Finance Business Partner – North West & Wales
Location: Regional (North West & Wales)
Function: Finance
Contract: Permanent
Reports to: Commercial Finance Director
Salary: Competitive + benefits
Join Arriva and help shape the financial future of one of the UK's leading transport providers.
We're looking for a commercially minded and analytically driven Finance Business Partner to support our North West & Wales region. This is a key role within our Finance function – providing strategic financial insight, challenge and support to drive performance and enable sound business decision-making across a complex operational environment.
You'll act as a trusted partner to the regional leadership team, influencing decisions through high-quality analysis and financial guidance. This is a hands-on, high-impact position – ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, varied environment and enjoys working closely with the business to deliver tangible results.
About the role
As Finance Business Partner, you'll act as the bridge between Finance and Operations, providing insight that drives strategic and operational improvements. You'll take ownership for financial planning, forecasting, analysis and performance management across the region – ensuring we deliver accurate, timely, and meaningful financial information that supports our growth and efficiency goals.
You'll also work closely with site managers and depot teams, developing their financial understanding, supporting business case development, and ensuring strong financial control and commercial focus.
This role requires regular travel across the North West & Wales region.
Key responsibilities
* Partner with operational and commercial teams to provide financial insights, analysis, and guidance to support decision-making and drive business performance.
* Lead on budgets, forecasts, and financial planning processes – delivering accurate results and clear variance analysis.
* Link operational KPIs to financial delivery, identifying trends and opportunities to drive improvement.
* Ensure accurate allocation and release of revenue and costs to the P&L, working closely with the shared service function to improve processes.
* Build and support business cases with regional and depot leadership, providing financial challenge and scenario modelling.
* Deliver strong financial modelling and analysis to support strategic and tactical business needs.
* Provide financial and analytical support to the Regional Franchising team.
* Support Site Managers in improving their understanding of financial performance and driving efficiency.
* Collaborate with peers to drive consistency, standardisation and best practice across the regional finance network.
About you
You'll be a confident and proactive finance professional who enjoys partnering with the business and adding real value through insight and analysis. You'll combine technical ability with strong communication and relationship-building skills, allowing you to influence effectively across all levels of the organisation.
You'll bring:
* Qualified accountant status (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) – or qualified by experience with proven track record in financial planning, analysis, and control.
* Strong commercial acumen with experience partnering with operational or commercial teams.
* Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and translate it into actionable insight.
* Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
* Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and deliver to tight deadlines.
* Confident communication and influencing skills at all levels.
* A continuous improvement mindset and the confidence to challenge the status quo.
Why Arriva?
Arriva is one of the largest transport services organisations in Europe, employing over 60,000 people and delivering 2.2 billion passenger journeys each year across 14 countries. With strong roots dating back to 1938 and an ambitious growth agenda there's never been a more exciting time to join us.
You'll be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking Finance team, where your insights will directly shape performance and help us deliver for the communities we serve.
Ready to make a real impact?
Apply now and help drive the financial success of Arriva UK Bus across the North West & Wales region.