Finance Analyst - Business Partnering

cochlear; Addlestone; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Cochlear is seeking a Finance Analyst - Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor to regional leaders across EMEA, translating financial information into insights that support strategic decisions and operational performance.

You will partner with VPs and Directors to ensure investments align with priorities, budgets are managed, and performance delivers measurable value across the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of work experience in a similar finance role with a commercial mindset.
• Practical experience using SAP or Oracle.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience in business partnering, communication, coordination and presentation.
• Self-starter able to work independently with some guidance.
• Flexible approach with can-do attitude and ability to learn quickly in a changing environment.
• University degree in a relevant field; CIMA or equivalent certification or studying towards CIMA or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Partner with regional functional leaders to develop budgets, forecasts and financial plans aligned with strategic objectives.
• Monitor OPEX performance, analyse variances and provide recommendations to improve financial outcomes.
• Challenge and support investment decisions through financial modelling and ROI assessments.
• Deliver clear performance reporting to show resource allocation and value delivered.
• Translate complex financial information into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Provide commercial context and market insights to support planning and investment decisions.
• Support strategic initiatives by evaluating opportunities, risks and financial implications.
• Build partnerships with business leaders as trusted finance advisors.
• Embed financial discipline into processes including headcount planning, vendor management and budget governance.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and internal controls.

Skills

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

Education

University degree in relevant field / CIMA or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Hyperion/Essbase

SmartView

Job description

Change people's lives and love what you do! Cochlear develops world-leading medical devices that help people hear and be heard. As a top 100 medical device company and market-leader in implantable hearing devices, more people choose a Cochlear-branded cochlear or acoustic implant system than any other. Our employees tell us that the number one reason they enjoy working for Cochlear is the opportunity to make a difference to people's lives.

The Opportunity

As a Finance Analyst - Business Partner, you will serve as a trusted advisor to regional functional leaders across EMEA, helping translate financial information into meaningful insights that support strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and operational performance.

Partnering closely with Vice Presidents and Directors, you will provide commercial and financial guidance to ensure investments are aligned to business priorities, budgets are effectively managed, and functional performance delivers measurable value. You will play a key role in connecting financial outcomes with operational objectives, enabling leaders to make informed decisions that support both short-term performance and long-term growth.

What You Will Do

• Partner with regional functional leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, and financial plans aligned with strategic objectives
• Monitor operating expenditure (OPEX) performance, analyse variances, and provide recommendations to improve financial outcomes
• Challenge and support investment decisions through financial modelling, scenario analysis, and return-on-investment assessments
• Deliver clear and actionable performance reporting, helping leaders understand how resources are being allocated and the value being delivered
• Translate complex financial information into meaningful business insights and recommendations
• Provide commercial context and market performance insights to support functional planning and investment decisions
• Support strategic initiatives by evaluating opportunities, risks, resource requirements, and financial implications
• Build strong partnerships with business leaders, acting as a trusted advisor on financial and operational matters
• Embed financial discipline into business processes, including headcount planning, vendor management, project approvals, and budget governance
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, reporting requirements, and internal control frameworks
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance reporting, processes, systems, and business performance

About You

• You are a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys partnering with business leaders and influencing decision-making
• You are naturally curious and seek to understand the drivers behind business performance
• You can translate complex financial information into straightforward recommendations and actionable insights
• You are confident challenging assumptions and influencing stakeholders while maintaining strong collaborative relationships
• You balance attention to detail with a broader strategic perspective and enjoy working in a dynamic, matrixed environment
• You are proactive, adaptable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities across different functions and stakeholders

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven Financial expertise backed up with min of 3 years of work experience in a similar position with a commercial mindset
• Practical experience using SAP or Oracle
• Microsoft Excel to advanced standard
• Experience in business partnering, communication, coordination and presentation skills
• Self-starter, able to work independently with some guidance
• Flexible approach with "can do" attitude / ability to quickly learn and adapt in a changing work environment
• University degree in relevant field / CIMA or equivalent certification / studying towards CIMA or equivalent certification

Desired Skills

• Continuous improvement mindset
• Ability of storytelling by translating complex data sets into simple insights for non-Finance stakeholders
• Working knowledge of analysis database (Hyperion/Essbase or similar) Oracle, SAP, Smartview and other reporting tools
• Second European language ideal but not essential
• Experience of working in a multi-cultured, diverse matrix organisation
• Proactive, problem-solving approach to work with the ability to managing conflicting priorities.

Development Value of this role:

• Opportunity to work across organisational boundaries
• Opportunity to develop and adapt/improve policies and procedures across the EMEA finance function
• Opportunity to deputise for Manager, Finance Business Partnering, EMEA to gain exposure to a wide range of business priorities

Why choose us?

For 40 years, Cochlear has been creating reliable products that continue to keep people connected to the world and to each other. We help people of all ages to hear in more than 180 countries around the world. Our technology connects people to life's possibilities and to the people who matter most. We have over 4000