial governance, controls and compliance.
- Building effective relationships with leaders across the business and acting as a trusted finance partner.
- Translating complex financial information into meaningful, actionable insight for non-finance stakeholders.
About You:
You'll be an experienced finance leader with a strong commercial mindset and a proven background within the water industry. You'll bring:
- Proven experience leading finance teams and managing end-to-end financial performance.
- Strong budgeting, forecasting and audit management experience.
- The ability to analyse financial performance and identify opportunities and risks.
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience presenting financial information to non-financial audiences.
- Advanced Excel skills and strong Microsoft Office capability.
- A collaborative approach, high attention to detail and the ability to remain effective under pressure.
Ideally, you'll hold a professional accounting qualification (CIMA or ACCA) or be Qualified by Experience (QBE). Experience of treasury management, long-term cashflow forecasting and business partnering would be advantageous.
Why Join SES Business Water?
This is an excellent opportunity to step into a key leadership role within a growing business. You'll work closely with the Finance Director and senior leadership team, leading important finance activities while helping shape business performance and decision-making.
We offer a flexible hybrid working model, with two days per week in the office and three days working from home, alongside the opportunity to make a genuine impact in a supportive and ambitious organisation.
If you're a commercially focused Finance Manager looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
At South West Water, we believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Finance Manager you'll enjoy:
- Competitive Salary - Based on experience and skills
- Annual Bonus Scheme - Rewarding your performance
- Pension Scheme - Helping you plan for your future
- Healthcare Benefits - Access to private healthcare and employee assistance programmes
- Professional Development - Support for career growth with training opportunities
- Employee Discounts - On various products and services
- Generous Annual Leave - Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement
Closing Date: 27 July 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Locations
Finance Manager in Redhill, Surrey employer: SES Water
At Bristol Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and purpose-driven work culture that prioritises the health of our communities and the environment. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our diverse career opportunities and support for continuous learning, all while working in the vibrant city of Bristol, where you can enjoy a fulfilling career in water quality science alongside a passionate team dedicated to making a positive impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager in Redhill, Surrey
✨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 SES Water.
✨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 SES Water 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 Manager in Redhill, Surrey
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 SES Water 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 SES Water. 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 SES Water confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at SES Water
✨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 SES Water.
✨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 SES Water 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.
