Finance Business Partner

Southern Water; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is recruiting a Finance Business Partner (Capital Delivery) to support our ambitious capital delivery programme. You will deliver complex financial analyses, drive performance insights and provide strategic financial advice to enable informed decision making.

You will build strong stakeholder relationships, lead budgeting and forecasting processes, and enable governance across multiple projects, while working in a hybrid setup between Durrington and Falmer.

Qualifications

• Able to demonstrate strong business acumen and excellent communication and presentation skills to ensure credibility with senior management.
• Strong integrity, organisational and analytical skills.
• An overachiever, used to coping with challenging projects, adapting to changing environment, under high pressure, short timings and in full autonomy.
• Proven ability to work with the business to understand and interpret the practical business implications of financial data and the ability to drive change and build vision based on this.
• Able to demonstrate strong leadership skills, in particular: relationship-building, ability to influence, and judgement.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex financial analyses including trend analysis and financial modelling, providing cost visibility and ownership.
• Report on key performance indicators to drive cost reductions across the business, thereby identifying risks, errors, problems and improvement opportunities.
• Collect budget, quarterly and midyear forecasts and other financial information. Advice on key business planning assumptions, trade-offs and opportunities. Provide sign off and approval on annual plans and forecasts.
• Lead the financial monthly business review process and prepare presentations with recommendations to senior management and corporate office.
• Use the services of Corporate, provide financial governance and management of change initiatives. Provide budget assistance to multiple projects or large programs; assess circumstances and recommend appropriate course of action.
• Develop financial controls and forecasting techniques to evaluate contract/program status and ensure compliance with government and customer requirements.
• Forecast accurate and timely cash flow projections, sales projections, budget projections, and expense projections to ensure that business needs are met.

Job description

Closing Date: 2026-10-16

Job Title: Finance Business Partner (Capital Delivery)

Location: Durrington (West Sussex) or Falmer (East Sussex) -Hybrid (2 days p/w)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: up to £65,000, depending on skills and experience

There has never been a more important time to join Southern Water. As we move through AMP8, we are delivering one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes in the industry, focused on improving environmental performance, service resilience and long-term affordability for customers.

About the role

As Finance Business Partner you will work alongside our capital delivery business, supporting and advising on their strategic and operational decision making through value adding insights that drive better business performance. You will perform complex financial analysis to interpret, explain and drive performance within this business unit. You will need to build strong stakeholder relationships and be confident in driving business insight and adding value to the business. You will be both self-sufficient and able to work autonomously.

What you will be responsible for

• Perform complex financial analyses including trend analysis and financial modelling, providing cost visibility and ownership.
• Report on key performance indicators to drive cost reductions across the business, thereby identifying risks, errors, problems and improvement opportunities.
• Collect budget, quarterly and midyear forecasts and other financial information. Advice on key business planning assumptions, trade-offs and opportunities. Provide sign off and approval on annual plans and forecasts.
• Lead the financial monthly business review process and prepare presentations with recommendations to senior management and corporate office.
• Use the services of Corporate, provide financial governance and management of change initiatives. Provide budget assistance to multiple projects or large programs; assess circumstances and recommend appropriate course of action.
• Develop financial controls and forecasting techniques to evaluate contract/program status and ensure compliance with government and customer requirements.
• Forecast accurate and timely cash flow projections, sales projections, budget projections, and expense projections to ensure that business needs are met.

What you'll bring to the role

• Able to demonstrate strong business acumen and excellent communication and presentation skills to ensure credibility with senior management.

• You will have strong integrity, organisational and analytical skills.
• You will be an overachiever, used to coping with challenging projects, adapting to changing environment, under high pressure, short timings and in full autonomy.
• Proven ability to work with the business to understand and interpret the practical business implications of financial data and the ability to drive change and build vision based on this.
• Able to demonstrate strong leadership skills, in particular: (i) relationship‑building, (ii) ability to influence, and (iii) judgement.

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain's water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long‑term value creation.

"At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we'd love to hear from you-even if you don't tick every box."

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Additional information

In line with Southern Water's security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all preemployment checks, including security vetting.

Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.