About the role
The Commercial Business Partner (CBP) will be responsible for undertaking various Commercial assignments and project accounting tasks in support of the overall deliverables required from both the commercial finance team and project accounting team. The CBP is a fundamental member of the commercial team and will aid in activities to enable UKD to successfully bid on and win substantial future orders. In line with the Senior Commercial Leads they will help set directions for our approach to the market, whilst understanding the trends within our customers & competitors. As part of the commercial team CBP will work with the Financial Director to ensure a clear & monitored set of pricing strategies. The commercial team ensures we operate within a risk framework for bidding & commercial compliance with our clients, the largest being the Foreign & Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
The CBP will use their accounting knowledge to support the project financial team and assist in continuous process improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Finance
* Promotes a strong knowledge-culture of sound commercial bidding & business management practices aligned with corporate policies, procedures, and best practices and client regulations and expectations. Support in preparation of latest estimates to complete (ETC) and estimates at completion (EAC) for projects.
* Participates in the following departmental & cross-departmental functions:
-Programme design, pricing strategy, grant fund management mechanisms
- Commercial tender preparation
- Guides proposal teams to prepare responsive commercial tenders that meet corporate standards, develops competitive bid pricing strategies, tailor standard budgeting practices to respond to client requirements, assess a potential partner’s financial and administrative capacity to select the appropriate subcontract mechanism
* Financial management
-Guide bids to be priced profitably within strategic guidelines by having a solid understanding of company labour rates, cost structures for indirect & overhead costs and how they vary for differing types of contracts
-Measures and monitors bid performance, conversion rates (in liaison with Bus Dev)
* Helps to develop tools to continually improve the division’s commercial bid performance.
* Work with a business development team, to professionally support & service the division’s bids, fulfilling the roles of advisors, bid preparers, cost and spreadsheet reviewers.
* Responsible for the development of the commercial aspects of proposals, including production of commercially viable budgets that offer funders value for money but ensure resources are appropriate for programme needs and are aligned to programme aims and delivery.
* Provides advisory services to business development teams, proposal teams, PMUs, and other UKD staff, in collaboration with the UKD Project Mgt & Risk Office, on all aspects of commercial service delivery, including commercial tender preparation, support the development of results-based payment mechanisms, interpretation of and compliance with Chemonics’ policies and procedures, contract requirements, and client regulations, project and corporate budgeting, financial analysis and planning, risk mitigation, billing and invoicing, allowances, and subcontractor responsibility determination, negotiation, and pricing. Proactively responds to requests for assistance, information, and interpretation and provides direct support with complex issues in these areas.
Programme Finance – As and when the capacity is needed provide the following help to the Programme Finance team
* Support to project teams with clients and commercial requests including communicating and helping with adherence to project contractual requirements, government regulations, and Chemonics policies.
* Ensure project team(s) understand schedule slippage impacts costs, delivery of milestones (revenues, cash)
* Monitor and report on the level of risk held within Projects and risk evolution.
* Respond to all financial aspects of programme queries as they arise.
* Support programme finance discussion, internal and external.
* Prepare information for and ensure timely response to audits requests and queries both internally and externally.
General
* Help to drive forward the SAP by Design relaunch, assisting with the creation of management information reports from the system.
* Perform all tasks and responsibilities demonstrating behaviours consistent with Chemonics’ values and competencies appropriate for the position.
* Develop effective working relationships with clients, counterparts and stakeholders and continually promotes outstanding client service with corporate office staff and project teams.
* Support with the development of systems and processes to ensure efficiency.
* Adhere to Chemonics’ quality standards and procedures.
* Maintain confidentiality and observing data protection guidelines.
* Participate in training associated with the role.
* Any other duties as appropriate to the position, as requested.
Person Specification:
Essential Skills
* Commercial and Programme Accounting experience, grant accounting experience and/or working with Institutional funders desirable.
* Communicates clearly and concisely in both verbal and written communications; strong cross-culture communication and sensitivity skills.
* Experience of working in a business partnering capacity with the ability to challenge the status quo is desirable.
* Demonstrated experience multitasking with attention to detail, organisation, and time management skills in a fast-paced environment.
* Demonstrated experience following standard practices and procedures, receiving general instruction, and contributing to projects and initiatives, whether in an academic or business setting
* Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
* Works independently and as part of a team
* Demonstrated resourcefulness in problem-solving and initiative to learn new skills
* Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office application
* Foreign language proficiency in a relevant region we operate in is preferred
Education / Professional Skills
* Active studier working towards a recognised accounting qualification.
Other
* UK work authorisation or ability to obtain it required.
Why Join Chemonics UK? Exciting Benefits Await!
* Private Medical Insurance – Enjoy coverage from day one, ensuring your health is a priority.
* Health Cash Plan – Get support for routine healthcare costs like eye tests, complementing your private medical insurance.
* Competitive Salary – We offer a highly competitive salary within the sector.
* Pension Scheme – Employees will be auto enrolled to the pension scheme.
* Childcare Workplace Benefit – Helping working parents save on Tax and National Insurance.
* Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential support whenever you need it.
* Flexible & Hybrid Working – Work from home with only two office days per week required.
* Remote Equipment Allowance – Receive up to £150 to set up your home office comfortably.
* Generous Annual Leave – Start with 25 days, increasing to 30 days after 7 years.
* Celebrations & Team Events – Join us for summer and end-of-year parties to celebrate our achievements together!
* Travel Accident Insurance – Coverage for work-related short-term travel assignments.