Senior Finance Business Partner (Location can be Swindon, Bristol, Reading, London Paddington or Exeter)

Your Main Responsibilities will be to:

1. Consolidate, critically review and provide technical advice and guidance on periodic financial results and forecasts to Identify and monitor risks, opportunities and efficiencies to minimise the financial and legal impact on the business area.

2. Provide robust professional recommendations and financial guidance on accounting guidelines and standards to enable the business to be financially and legally compliant.

3. Provide technical and professional oversight of the periodic accounts, relevant analysis and preparation of business plans and budgets to enable the business to make effective decisions.

4. Develop, understand and influence the cost and income drivers relevant to the business area to deliver the yearly business plan and manage to the overall settlement by effective decision making.

5. Influence, coach and challenge senior budget holders in understanding the impact of their period results and forecasts against budgets in order to manage their business more effectively and manage within budgeting limits.

6. Proactively challenge budget holders plans and budget submissions to understand the overall plan, providing advice and new initiatives to save costs and be more efficient as an organisation.

7. Drive, adapt and deliver key KPI’S and deliverables for the function, highlighting any significant issues and trends with financial and other business results to aid decision makers to make efficiencies.

8. Lead in budget holder key meetings on financial performance to provide professional financial advice and guidance to drive business decisions, minimise risk and deliver good corporate governance.

9. Develop, drive and implement investment decisions and new business activities, working collaboratively with senior leaders to explore new opportunities and drive business performance., Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We’re constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we’re working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your application or interview please contact Wales&WesternCulturalFusion@networkrail.co.uk or visit the connect page: Wales and Western Cultural Fusion (sharepoint.com). For all other support please contact your HR Business Partner.

· Membership (or working towards membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW) or equivalent experience.

· Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills all levels. This should include Customers; 3^rd party representatives, other business & functional leaders and key support personnel.

· Successful relevant experience working in a complex financial environment including demonstrable experience in managing business risks, professional financial control and forward planning.

· Demonstrable record of budget management, governance and ability to understand and interpret commercial and financial landscapes (budgets, forecasts, actual status).

· Significant experience in managing ambiguity in a financial environment with strong evaluation and decision-making skills.

· Excellent technical Financial and Accounting knowledge and application of that knowledge in a complex and commercial environment.

· Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, for example accounting and finance, business management or equivalent demonstrable experience in finance.

What could set you apart

· Full membership of relevant post graduate professional body (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW)

· Experience of Oracle based systems

· Substantial experience within multiple finance disciplines

· Knowledge and technical expertise of Government accounting and relevant financial governance

· Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.

At Network Rail, we’re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We’re an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula.
Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.

About our people and the recruitment process - We’re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

· Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.

· A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.

· GWR ticket alliance – Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network.

· Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.

· A range of Pension schemes to choose from

· Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, and enhanced family friendly support.

· 5 days paid volunteering leave.

· 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.