Role Purpose
The Business Partner will be pivotal in providing financial support both to the business during a period of rapid growth and operational scaling and to the broader finance team to ensure accuracy of reporting and forecasting. As the finance lead embedded across a number of Integrated Portfolio Teams, the role is crucial for driving financial performance, translating commercial strategy into financial outcomes, and identifying opportunities to improve profitability, helping to reduce silo effects to enable cross-functional collaboration and adding value to decision‑making processes.
In this capacity you will partner with IPT Leads and teams providing proactive commercial insight, develop robust project financial control and management, and support decision making through financial modelling and scenario analysis throughout the life of each project, from inception or bid through to delivery and close‑out. You will own the integrity and accuracy of the projects' financial performance (order book, revenue, margin, cash), strengthen financial knowledge and behaviours across all areas, and drive continuous improvement in project controls, forecasting accuracy, and working capital, with a strong remit to maintain a cash‑positive position.
As a member of the wider finance team you will support the month‑end and forecasting processes to embed a company‑wide culture of timely and accurate reporting and front‑foot financial management.
Additionally, your role will use best practice to drive the development of strong internal financial controls, operational efficiency, ownership and pride throughout the team.
Key Responsibilities
* Own and manage financial integrity of IPT accounting, ensuring financial position and risks are highlighted.
* Provide insight on pricing, discount structures and customer profitability to support evaluation of commercial deals and bids for viability and ROI.
* Support sales forecasting, pipeline analysis and revenue growth strategies.
* Analyse operational cost drivers, identify inefficiencies and propose cost‑optimisation strategies.
* Lead budgeting and forecasting for business units, aligning with overall strategy.
* Prepare scenario models for new initiatives, product launches and investment decisions.
* In collaboration with Finance team, ensure timely production of monthly Management Accounts.
* Assist in the budgeting and forecasting process, working closely with project teams.
* Influence and drive a culture that plans, reviews and delivers tighter cost understanding, control and management.
* Liaise with Commercial Team to raise and resolve issues timely.
* Assist auditors to understand year‑end positions taken on relevant projects.
Data, Reporting & Systems Development
* Develop key project‑level performance indicators and metrics to support decision making.
* Develop dashboards and reports that clearly communicate the story behind the numbers.
* Embed continuous development of financial reporting, procedures, systems and controls.
* Drive simplification and automation across financial workflows, eliminating or streamlining non‑value‑added activities.
Cash Management
* Feed into the monthly cash forecasting process, developing project‑level near‑term cash forecasts and reporting.
* Liaise with credit control to ensure billing milestones are raised as soon as practical.
People & Capability
* Lead, mentor and support IPT and finance teams to drive a high‑performance culture ready to support future growth.
* Actively contribute to raising the quality and standard of financial information, behaviour and support throughout the business.
* Embed accountability, ownership, transparency and cross‑department collaboration.
* Coach non‑finance stakeholders to improve financial understanding and decision‑making.
Other
* Other ad‑hoc duties as and when required to support the Finance Director and wider management team and business.
Skills & Experience
* Commercially focused qualified accountant (e.g., CIMA, ACA, ACCA) or equivalent experience.
* Proven experience in a manufacturing or similar environment.
* Excellent analytical and problem‑solving ability and attention to detail.
* Advanced Microsoft Office, including Excel and familiarity with ERP/manufacturing systems.
* Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders.
* Proven ability to lead, develop and inspire teams.
* Proactive, organised, able to multi‑task and comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment.
* A strategic mindset with hands‑on capability and a passion for continuous improvement.
Personal Attributes
* Demonstrates company values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence and Courage.
* Hands‑on manager that is self‑motivated and proactive member of a finance team with a commitment to getting the job done.
* Highly organised and methodical approach, with an eye for detail.
* Dedicated to furthering standards of the department and finding business‑fit solutions.
* Able to cope with change and conflicting demands.
* Good personal time management and priority setting, comfortable working to deadlines.
* Confident communicator with experience engaging senior stakeholders.
* Excellent interpersonal and written skills, able to clearly explain financial information and terminology to non‑technical parties.
* Change‑driven, decisive, adaptable and resilient.
* Inspires others to achieve.
* Learns and shares knowledge.
Work Life Balance
* 37.5 hour working week.
* Lunchtime finishes on a Friday.
* Hybrid / flexible working arrangements.
* 28 days annual leave.
* Christmas closure.
* Holiday purchasing scheme.
Benefits
* Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 5%.
* Income protection scheme.
* Health Cash Plan.
* Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service and physiotherapy consultations.
* Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling and probate helpline.
* Company shares incentive plan and save‑as‑you‑earn scheme.
* Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
* Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app and mental health support for all employees.
* Regular sports and social activities.
* Reward platform (high street discounts, employee benefits, health and wellbeing offerings).
* Recruitment referral bonus scheme.
* Excellent learning & development opportunities.
Security Clearance Requirements
Due to the nature of our business, staff need to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. If successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.
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