Finance Business Partner, RS Projects

Yarra Trams; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free travel pass for Victoria's Public

Job summary

Yarra Trams is seeking an experienced Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial support across a portfolio of complex projects and programs. You will partner with Program Managers and operational leaders to deliver high-quality financial analysis, forecasting, and commercial insights that support informed decision-making and drive business performance.

In this influential role, you will act as a trusted advisor to the business, helping project teams understand financial

Qualifications

• Qualified finance professional with strong commercial acumen and ability to influence operational decision-making in project environments.
• Experience in project financial management within engineering, maintenance, infrastructure, manufacturing, or asset-intensive settings.
• Strong technical financial modelling capability for forecast costs, revenue, and project outcomes.
• Knowledge of IFRS 15 and revenue recognition requirements.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, Production and Planning to deliver proactive financial support across project portfolios.
• Develop monthly financial reporting, dashboards, variance analysis, and performance insights at project, program, and BU level.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning through robust analysis and recommendations.
• Develop and maintain FCAC models for complex, multi-year programs to improve cost visibility and forecasting.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder influence

Analytical thinking

Financial modelling

Project accounting

IFRS 15 knowledge

WIP management

Cost control

Contract/claims reporting

BOM costing

Education

CA/CPA accreditation

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial support across a portfolio of complex projects and programs. Working closely with Program Managers and operational leaders, you will deliver high-quality financial analysis, reporting, forecasting, and commercial insights that support informed decision-making and drive business performance.

In this influential role, you will act as a trusted advisor to the business, helping project teams understand financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and improve financial outcomes across the project lifecycle.

Key accountabilities include:

• Partnering with Procurement, Engineering, Heavy Maintenance, Production and Planning teams to provide proactive financial and commercial support across project and program portfolios.
• Developing and delivering monthly financial reporting, dashboards, variance analysis, and performance insights at project, program, and business unit level.
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities through robust analysis and commercial recommendations.
• Developing and maintaining Forecast Cost at Completion (FCAC) models for complex, multi-year major overhaul programs, improving project cost visibility and forecasting accuracy.
• Working closely with procurement, production, planning, and operational teams to ensure current pricing, labour standards, and overhead assumptions are accurately reflected in financial models.
• Monitoring and improving work order structures, job costing methodologies, cost allocations, and reconciliation processes.
• Analysing Work in Progress (WIP) performance and implementing initiatives to improve project cash flow and profitability.
• Providing business leaders with meaningful performance metrics and key performance indicators that support effective decision-making.
• Reviewing tenders, contracts, and bid strategies to identify commercial opportunities, risks, and optimisation initiatives.
• Supporting capital investment reviews to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and return on investment expectations.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives, including the enhancement of financial processes, reporting frameworks, monthly close activities, and project claims management.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys working in complex project environments and partnering with operational leaders to deliver tangible business outcomes.

About you

You are a qualified finance professional with strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to influence operational decision-making in project-based environments. You thrive in fast-paced settings where analytical thinking, stakeholder engagement, and attention to detail are critical to success.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, or a related discipline.
• CA, CPA, or equivalent professional accreditation.
• At least 7 years' experience in project financial management within a complex engineering, maintenance, infrastructure, manufacturing, or asset-intensive environment.
• Strong technical financial modelling capability, with demonstrated experience developing sophisticated models to forecast costs, revenue, volumes and project outcomes, including scenario and sensitivity analysis.
• Strong understanding of project accounting, forecasting, budgeting, and cost control principles.
• Experience managing complex Work in Progress (WIP) ledgers, reconciliations, work order completion, and cost allocation processes.
• Knowledge of revenue recognition requirements, including IFRS 15 and associated accounting standards.
• Experience preparing project progress claims and supporting contract performance reporting.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into practical business insights.
• Experience in Bill of Materials (BOM) development and costing, including material pricing, labour standards, subcontractor pricing and consumables.
• Proven capability to build strong relationships and influence senior operational and project stakeholders.
• Experience researching complex issues, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing effective business solutions.
• A continuous improvement mindset and experience developing or enhancing financial processes, controls, and reporting frameworks.
• Outstanding attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively across multiple projects and stakeholders.

If you are looking for an opportunity to combine financial expertise with strategic business partnering in a complex project environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Yarra Trams?

At Yarra Trams, we foster a workplace built on respect, celebrate diversity, and embrace inclusivity. Plus, you'll enjoy the following benefits:

• A Free travel pass for Victoria's Public Transport Network
• Competitive salary and great conditions
• Professional Development
• A commitment to your health and wellbeing including free flu vax, discounted gym membership, and access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Parental leave for primary caregivers

About Yarra Trams

Yarra Trams is proudly operated by Yarra Journey Makers, a joint venture between Transdev Australia and John Holland. We work with the Department of Transport and Planning, alongside its transport agencies and operators to provide a fully integrated, sustainable transport service for the people of Melbourne.

We're all Journey Makers, connecting people and communities across Melbourne. We're committed to caring for each other, our passengers, and the communities we serve. Our Diversity & Inclusion Strategy is a key pillar and as an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity and encourage candidates of all ages, those with disabilities, and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage to apply.

Please note, our selection process includes pre-employment checks, such as a police check and a medical assessment. Yarra Trams employees are required to adhere to Yarra Trams Policies and Procedures such as, but not limited to, Health and Safety Policy, Equal Employment Opportunity & Workplace Bullying Policy, Drug and Alcohol Management Program Policy (including drug and alcohol testing programs).