Project Finance Business Partner in Pontefract

TAIT partners with artists, brands, IP holders and place makers to bring culture-defining, never-before-seen experiences to life. With a legacy of innovation spanning over 45 years, TAIT has grown from pioneering in rock ‘n’ roll concert staging to setting the global standard for extraordinary live events and experiences through cutting‑edge technology, precision engineering, and creative design. TAIT’s 20 global offices have developed iconic productions and experiences in over 30 countries, all seven continents, and even outer space for renowned performers, theme parks, exhibits, and venues across the globe.

The Project Finance Business Partner acts as a trusted financial partner to Project Management and Operations, with a primary focus on independently validating and assuring the accuracy of project financial forecasts in construction and large, complex project environments. This role partners closely with Project Managers throughout the project lifecycle to confirm projected contract values, costs to complete, margins, and financial risks. Through financial review, site engagement, and valuation analysis, the commercially focused role ensures leadership has a clear, unbiased view of project financial performance and emerging risks.

Responsibilities:

• Independently review and validate project financial forecasts, including contract value, revenue projects, cost-to-complete, and margin estimates.
• Challenge assumptions used by Project Managers, ensuring forecasts are supported by contractual terms, scope, progress, and cost data.
• Identify inconsistencies, gaps, or emerging financial risks within project forecasts and elevate appropriately.
• Act as a finance partner to Project Managers throughout the project lifecycle, from award through closeout.
• Provide financial insight and constructive challenges to support better project decision-making.
• Support Project Managers in understanding financial impacts of scope changes, change orders, and execution risks.
• Conduct site visits to assess physical progress, execution risks, and alignment between site conditions and financial forecasts.
• Review and validate project valuations, including percent complete, earned value, and cost-to-complete assessments.
• Reconcile operational progress observed on site with financial projections and reported performance.
• Identify productivity, sequencing, subcontractor, or site-related risks that may impact cost, margin, or schedule.
• Review project contracts and change orders to confirm alignment between commercial terms and financial projections.
• Validate inputs to revenue recognition, cost capitalization, and forecast updates in collaboration with Project Accounting.
• Monitor actual performance vs. forecast and investigate material variances.
• Strengthen project financial governance by ensuring consistent forecasting methodologies and documentation standards.
• Support internal and external audit requirements related to project financials.
• Serve as a second line of defense over project financial integrity, independent from project delivery pressures.
• Partner closely with Project Account, FP&A, and Operations to ensure alignment between forecasts, actuals, and reported results.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project financial tools, templates, and forecasting processes.

Qualifications:

• Finance Degree or Accounting professional qualifications (CIMA, ACCA, ACA).
• 8+ years' experience in manufacturing, large-scale, or complex project-based environments.
• Demonstrated experience in manufacturing finance, project finance, project accounting, project controls or commercial finance.
• Experience conducting site visits or project valuations (e.g., percent complete, earned value, cost-to-complete).
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP and project costing systems.
• Demonstrated business partnering experience with Project Managers, Operations, or Commercial leaders.
• Strong understanding of contract structures, cost forecasting, and margin management.

TAIT Benefits:

• UK Bank Holidays.
• Paid annual leave starting at 22 days, increasing with service.
• Competitive pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Life assurance (4x salary).
• Medicash health cashback plan (covering dental, optical, and more).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with 24/7 support.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Income protection/critical illness cover.

TAIT is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran or any other protected characteristic as outlined by international, national, state, or local laws.