Finance Business Partner

First Bus Central Services; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Mental health support

Employee discounts

Pension plan

Cycle to work

Holiday allowance

Share purchase program

Bus pass

Job summary

First Bus are seeking a Finance Business Partner to support performance across our operations. You will partner with Service Delivery Directors and depot teams, produce insightful management information and commentary, and help drive budgeting, forecasting and planning processes.

The role requires a qualified finance professional (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with strong commercial acumen, excellent communication skills and proven experience partnering with operational stakeholders. Hybrid working in Bristol.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Business Partnering role within a large organisation.
• Qualified finance professional (CIMA/ACCA/ACA).
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Service Delivery Directors and operational teams to support performance.
• Produce management information and commentary to drive business outcomes.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and planning processes.
• Analyse performance against budget and forecast with clear recommendations.
• Coach and develop finance team members and improve reporting processes.

Skills

Business partnering

Commercial acumen

Analytical skills

Education

CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualification

Tools

Power BI

SAP

Job description

About First Bus:

Are you ready to advance your career with one of the UK's leading bus operators? Join a forward-thinking company that embraces cutting-edge bus technology, from innovative mobile apps to environmentally friendly vehicles. We are passionate about delivering passenger journeys that are sustainable, comfortable, and efficient. We are at the forefront of innovation in the industry, connecting communities and shaping the future of public transport.

Location: Bristol (Hybrid Working) + occasional travel Contract: Fixed-Term until April 2028 Hours: 37.5 hours per week

What you'll be doing

• Partnering with Service Delivery Directors and wider operational leadership teams to support business performance and decision-making.
• Producing insightful management information, financial analysis and commentary that helps drive improved business outcomes.
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and planning processes, identifying key risks and opportunities.
• Analysing performance against budget, forecast and prior year results, providing clear recommendations and actions.
• Building strong relationships with depot, regional and divisional teams through regular site visits.
• Supporting business cases, tenders and commercial projects through financial analysis.
• Leading and coaching members of the finance team while helping to continuously improve processes and reporting.
• Working closely with data and analytics teams to ensure consistency and understanding of business performance metrics.

What we're looking for

• Proven experience in a Business Partnering role within industry, ideally in a large complex organisation
• Qualified CIMA, ACCA or ACA accountant (or equivalent)
• Strong commercial acumen and proven experience partnering with operational stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Advanced Excel skills, with Power BI and SAP experience desirable.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines.

Rewards

Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise.

• Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• Up to 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares

Equal Opportunities Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities, and people. We welcome applications from all. We are always looking for skilled and talented people to join us across our sixty plus depots from Aberdeen to Truro. It takes a dedicated team of specialists and professionals over just about every type of role you can think of to keep us on the road and creating amazing passenger journeys. We’ve embarked on a journey of major transformation – to make sure we put our people and customers first. Our people are the beating heart of First Bus. Without them, there would be no drivers to take customers to where they need to go and no engineers to keep our buses safely on the road.