Are you amercially minded finance professional who enjoys partnering with the business, challenging performance and driving value? Do you want to use your financial expertise to support a leading consultancy on its journey towards a more sustainable future?Hays are recruiting a Business Controller on behalf of a major global consultancy, based in Southampton, offering flexible working, a great benefits package and clear career development in the future. Your new roleAs Business Controller, you will join a specialist Business Finance team supporting the UK business and collaborating closely with colleagues across the UK and internationally. You will be a key partner to senior management, providing insightful financial analysis, challenge and guidance to support decision-making and improve performance.Your key responsibilities will include:Business Controlling & Advisory
1. Act as a proactive, forward-looking finance partner focused on value creation
2. Attend management meetings and present financial results and insights
3. Proactively identify and flag risks and opportunities, and follow up on agreed actions
4. Manage and analyse working capital, including WIP analysis and contingency management
Reporting & Analysis
5. Oversee Ie Statement reporting and deliver clear variance analysis
6. Perform root cause analysis on key drivers including staff costs, margins, billing ratio and non-productive time
7. Prepare management reporting packs andmentary for senior stakeholders
8. Support ad hoc financial reporting, including year-end audit requirements
9. Lead project analysis and reporting, including customer and project profitability, project mix versus targets, and risk/opportunity assessment
Planning & Forecasting
10. Manage the budgeting and forecasting process in consultation with business leaders
11. Ensure budgets and forecasts are robust, accurate and owned by management
Continuous Improvement
12. Take an active lead in identifying and implementing finance and process improvement initiatives
13. Contribute to enhancing tools, reporting and ways of working across the Business Finance team
What you’ll need to succeed
14. A strong academic background with a recognised professional finance qualification (ACA, CIMA or equivalent) or working towards
15. Provenmercial finance / business partnering experience
16. Good understanding of project accounting, financial and management accounting principles
17. Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, particularly in Excel
18. The ability to engage, challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels while maintaining strongmercial awareness
19. A collaborative approach with the ability to build positive business relationships
What you’ll get in returnYou will join a forward-thinking, foundation-owned consultancy with a strong focus on sustainability, responsibility and long-term value. Benefits package will include:
20. A flexible, hybrid working environment
21. Life assurance / death in service
22. Ie protection insurance
23. Annual bonus scheme (performance-based)
24. Option to buy or sell holiday
25. Enhanced family leave policies (maternity, adoption, paternity)
26. Private medical insurance or medical cash plan (role-dependent)
27. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
28. Cycle to Work scheme
29. Season ticket loans
30. Discount platform / employee perks portal
31. Charity volunteering opportunities
You can also expect:
32. Ongoing investment in your professional development
33. Supportive leaders who are guided by clear leadership principles
34. An inclusive, open and collaborative culture where you are valued as an individual
35. The opportunity to work on inspiring projects alongside experts across buildings and related sectors
36. The organisation ismitted to equality, diversity and inclusion, weing applications from all backgrounds and characteristics, and providing a supportive environment where everyone can flourish.