Finance Business Partner

Thames Water; England; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Finance Business Partner to provide financial leadership across the Capital Programme, supporting effective investment decisions, robust forecasting, and budgetary control. You will partner with senior stakeholders to challenge performance and drive continuous improvement.

You will own capital expenditure reporting, lead the annual budget and quarterly forecasts, and translate complex financial data into clear insights for senior management.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant required with professional membership (CIMA/ACCA/ACA).
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, management reporting and variance analysis.
• Experience of capital programme finance and utilities/infrastructure sectors.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly capital expenditure reporting including analysis of actual expenditure, commitments, forecast outturn, risks and variances.
• Lead the annual budget and quarterly forecasts for the capital portfolio with central portfolio office and stakeholders.
• Translate complex financial information into clear insight and recommendations for senior management.
• Lead monthly review and challenge sessions with programme sponsors and ensure accountability for delivery.
• Provide financial input for investment papers, portfolio reviews and change control decisions.
• Strengthen financial controls, forecasting accuracy and reporting efficiency; support capital accounting and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Business partnering

Leadership

Communication

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Education

Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)

Tools

SAP

Job description

This role will provide financial leadership, insight and constructive challenge across the Capital Programme and support effective investment decisions, robust forecasting and budgetary control, while partnering with senior stakeholders to improve financial and programme performance.

What you’ll be doing as a Finance Business Partner:

• Own monthly capital expenditure reporting, including analysis of actual expenditure, commitments, forecast outturn, risks, efficiencies and key variances.
• Lead the annual budget and quarterly forecasting processes for the supported capital portfolio, working with the central portfolio office and business stakeholders to ensure submissions are accurate, complete and evidence-based.
• Translate complex financial information into clear insight and recommendations for senior management.
• Lead monthly review and challenge sessions with programme sponsors, testing assumptions, identifying corrective actions and supporting accountability for delivery.
• Provide financial input and constructive challenge for investment papers, portfolio reviews and change control decisions, ensuring affordability, governance requirements and financial implications are clearly understood.
• Strengthen financial controls, forecasting accuracy and reporting efficiency; support appropriate capital accounting treatment; and build effective cross-functional relationships that encourage shared learning and continuous improvement.

What you should bring to the role:

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is:

• Qualified Accountant. (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent)
• Proactive, results-driven finance professional with strong business-partnering, leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to build credibility with stakeholders at all levels, explain complex information clearly and provide constructive challenge that improves decisions and outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Advanced Excel capability.
• Experience of budgeting, forecasting, management reporting and variance analysis.
• Track record of improving processes, controls and reporting efficiency.

Extra qualities that would be a great fit for our team:

• Experience of using SAP or a comparable enterprise finance system.
• Experience of capital programme finance.
• Experience of working within the utilities, water or infrastructure sector.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary of £52,580 - £68,000 per annum depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.