Senior Finance Business Partner - Costs in Manchester

This position is offered on a 12 month FTC.

About TalkTalk: TalkTalk's vision is to be the most recommended Wi‑Fi provider in the UK by 2028 with a growing, profitable base. Success requires that we simplify what we do, who we do it with, and reduce the cost of how we do it. TalkTalk is the uncomplicated way to get excellent in‑home Wi‑Fi coverage, we stand out from the crowd by offering intelligent but simple products that work perfectly first‑time, without fuss or incomprehensible jargon, and for any help our customer service is the best in the industry. Our aim is to deliver simplified & customer delighting Wi‑Fi products and a more digital customer & employee experience. This is enabled by a technology platform that leverages data to drive innovation, decision‑making, and automation, ultimately providing a more cost‑efficient service for our customers.

Role Purpose: As Senior Finance Business Partner - Costs, you'll play a critical role in driving cost transparency, financial performance, and strategic decision‑making across the organisation. Providing high‑quality financial insight, challenge, and guidance to senior stakeholders, you'll ensure cost efficiency and optimisation are embedded in business planning, forecasting, and operational activity. You'll act as a trusted advisor to leadership, helping shape long‑term financial strategy while safeguarding financial integrity through robust analysis and governance.

Main Responsibilities:

• Business Partnering & Stakeholder Management: Act as a strategic partner to senior leaders, providing expert financial insight to support cost control, investment decisions, and operational performance. Build strong relationships across functions to influence decision‑making and promote financial accountability.
• Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the cost planning cycle, including annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long‑term plans. Develop cost models and scenarios to support strategic planning and resource allocation. Ensure variances are understood and corrective actions are identified and tracked.
• Cost Analysis & Performance Management: Provide in‑depth cost analysis, trend insights, and financial commentary to identify risks, opportunities, and efficiency improvements. Drive cost optimisation initiatives, challenging assumptions and supporting continuous improvement. Monitor and report cost KPIs, ensuring timely and accurate performance information.
• Financial Governance & Controls: Ensure compliance with financial policies, accounting standards, and internal controls. Support audit processes and governance reviews related to cost areas.
• Strategic Projects & Improvement: Lead or contribute to cross‑functional projects, including transformation initiatives, business cases, and process improvements. Embed strong financial discipline across project workstreams, ensuring cost impacts are robustly assessed.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in a finance business partnering role or equivalent senior finance position.
• Solid understanding of cost management principles, budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
• Knowledge of financial governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Understanding of organisational operations and cost drivers within a complex business environment.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities, with the ability to translate data into actionable insight.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to engage senior stakeholders with clarity and confidence.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills; comfortable managing complex datasets.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise effectively, and manage multiple deadlines.
• High attention to detail combined with strategic thinking.
• Proven track record of supporting and influencing senior stakeholders.

Be Yourself. Make an Impact. Join Us. As a recognised Top 50 Inclusive Employer in the UK, we believe that diversity fuels innovation and success. We're committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities and customers we serve. At TalkTalk, inclusion is part of our DNA - we're all 100% human, and we've created a culture where you can truly be yourself. We're not your traditional 9‑5. We're a dynamic, flexible workplace, and we're excited to hear how you like to work. Whether you thrive in collaboration, focus better at home, or prefer a bit of both - let's make it work.

What We Offer:

• Flexible hybrid working - with a minimum of 50% office presence to support teamwork and connection.
• Collaborative office spaces designed for creative thinking and innovation.
• Generous holiday package - 25 days annual leave, 3 wellbeing days, and your birthday off (plus the option to buy up to 10 more days!).
• Private healthcare for all employees.
• Competitive pension scheme and performance‑related bonus opportunities.
• Free broadband for all employees.
• Life event gifts - celebrating milestones like marriages and births.
• Inclusive employee networks - open to all, supporting peer connection and thought‑provoking conversations.
• Salary sacrifice scheme - save on dental, gym, and more.
• Big retail and leisure discounts.
• 3 paid volunteering days a year - because making a difference matters to us too.