Senior Finance Business Partner

FP&A is a sub-function of the Finance team and is responsible for business partnering, financial budgeting and forecasting, performance reporting, business modelling and providing financial analysis and insight. Within this team we have a new opportunity for a Senior Finance Business Partner to be a senior strategic commercial finance leader with primary accountability for financial strategy, performance and risk oversight across UPP’s Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) portfolio.

UPP operates a REIT-based structure comprising over 20 SPVs which sit at the core of the organisation’s business model and hold a multi-billion-pound student accommodation asset base. These SPVs include large multi-million-pound capital projects alongside complex funding and debt structures. The role holder will act as the principal financial adviser to senior executives (e.g. the Chief Partnerships Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Officer) leading on:

• Capital allocation, cost optimisation and revenue maximisation
• Investment appraisal and delivery of value creation initiatives
• Funding and covenant compliance oversight
• Portfolio-level financial performance monitoring and risk management
• Long-term contract strategy and portfolio value optimisation

The Senior Finance Business Partner will have primary accountability for leading all SPV-related financial activity. Experience working within a REIT, infrastructure or SPV-based environment is essential. Unlike traditional FP&A roles centred on reporting and consolidation, this is a senior strategic finance leadership position with enterprise-level accountability for portfolio value creation, financial strategy, executive decision support, and commercial outcomes.

This role is based in our award winning London office offering hybrid working, and excellent transport links from London Bridge, Cannon Street, Monument and Bank stations. We are looking for you to have a numerate degree and have significant post qualification experience in business partnering, preferably in the Commercial Finance, Infrastructure, Real Estate or Project Finance sectors, along with:

• Experience working within REIT, SPV or complex multi-entity structures
• Worked directly with Executives to compile annual budgets, long and short-term forecasts
• Experience of working on and executing high value projects or transactions, with direct accountability for advising on financial and commercial decisions
• Proven track record of leading large-scale financial turnaround programmes to enhance portfolio value.
• Advanced financial and commercial acumen and proven ability to apply judgement, knowledge and intellect to achieve successful business outcomes
• Advanced financial modelling capability (SQL, Data Models, Azure data lake, Python)
• Strong understanding of funding structures, covenants and financial risk management
• Knowledge of long-term asset modelling and valuation frameworks
• Strong commerciality with an inquisitive mindset and the ability to influence key stakeholders to drive financial performance and projects forward
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and ability to present confidently

In return, we are offering a competitive salary with a great benefits package which includes a discretionary performance bonus, 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, private healthcare, pension, enhanced family leave policy, life assurance, training, two paid volunteering or personal development days and cycle to work scheme.

UPP welcome all applications and recognise the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities we work with and has a positive impact on our people, our student residents, and our university partners. We understand all disabilities, impairments and conditions are unique, so please advise us of any adjustments to support you through our recruitment process and help you to thrive at work. Our core values of Innovation, Sustainability, Community, Partnership and Respect, are fundamental to our culture and summarise what is important to our business and our people. We are a team with energy, pace and passion; if that sounds like you, apply today and one of our in-house recruitment team will be in contact.