About Network Rail
Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. We believe in a diverse, inclusive workplace and commitment to flexibility and work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we will accommodate needs throughout the recruitment process. If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
We offer excellent benefits, including:
* Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
* Defined benefit pension scheme.
* 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
* Up to 75% off leisure travel.
* Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
* Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
* Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
* Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
* Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
* Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support employees during life moments.
Plus, more…
Brief Description
You'll be joining the Route Services finance team, which is part of the corporate structure known as Finance and Business Support, within the Route Services directorate. Your role involves supporting the function to deliver services that are vital to the running of the railway, delivering the provision of services agreed by the routes to allow them to benefit from economies of scale and the optimisation of our critical resources.
Job introduction
To work with the supported business leadership team, under the direction of the Senior Finance Business Partner, to deliver professional finance and accounting advice. Provides proactive, value add finance support to the business leaders across the function/route.
About the role (External)
Main responsibilities
What will you be doing?
* Lead and provide financial advice and guidance to senior budget holders in understanding the impact of the period results and forecasts against budgets so they can understand their business better.
* Conduct assurance activities and creation of assurance dashboards to ensure a strong control environment is in place across Route Services.
* Be the expert in the function on accounting practices and advise on financial results and forecasts for budget holders, including preparing period accruals, transfers and adjustments to validate accounts are reflective, relevant.
* Manage corporate governance throughout the cost centres they manage, conducting deep dives and reviewing compliance with financial regulations to protect the business from legal or negative consequences.
* Deliver expert and accurate business review information and reporting and highlight any significant issues with financial and other business results to enable informed decision making by the business area.
* Engage and influence senior members of the team to help them understand their financial position and use professional expertise to guide in initiatives to improve business performance
* Build bottom up, detailed plans to manage and develop the production of business plans and budgets to enable good corporate governance and value add analysis for senior leaders
* Identify and proactively manage commercial risks, including the financial suitability of new customers or suppliers reducing the potential risk impact on the business area and influencing decision makers.
* Manage the performance of central accounting functions to deliver for the cost centre area to enable an efficiently and effective accounting service.
* Collate, investigate and make recommendation for investment appraisals and business case analysis to aid business decisions.
* Model and analyse cost base and identify and drive opportunities and efficiencies to achieve area targets.
The ideal candidate
What we are looking for
* Demonstrate strong understanding of business needs and relevant application of accounting standards
* Membership (Or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA) or equivalent experience
* Expert knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining accounts and annual budget
* Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines
* Strong excel skills and use of data manipulation
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills
* Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language
* Demonstrable effective influencing skills at a senior level
* Significant understanding of financial control and risk
* Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge
What could make you stand out
* Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects
* Membership of a relevant accounting body
* Extensive experience of Oracle based systems
* Degree or equivalent qualification in finance and accounting or business management or experience
* Strong PowerBi skills and experience of creating reporting dashboards
* Experience in assuring business financial and non-financial activity
How to apply (External)
Vacancy Type: Full-time, Hybrid working of 3 days in the office. but flexible working patterns will be considered.
Duration: 6-month fix term contract, potential to become permanent
These positions are based in : The Quadrant, Milton Keynes, must live within 90 minutes of this location.
Closing date: 17th September 2025
Interviews: held in person from 24th September 2025
Band & Salary: 4C £43,588 - £51,719
We are committed to a diverse workplace enriched with representation from diverse cultures, backgrounds and skills. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where difference is embraced, and individuals can thrive. We recognise that the success of the team is dependent on a multi-cultural, multi-disciplined group of individuals, aligned to deliver successful solutions.
At Network Rail, we have a number of employee networks to reflect our diverse population and help to raise issues to the wider workforce and support their membership and support our Everybody Matters strategy, led by our central Diversity & Inclusion team. We have Diversity & Inclusion Champions who take part and lead on many activities, to drive through more initiatives to support an inclusive environment for all its people and promote a professional and positive working environment. For more information on Diversity & Inclusion at Network Rail, please follow this link
Do you consider yourself to have a protected characteristic? If so and you require any additional support with your application, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcer who will happily assist.
Click 'apply for this job' to apply. If you would like to speak the Resourcing Team please contact mark.powell4@networkrail.co.uk
For further information of the role please contact mark.powell4@networkrail.co.uk
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