Finance Business Partner
Department: Central Finance
Reports To: Head of Finance, Steam ThermalSolutions (STS)
Job Summary: The Finance Business Partner will report to the Head of Finance, Steam Thermal Solutions. The role holder will be a key strategic business partner and advisor, developing and implementing financial strategies that align with and support Steam and Group goals and objectives to maximise returns, across key operational areas of investment and responsibility. As a trusted partner, the role holder will provide leadership and challenge to deliver the business strategy and financial results.
Key Responsibilities
Line Management
- Work closely with direct reports to ensure successful achievement of objectives and to enhance and develop the team's overall capabilities and expertise.
- Performance review.
- Develop development plan.
- Prepare succession planning and manage staff turnover.
- Promote and support talent.
Financial Planning and Analysis
- Ownership of business areas' budgets and forecasts, reporting and associated processes. Deliver an accurate, efficient and transparent plan and forecasts that meet finance and business stakeholder requirements and follow divisional strategy. Plan and forecast future capital needs and prioritise investments. Optimise cost and effectiveness of investments for the business areas globally. Oversight of preparation of balance sheet forecasts for management reporting areas.
- Review and report performance against plan and latest forecast, working with the business to analyse financial and operational variances and recommend corrective action to ensure delivery of commitments. Provide commercial challenge and financial rigour to the business and to key projects so that budgets, commercial arrangements, business cases, and governance expectations are met.
- Oversee weekly orders/sales forecast for Group reporting, ensuring appropriate level of challenge. Perform robust variance analysis and support assumptions. Oversee monthly management reporting process, including internal reporting submission to Group. Conduct monthly variance analysis to budget and key performance indicators (KPIs). Improve balance sheet reconciliations across management reporting areas. Work with management accountants to develop monthly processes and simplify complexities.
- Co-ordinate support information for Taxes such as annual Research and Development (R&D) claims and liaise with Group tax.
- Drive consolidation of budgets globally, applying rigour and control to central, divisional and opco budgets. Provide governance and support for business cases related to investment and budgets across Steam Solutions where required.
- Develop, implement, and manage all aspects of Financial Planning and Analysis across business areas to enhance efficiency and accuracy in reporting. Provide data‑driven analysis to support strategic decision‑making and continuous improvement in FP&A processes and tools.
- Develop, report and monitor KPIs across business areas. Provide strategic recommendations for improvement/mitigation of risk for KPIs. Work with business areas to set targets aligning to overall Steam and Group objectives. Collaborate with opcos across Steam to gather financial data, report on, and ensure alignment with key performance targets.
Financial Modelling and Projects
- Develop, implement and maintain financial models to support strategic planning and decision‑making, including simulation of business scenarios, project evaluation, product evaluation, and sensitivity analysis to forecast financial impact and mitigate risk.
- Oversee and manage project tracking and analysis for both capital and operational expenditure, ensuring accurate financial reporting and insightful analysis to support decision‑making and project management. Monitor, report and align all project capital and operational expenditures with budgetary constraints and strategic goals.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across Finance, the Division, and the broader business. Promote the Central Finance team and its colleagues within the wider organisation.
- Collaborate with Key Operational Heads to provide financial insights and analysis, support budget control for efficient resource allocation and decision support, and support revenue growth targets. Drive financial updates, insights and recommendations to the Steam divisional team.
- Liaise and support internal functions including Group Legal, Group Tax, Supply & Sales OpCos to facilitate projects for designated business areas.
- Prepare and present financial reports and analysis to senior management and stakeholders, highlighting areas for improvement or investment.
- Coordinate with Sales and Supply Divisions on royalty and recharge processes. Oversee the recharge model for royalties. Develop processes with Financial Reporting Teams for recharges across business areas. Communicate and support the business where required.
- Work closely with the Operational and Financial reporting teams across Central Finance to ensure accurate and timely reporting, consistent preparation of management accounts and capital expenditure reporting, and agreement on judgemental areas. Ensure that costs are correctly recognised, raised and classified including any intercompany amounts.
Ad‑hoc Project Work
- Support the Finance leadership team with ad‑hoc financial projects and tasks.
- Support on audit queries and processes where required.
Qualifications and Skills
Qualifications and Experience
- Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA).
- Significant post‑qualification experience in a finance department of a commercial organisation.
- Able to deliver market‑benchmarked Commercial Excellence in a multinational environment.
Analytical and Technical Skills
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret complex financial data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights.
- Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of financial principles, forecasting techniques, and financial performance tracking.
- Problem‑Solving: Identifying issues and developing solutions to improve financial performance.
- Adaptability: Being flexible and responsive to changing business needs and environments.
- Proficiency in Financial Software: Advanced Excel, financial modelling, proficiency in accounting software.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Effective Communication: Ability to convey complex financial information clearly to non‑financial stakeholders.
- Presentation Skills: Proficiency in presenting financial data and insights to various audiences.
- Stakeholder Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in particular experience in dealing with senior stakeholders.
Strategic and Business Skills
- Commercial Mindset: Understanding the business environment and how financial decisions impact overall business performance.
- Strategic Planning: Supporting long‑term business planning and decision‑making.
- Influence and Negotiation: Ability to influence and persuade others to achieve the best financial outcomes for the company.
Collaboration
- Working effectively with various other areas of the wider business to gather and analyse financial data.
Ethical and Compliance Skills
- Integrity: Maintaining ethical standards in financial reporting and decision‑making.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards.
Benefits
You will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days’ paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts portal.
EEO Statement
We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We provide inclusive work arrangements and support for all employees, including gender‑neutral parental leave, extra paid caregiver leave, support for pregnancy loss or domestic abuse, menopause‑friendly workplace principles, and more.
