Senior Finance Business Partner

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

Job summary

A national rail organization is seeking a finance professional to enhance business performance through financial guidance and budget management. The ideal candidate will have experience in complex financial environments and strong stakeholder engagement skills. Offering a competitive salary and benefits, this role is an excellent opportunity for those looking to impact the transport sector significantly.

Benefits

Salary Band £55,596 - £65,966

Up to 75% off Rail and London travel

Extensive retail discounts

Public sector pension

28 days annual leave

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Membership or working towards membership of a relevant accounting body.
• Successful relevant experience in complex financial environments.
• Record of budget management and governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial advice and guidance to improve business performance.
• Monitor risks and opportunities to minimize financial impacts.
• Drive investment decisions and new business activities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Financial control

Budget management

Decision-making skills

Technical Financial knowledge

Education

Degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Oracle systems

Job description

Overview

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. To discover more about our ED&I commitments.

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

To work as an integral member of supported business senior leadership team, to proactively identify, plan and meet the finance needs of the business in order to improve business performance, in coordination with other members of the wider finance team as required. To positively challenge Senior Leaders, budgets and business activities to enable the best business outcomes are delivered.

About the role (External)

Key Accountabilities

1. Consolidate, critically review and provide technical advice and guidance on periodic financial results and forecasts to Identify and monitor risks, opportunities and efficiencies to minimise the financial and legal impact on the business area.
2. Provide robust professional recommendations and financial guidance on accounting guidelines and standards to enable the business to be financially and legally compliant.
3. Provide technical and professional oversight of the periodic accounts, relevant analysis and preparation of business plans and budgets to enable the business to make effective decisions.
4. Develop, understand and influence the cost and income drivers relevant to the business area to deliver the yearly business plan and manage to the overall settlement by effective decision making.
5. Influence, coach and challenge senior budget holders in understanding the impact of their period results and forecasts against budgets in order to manage their business more effectively and manage within budgeting limits.
6. Proactively challenge budget holders plans and budget submissions to understand the overall plan, providing advice and new initiatives to save costs and be more efficient as an organisation.
7. Drive, adapt and deliver key KPI'S and deliverables for the function, highlighting any significant issues and trends with financial and other business results to aid decision makers to make efficiencies.
8. Lead in budget holder key meetings on financial performance to provide professional financial advice and guidance to drive business decisions, minimise risk and deliver good corporate governance.
9. Develop, drive and implement investment decisions and new business activities, working collaboratively with senior leaders to explore new opportunities and drive business performance.

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. This should include Customers; 3 rd party representatives, other business & functional leaders and key support personnel.
• 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 and Benefits

• Salary: Band 3C £55,596 £65,966 dependent on skills and experience of successful candidate.
• Inner London Allowance - £3,270pa
• Up to 75% off Rail and London Underground work season ticket
• Up to 75% off leisure rail travel for themselves and partner
• Extensive retail and shopping discounts
• Public sector boosted pension.
• 28 days annual leave (flexible and up to 5 additional days for voluntary work)
• Cycle to work scheme.

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Closing date: 12 th September 2025- Late applications will not be accepted.

Click apply now to apply.

This is a fixed term opportunity ending on 28th August 2026.

You will be expected to be working in the office at least 3 days per week.

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, see the company site.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.