Finance Director, Corporate Functions

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 116,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Finance Director to lead financial strategy and operations. This pivotal role involves managing a high-performing finance team, ensuring compliance, and building relationships with stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills and full membership of a relevant professional body.

Benefits

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements

Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days)

Discounts at stations with Network Rail pass

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% subsidy on train tickets

Interest-free travel loan for season tickets

Volunteer leave

Qualifications

• Strong leadership skills to drive cultural change.
• Post qualification experience in senior financial roles.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for Board-level interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy and management for the organization.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance and governance in financial operations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Interpersonal Skills

Influencing Skills

Education

Full membership of relevant professional body (CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW)

Job description

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Brief Description

Duration: Permanent

Location: This role is based in Milton Keynes or London. This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered.

Band & Salary: 1.C £116,753 - £141,771

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking an experienced Finance Director to lead the strategy, planning, management, provision, and analysis of all financial requirements for the function, including commercial activity allowing the successful support of customers, both internal and external.

About the role (External)

This pivotal role will shape the financial direction of the business area, identifying risks and opportunities, embedding best practises and ensuring robust internal controls. You'll be a key member of the leadership team contributing to the wider business strategy while ensuring financial compliance and governance are upheld to the highest standards.

You lead a high performing finance team fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement. As a trusted business partner, you'll provide insightful analysis to support investment decisions, influence commercial activity and ensure the most efficient and effective operating model. Your leadership will ensure the finance function delivers a high-quality responsive service to internal stakeholders while maintaining full engagement with professional standards and reporting lines.

This role also involves building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including auditors and regulatory bodies. You'll also oversee the financial system strategy prioritising enhancements and ensuring alignment with business goals with a focus on driving change and financial improvements and you will play a critical role in reducing risk improving results and delivering long term value for the organisation and its customers.

Essential Criteria

• Strong leadership skills, with the vision and ability to establish cross-functional relationships and drive cultural / organisational change.
• Full membership of relevant professional body (CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW)
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, possessing the ability to interact and maintain credibility with people at all levels within NR, up to and including Board level as well as with industry stakeholders.
• Substantial post qualification experience in senior financial roles
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to direct and motivate to deliver through others.
• Demonstrable strategic thinking and change leadership.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in a matrix management organisation

• Experience within different finance disciplines within Network Rail and/or external organisations.

• Regulatory Accounting experience

• Other relevant professional or academic qualifications

Please see attached job description for full details.

How to apply (External)

Closing date: 26 th May. On occasion, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Next Steps: Interviews will be held w/c 9 th June depending on business requirements.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

Some of our great benefits:

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.

Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.

Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% subsidy on train tickets.

Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.

Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

Plus more....