Senior Finance Business Partner

Network Rail; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A national railway company is offering an opportunity for a Senior Finance Business Partner in Manchester. This 12-month fixed-term role involves providing financial insight and guidance, ensuring compliance while driving performance improvements. Ideal candidates should have relevant accounting qualifications and significant experience in a financial environment, along with strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Flexible working

Support for accessibility needs

Qualifications

• Membership or working towards membership of a relevant accounting body.
• Experience in a complex financial environment.
• Ability to manage business risks and professional financial control.

Responsibilities

• Consolidate and review financial results and forecasts.
• Lead Financial Planning process for West Coast South Route.
• Deliver key financial performance meetings.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Financial control

Budget management

Decision-making

Technical Financial knowledge

Education

Degree in accounting and finance

Tools

Oracle systems

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.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. 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.

Brief Description

We're offering an exciting opportunity to join us as a Senior Finance Business Partner on a 12-month fixed-term contract. In this role, you'll be an integral member of the Supported Business Senior Leadership Team, working at the heart of the business to proactively identify, plan, and meet financial needs that drive improved performance. You'll collaborate closely with the wider finance team and act as a trusted partner - providing insight, positively challenging senior leaders, budgets, and business activities to ensure the very best outcomes are delivered.

About the role (External)

As Senior Finance Business Partner, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the leadership team by providing expert financial insight, challenge, and guidance. You'll ensure the business is financially and legally compliant, while proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and efficiencies to drive stronger performance and outcomes. Acting as a trusted partner, you'll help shape business plans, budgets, and investment decisions to enable effective, confident decision-making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Consolidating, reviewing, and advising on financial results, forecasts, and business plans.
• Leading the Financial Planning process for West Coast South Route.
• Providing professional recommendations on accounting standards and compliance.
• Coaching and challenging senior budget holders to manage results within limits.
• Identifying and reporting cost-saving initiatives, efficiencies, and new business opportunities.
• Leading key financial performance meetings, delivering clear analysis and professional advice.
• Driving delivery and continuous improvement of financial reporting, KPIs and highlighting risks, trends, and opportunities.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential:

• Membership (or working towards membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW) or equivalent experience.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills all levels.
• Successful relevant experience working in a complex financial environment including demonstrable experience in managing business risks, professional financial control and forward planning.
• Demonstrable record of budget management, governance and ability to understand and interpret commercial and financial landscapes (budgets, forecasts, actual status).
• Significant experience in managing ambiguity in a financial environment with strong evaluation and decision-making skills.
• Excellent technical Financial and Accounting knowledge and application of that knowledge in a complex and commercial environment.
• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, for example accounting and finance, business management or equivalent demonstrable experience in finance.

Desirable:

• Full membership of relevant post graduate professional body (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW).
• Experience of Oracle based systems.
• Substantial experience within multiple finance disciplines.
• Knowledge and technical expertise of Government accounting and relevant financial governance.
• Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.

How to apply (External)

Salary: £55,596 - £65,966 Band3C. Closing date: Friday 17th October. - Late applications will not be accepted. **This is a 12 month FTC**. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.