Finance Business Partner

Pennon Group; Exeter; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennon Group is seeking three Finance Business Partners for their Capital Delivery Finance Team in Exeter. This permanent role involves management accounting for a £3.2bn capital investment programme. Candidates should have substantial finance experience with skills in project accounting and analysis. The position offers benefits like a discretionary bonus and competitive pension plans.

Benefits

Discretionary company bonus

Competitive Contributory Pension

Employee Sharesave scheme

Generous holiday allowance

26 weeks’ additional maternity leave

Shared parental leave

Champion Health support platform

Discounts on supermarket and online purchases through Perkbox

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in finance required.
• Experience in a project-oriented and/or engineering environment.
• Strong commercial/contract background desired.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of monthly management accounts including accruals and investigations of variances.
• Analysis of performance and reporting on budget variances.
• Lead business partnering for engineering projects and produce detailed budgets.

Skills

Analytical skills

Relationship management

Project accounting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Scenario modelling

Commercial background

Education

Degree level or equivalent experience

Job description

Exeter, England /Finance and Commercial /

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to be leading the way in the water and renewables industries. Alongside our subsidiaries - South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power - we’re committed to delivering a sustainable future of our region. Because we know that by continually driving up our standards today, we’ll build a better tomorrow for our communities.

As a result of significant growth in the capital investment programme, an exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit 3 x Finance Business Partners to join our Capital Delivery Finance Team based in Exeter. You will join on a permanent basis at a salary of up to £50,000 depending on experience, plus benefits. You will have opportunity to work from home but will need to be in our Exeter office for three days per week.

The role

As Finance Business Partner in the Capital Delivery Finance Team, you will perform an integral role supporting the delivery of an unprecedented £3.2bn capital investment programme across the Group. You will be responsible for management accounting of the capital programme and provide financial support to business directorates and management teams, preparing insightful analysis and financial information to facilitate effective data-driven decision making.

What you’ll be doing

• Preparation of the monthly management accounts including preparation of accruals, prepayments and provisions, processing of journals and investigation of variances.
• Analysis of performance, reporting on variances to budget/forecast, undertake investigation and work with management teams to correct performance.
• Development and preparation of high-quality reports and management information for the Capital Finance Director and Programme/Project Management Teams
• Lead the Business Partnering to the Engineering Function and key capital projects, performing as the financial point of contact for senior managers and presenting analysis at monthly programme reviews.
• Preparation and ownership of journal logs and balance sheet reconciliations for approval by the Senior Finance Business Partner and Head of Business Reporting and Analysis.
• Lead continuous improvement of the reporting processes.
• Lead the production of annual detailed driver-based budgets based on business performance in coordination with business function management teams.
• Lead the production of quarterly forecasts taking into account any deviations from budget.
• Support the Senior Finance Business Partner in the preparation of financial information for Annual Performance Reporting and Price Review submissions.
• Provide support and analysis for regulatory accounting and submissions.

What we’re looking for

• Substantial experience in finance
• Relationship management
• Background in project accounting
• Experience in a project orientated and/or engineering environment
• Knowledge of forecasting/variance analysis/scenario modelling
• Strong commercial/contract background
• Strong analytical skills
• Degree level or equivalent level of experience

What's in it for you

• We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing support and development for a long-term career with us. We’re one of the largest companies in the South West and are proud to have been awarded Investors in People recognition.
• In return, we offer an excellent range of benefits including:
• A discretionary company bonus
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Invest in Pennon through our employee Sharesave scheme
• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays, with an option to buy / sell leave offering you extra flexibility
• Take up to 26 weeks’ additional maternity leave
• Shared parental leave
• Look after your wellbeing through our Champion Health support platform
• Enjoy free eye tests and discounts on frames and lenses at Specsavers
• Enjoy access to thousands of deals and discounts on supermarkets, online retailer, travel, eating out, cinema, gyms and more through Perkbox

Closing date: 2nd July 2025

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.

We're always pleased to hear from talented people. So if you have any questions about the opportunities that we have available, or if there's anything else you'd like to know before you apply (or indeed during the application process), please don't hesitate to send your details to our Talent Acquisition Team.