Finance Business Partner

This Finance Business Partner post sits within HS2 Ltd and supports the directorates and programme teams it works with. The core of the role is assurance and challenge over cost control, including financial endorsement of change papers, forecasts against Spending Review funding, year-end accounts and liaison with NAO auditors. It is distinct for its major infrastructure programme setting and for representing the Chief Financial Officer at review meetings and investment panels.

Applicants must be qualified accountants who already hold the right to work in the UK, as no sponsorship is offered.

• Provide assurance and challenge on cost control across the directorates supported
• Act as the CFO's representative at monthly review meetings and on investment change panels
• Review and financially endorse change and investment papers, challenging risks and opportunities
• Provide assurance to senior management that expenditure and contract payments are appropriate
• Oversee the month-end close and prepare the accounts and year-end audit plan
• Advise on IFRS accounting treatment and justify accounting adjustments to NAO auditors
• Review and challenge forecasts against Spending Review funding and propose remedial actions
• Support business planning, forecasting and budget setting within funding caps
• Provide budget variance commentary and review programme board packs
• Develop cashflow forecast reporting for DfT and challenge supply chain submissions
• Provide workforce actual cost and forecast information for programme cost estimates
• Challenge budget holders to achieve workforce objectives and optimise resources

• Qualified accountant

• Experience of operating in a complex environment
• Experience of driving output-focused, activity-based budgets and forecasts
• Experience supporting annual business plan and budget setting within Spending Review caps
• Experience of delivering finance business support to programme teams and directorates

• Communicating complex financial issues to non-financial colleagues and securing compliance with Managing Public Money
• Stakeholder management and consensus-building up to Executive level
• Influencing key decisions
• Critically reviewing forecasts for affordability, value for money, timing and programme impact
• ERP and accounting systems, data analytics, complex Excel models and off-system analyses
• Knowledge of Government accounting requirements (DEL/AME funding)

• Right to work in the UK at time of application, excluding certain time-bound visas
• Pre-employment checks: nationality and immigration status, employment references, DBS, financial and education checks

• Ensuring effective financial controls within a major project
• Behaviour consistent with HS2 values of Safety, Leadership, Integrity and Respect

• Flexible benefits fund of 20% of base salary, paid on top and fully pensionable
• Competitive benefits package, set out on the employer's website
• Flexible working
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Staff networks
• Workplace adjustments