Project Finance Lead

Building a sustainable tomorrow

We have an exciting opportunity for a temporary Business Controller to join our team on the BAM Infrastructure Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) West project on a 12‑month contract. Based at our Huddersfield office, this role offers the chance to play a key part in a major infrastructure project.

Location:

Huddersfield (office‑based 4 days per week, 1 day working from home).

Contract:

12‑Month Fixed‑Term Contract.

• Strategic Leadership & Commercial Partnership – act as a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team, driving strategic decision‑making through deep commercial insight and shaping financial outcomes by identifying key risks, opportunities, and value drivers across the project portfolio.
• Project Reporting & Insight Generation – lead best‑in‑class financial reporting frameworks that deliver actionable insights and enable data‑driven decision‑making; provide forward‑looking analysis across P&L, cash flow and order book to support strategic planning and risk mitigation.
• Financial Governance & Review – play a pivotal role within the project leadership team by providing robust financial oversight, control, challenge and guidance across monthly, quarterly and annual reviews, driving accountability and performance improvement across all project stakeholders.
• Integrated Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting – lead the development of integrated financial plans, including annual budgets and periodic forecasts, aligning financial objectives with strategic priorities and embedding advanced analytics, scenario planning and KPI‑driven insights.
• Effective Cash Management – drive optimisation of cash performance and working capital through robust forecasting, proactive management of WIP and collaboration with operational teams, influencing strategic decisions that enhance liquidity and support sustainable financial performance.
• Commercial & Cost Optimisation Strategy – ensure any proposed commercial agreements are strategically leveraged to maximise financial outcomes, leading initiatives to identify and unlock cost efficiencies and recovery opportunities, embedding a value‑focused culture across project financial management.
• Advanced Financial Modelling & Decision Support – own and develop sophisticated financial models and scenario analyses to support strategic initiatives, providing forward‑looking insights that inform business strategy, commercial performance and risk management.
• Transformation & Continuous Improvement Leadership – lead and influence finance transformation initiatives, driving process optimisation, system enhancements and adoption of best practices, acting as a change agent to improve efficiency, scalability and quality of financial operations across the project.
• Audit & Risk Leadership – manage internal and external audit engagements as the senior financial representative for the TRU West project, ensuring timely resolution of audit matters while strengthening financial governance, risk management and compliance frameworks.
• People Leadership & Talent Development – work closely with the Commercial Director to develop a high‑performing commercial finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Strategic Contribution & Segment Initiatives – contribute beyond core responsibilities by leading or supporting cross‑functional strategic initiatives, transformation programmes and ad‑hoc projects that drive project‑wide value creation.

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA).
• Expertise in providing financial insight and support to Commercial and Operations.
• Committed team player who thrives on collaborating across a large business.
• Track record of building strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Adept at influencing and negotiating within senior leadership teams.
• Experienced in mentoring junior colleagues and supporting their development.
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic, with exceptional organisational and time‑management skills.
• Understanding and experience of critical finance transactional operations and underlying control points and best practice across…