ROLE PURPOSE To provide strong financial governance, insight, and leadership across an Operating Unit, ensuring accurate reporting and robust financial control. The role supports a diverse portfolio of major infrastructure projects (circa eight core projects) across transport and civil engineering sectors, while contributing to the wider Operating Unit finance leadership agenda.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Governance
* Lead and develop a project accounting team, embedding a safety-first and high-performance culture where finance is a value-adding partner to project delivery teams
* Act as a key business partner to senior operational, commercial, and divisional stakeholders
* Apply strong commercial judgement and project scrutiny to drive sustainable project profitability
* Ensure consistent application of internal project reporting and review procedures, supporting training and continuous improvement
* Project & Performance Management: review and challenge project financial performance at forecast, review, and performance meetings
* Provide clear insight into project balance sheets including cash, WIP, receivables, and payables, and forecast the impact of project changes on these KPIs
* Support strong project governance, controls, and compliance across the portfolio
Reporting & Forecasting
* Oversee the timely production of accurate, insightful monthly management accounts in line with internal and external accounting standards
* Lead and coordinate quarterly forecasting cycles, working closely with commercial and operational teams to produce high-quality reporting packs
* Ensure transparent and compliant financial reporting aligned to accounting, tax, and regulatory requirements
Controls, Audit & Compliance
* Ensure financial processes and controls are consistently applied, identifying and implementing improvements where appropriate
* Manage interim and year-end external audit processes
* Support client audit activities in collaboration with project teams
* Contribute to statutory reporting, internal audit, and project-level financial reviews as required
Continuous Improvement & Technical Excellence
* Embed a continuous improvement mindset to drive efficiency, customer focus, and team engagement
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant accounting standards and regulatory changes, ensuring policies and procedures remain compliant
Success Measures
* High-quality, accurate, and timely financial reporting
* Strong project financial performance supported by effective governance and control
* Positive feedback from senior stakeholders and project teams
* Well-run, engaged, and high-performing finance team
* Continuous improvements in financial processes and systems
Skills & Experience
* Proven experience in infrastructure, construction, utilities, or engineering-led environments
* Strong background in project accounting and project finance
* Fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent preferred)
* Excellent understanding of financial and management accounting within a complex ERP environment
* ERP system experience essential (modern cloud-based systems preferred)
* Highly analytical, detail-focused, and commercially astute
#J-18808-Ljbffr