Finance & Operations Business Partner - Trafford Centre, Manchester

Savills; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Savills is seeking a Finance & Operations Business Partner for the Centre, to lead administration, provide accurate financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, and oversee Service Charge and Non-Recoverable Income Financials, month-end results, forecasts and annual budgets.

You will manage accounts payable, collaborate with budget holders and auditors, drive data-led improvements, and ensure compliance across the Centre while delivering an excellent occupier experience.

Qualifications

• Detail and data / insights oriented, with a solid understanding of compliance in the workplace and utmost discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Outstanding organisational skills with the ability to independently balance competing priorities and manage workloads effectively, managing an efficient and well-equipped office operation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, with a professional, approachable, and customer-focused manner.
• Reliable and responsible, with a flexible, hands-on approach to problem-solving and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Adaptable to change with a collaborative team spirit, confidently briefing key messages and engaging with stakeholders across all levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage the administration of the Centre’s Service Charge reporting to the Centre Director from tender to payment and reconciliation with meticulous financial reporting.
• Conduct in-depth reviews of expenditure, trends and insights to drive value through the financial year and beyond.
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations to maintain accuracy and transparency in financial records. Coordinate and reconcile forecast trackers to ensure projections remain up to date, reflecting current financial trends for strategic planning.
• Collaborate closely with the Centre Director, Head of departments, Site Surveyor and Client Accounting to develop annual budgets and forecasts that align with both the Centre’s strategic objectives and operational requirements. Provide data-driven insights to support business planning and resource allocation.
• Promptly address auditor enquiries, providing clarification and additional information as required to facilitate efficient audit processes.
• Manage the preparation and submission of billing records, invoices, and other financial documentation to central teams. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and timeliness in submissions to maintain a transparent, well-documented financial trail and to support Centre-wide financial reporting requirements.
• Build and maintain positive relationships across internal departments, including head office and other Centres within the portfolio where applicable. Facilitate open communication channels to ensure alignment on financial procedures, best practices, and to share insights that enhance financial operations across the network.

Skills

Detail oriented

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

AAT qualification

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

MS 365

Job description

Purpose of the Role

The Finance & Operations Business Partner role plays a vital role in working closely with the Centre Director and Surveyor in ensuring leadership of the Centre’s administration functions and providing accurate, timely financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. The role leads the Centre’s Management Suite operation and facilities, supports the Heads of Operations, Facilities, Marketing and Operations Managers in managing departmental budgets and expenditure and identifies trends in data and insights. This position is essential in overseeing Service Charge and Non-Recoverable Income Financials, including month-end results, forecasts, and annual budgets, while also managing accounts payable processes to maintain strict adherence to policy, alignment to Savills and Client requirements whilst facilitating timely transactions.

With a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach, the role collaborates closely with internal and external stakeholders; including budget holders, auditors, suppliers and head office teams—to uphold financial accuracy and compliance. Through these efforts, the role helps to drive the Centre’s financial and operational objectives, ensuring seamless service delivery and alignment with strategic business goals to deliver efficiency through the Service Charge and drive value for occupiers.

You will take responsibility for overseeing and supporting the implementation of financial protocols, ensuring that all statutory requirements are met across the Centre. This includes monitoring, reviewing, and maintaining up-to-date records of financial activities, liaising with various departments, and contractors to ensure adherence to all relevant guidelines. You will also ensure that information is provided for all necessary financial checks, inspections, and audits in a timely and efficient manner, in line with financial regulatory standards, working closely with the Surveyor and Client Accounting teams.

You will have strong financial acumen, a data and insights driven mindset and an inquisitive mind, as well as the ability to adapt to a fast-paced changing environment, to act decisively as well as ensuring that the Centre’s financial controls are presented to the highest standards. You’ll lead administrative functions, managing the operation of the Management Suite; including facilities, room availability, office supplies and the environment for all Centre teams and stakeholders, making improvements and being empowered to set an exceptional first impression to occupiers, visitors and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• You are a key part of the leadership team and an ambassador for the Centre - as such you will actively promote recognition for the team, the Centre, and the wider business through your exemplary behaviour. Playing your part in the wider team as required to gain a full understanding of Operations.
• You have a clear vision for your area and drive improvements as required. You lead by example, uplifting the team, and instil a passion for excellence in delivering value to our Occupiers and Client.
• You will promote our operational focus on compliance, communication, consistency, and collaboration in all you deliver. You are focused on leading a safe Centre and complying with legal requirements. You will embed and lead efficient processes with innovation and consistency.

Main duties

Commercial & Financial Performance

• Manage the administration of the Centre’s Service Charge reporting to the Centre Director from tender to payment and reconciliation with meticulous financial reporting.
• Conduct in-depth reviews of expenditure, trends and insights to drive value through the financial year and beyond.
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations to maintain accuracy and transparency in financial records. Coordinate and reconcile forecast trackers to ensure projections remain up to date, reflecting current financial trends for strategic planning.
• Collaborate closely with the Centre Director, Head of departments, Site Surveyor and Client Accounting to develop annual budgets and forecasts that align with both the Centre’s strategic objectives and operational requirements. Provide data-driven insights to support business planning and resource allocation.
• Promptly address auditor enquiries, providing clarification and additional information as required to facilitate efficient audit processes.
• Manage the preparation and submission of billing records, invoices, and other financial documentation to central teams. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and timeliness in submissions to maintain a transparent, well-documented financial trail and to support Centre-wide financial reporting requirements.
• Build and maintain positive relationships across internal departments, including head office and other Centres within the portfolio where applicable. Facilitate open communication channels to ensure alignment on financial procedures, best practices, and to share insights that enhance financial operations across the network.

Leadership

• Lead the Centre’s Management Suite with a focus on high standards, value and great experience.
• Lead the Finance & Administration Coordinator to deliver operational excellence and compliance as well as playing an active part in the Centre’s operation and day to day running.
• Ensure full and active participation in the daily huddles and departmental briefings with your teams. Ensuring relevant and business critical information and objectives are communicated.
• Take ownership of personal development by attending all required training sessions and engaging actively in opportunities for professional growth.

Risk Management

• You will have a clear focus on operating safely and compliantly. Managing and ensuring compliance with all aspects of health, safety, quality assurance, and financial standards across the Centre.
• Manage and coordinate the various systems, policies and processes associated with the Centre’s statutory finance and asset control and management. Ensure all compliance and/or quality-based records and files are reviewed and kept up to date and any changes communicated to the Centre Management Teams.
• Ensure accurate information is distributed through the organisation to relevant persons in a timely manner. Developing, enhancing and/or implementing documents in line with company guidelines. Creating a procedural framework for reporting and audit purposes.

Operational Excellence

• Set objectives for direct reports and review quarterly. Ensure same approach and mechanisms for all relevant people within area of responsibility. Keep all site-based company information manuals up to date and available.
• Co-operate in the delivery of projects and or activities that impact the centre. Work with internal and external auditors to resolve issues and or provide information as required.
• Support corporate responsibility objectives including personal support to community projects and activities including at least one day volunteering as part of the Foundation pledge.

Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Detail and data / insights oriented, with a solid understanding of compliance in the workplace and utmost discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Outstanding organisational skills with the ability to independently balance competing priorities and manage workloads effectively, managing an efficient and well-equipped office operation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, with a professional, approachable, and customer-focused manner.
• Reliable and responsible, with a flexible, hands-on approach to problem-solving and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Adaptable to change with a collaborative team spirit, confidently briefing key messages and engaging with stakeholders across all levels.

Essential

Qualifications and experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years in a similar financial or accounting role, or business administration function.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, advanced Excel capabilities.
• Proficient MS Office skills in formatting - brand aligned reporting for applications including Power Point, Word, Excel and other MS 365 software.
• Experience in budget preparation, monitoring, management and reporting routinely and as required.

Desirable

• Experience in property management, retail, or service charge accounting, with familiarity with the specific financial requirements of these sectors.
• Previous experience in supervising or managing a small team or direct reports, with proven ability to guide and support others in accounting functions.
• AAT qualified (or similar) to advanced level, demonstrating a solid foundation in accounting principles and practices.

Working Hours

• 40 hrs per week - on site

Salary

• £40k - £45k

Please see our Benefits Booklet for more information.