Commercial Controls & Finance Lead

Tasks

The role is senior lead for project financial control and commercial performance. The ideal candidate would help build the forecasting model, and ensure the project’s cost and revenue position is accurate, compliant, and clearly understood by senior management and operational teams. You will be an experienced leader, capable of managing a mixed team of commercial and finance professionals.

• Lead and develop a team of up to 10 commercial and finance staff.
• Set clear ways of working for cost control, reporting, forecasting and compliance.
• Provide visible leadership on financial discipline, risk management and performance improvement.

• Own the project’s financial forecast and medium-term outlook, working closely with the Technical Controlling Lead and the SPV CFO, to align technical progress, programme and cost.
• Develop and deliver commercial strategies to maximise return under the contract’s cost recovery / charging mechanisms.
• Lead cost tracking and performance analysis, highlighting trends, risks, opportunities and required actions.
• Support short- and medium-term planning.
• Provide commercial assurance: internal controls, checks, and compliance reviews to protect the project and the business.

• Lead the monthly finance close for the project, ensuring timely and accurate results.
• Ensure correct cost capture, coding and postings.
• Reconcile key accounts, review transactions, post adjustments, and explain variances versus budget/forecast.
• Maintain the project chart of accounts and ensure alignment between financial accounts and technical cost accounts.
• Ensure project cost data is properly recorded and processed in the ERP systems, INV4U / AS4U.
• Support preparation of Applications for Payment with robust evidence and accurate cost data.

• Be the senior point of contact for project managers and discipline leads on cost, forecast, performance and financial processes.
• Train and support non-financial colleagues so they understand the “why” and “how” of financial controls and group policies.
• Work closely with procurement to align purchase commitments, costs, supplier management and reporting.

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in commercial finance, FP&A, or business partnering roles.
• Strong understanding of financial controls and risk management frameworks.
• Experience supporting complex contracts, pricing models, and revenue recognition.
• Advanced financial modelling and Excel skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Previous experience of using ERP systems, specifically INV4U and AS4U.