Senior Finance Business Partner

To fulfil our long-term ambitions as a business, we recognised a need for change which led to the formation of Platform4, bringing together the teams of LCR and the development team of Network Rail Group Property. Platform4 is working on a range of projects in and around railway stations to enable development, housing, jobs, growth and public value. We have the target of unlocking the delivery of 40,000 homes, to be consistently delivering returns to the Railway and investing where we can make a difference.

Whilst this role is being advertised by LCR please be advised that it is being recruited for Platform 4 – an exciting new organisation which is an imminent merger between LCR and Network Rail’s property development business. Publicly owned and commercially operated Platform 4 will deliver social, financial and economic value. Please visit  for more details.

Now, we are building on this expertise, working in collaboration with Network Rail, to act as the ‘guiding mind’ on a programme of development at and around stations to facilitate the delivery of tens of thousands of homes and jobs. We are seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to join our Finance team in our London Office.

Platform4 is currently recruiting a Senior Finance Business Partner to work with our development team (c. 50 people), who will work alongside the Head of PMO and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to drive the successful delivery of our Business Model and Business Plan. In this role you will evaluate financial data and influence investment decision‑making by offering solutions, providing challenge and navigating complex processes on behalf of senior stakeholders.

You will be responsible for the production of accurate and timely management information and for translating this into decision‑relevant insights.

• Proactive Business Partnering by reaching out and exploring the activities of the Development teams, Head of PMO, and Chief Financial Officer and their leadership teams.
• Present financials at the Panels and to C‑Suite stakeholders.
• Develop strong relationships and credibility with the Development Directors, Head of PMO, CFO and leadership teams and act as a trusted adviser on all matters relating to finance.
• Lead the financial planning and analysis process for the Development teams ensuring accurate tracking vs. budget/reforecast; investigation & explanation for variances arising; and communication of performance to key stakeholders. Add commercial value through delivery of clear, targeted analytics to enable appropriate management action to be taken and commercial value delivered.
• Partner with internal customers on the pursuit of operational efficiency and strategic growth, or by performing ad hoc analysis and forward‑looking strategic projections over the cost and benefit profiles.
• Monitor and analyse investment projects, including financial analyses, by evaluating their strengths and weaknesses to issue recommendations to the executive team.
• Ensure compliance with transaction approval procedures in accordance with delegated authorities, policies, and current budgets.
• Drive continuous improvements in processes and reporting to ensure that the activities of the team best deliver the requirements of our customers.
• Build a strong culture of accountability, to ensure output and quality of the services meet stakeholder expectations and are in line with agreed KPIs.
• Provide visible leadership and deliver effective and timely communications to the Development Directors, Head of PMO and CFO.

• Undergraduate degree in finance, business administration, real estate, accounting or any relevant field.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA).
• Strong financial modelling and Power BI.
• Good understanding of real estate legal documents (purchase and sale agreements, JV partnership and management agreements, financing, leases, financial statements, etc.).
• Solid understanding of investment and development processes.
• Proven ability to build successful internal business relationships.
• Ability to simplify and communicate finance terminology to non‑financial colleagues.
• Be resilient to challenge and not afraid to back themselves with senior management.