Senior Finance Business Partner

Job Description

Overview

An exciting opportunity exists for a Senior Finance Business Partner to join the Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis team.

The successful candidate will provide financial leadership across rapidly evolving business functions, including IT, Marketing and other corporate functions. They will help senior operational leaders manage costs, prioritise investments and deliver measurable business value.

Reporting to the Divisional Finance Director, the role forms part of a small, high-performing global team focused on delivering quality insights and driving continuous process improvement and optimisation. It requires a broad commercial perspective, specialist financial expertise and the confidence to challenge established approaches and identify innovative solutions.

The role will ideally be based in Epsom, UK, working from the office a minimum of two days per week. Alternative working arrangements may be considered for a particularly strong candidate.

Your role

Finance partnership with senior operational leaders

• Act as a trusted specialist adviser to senior functional leaders and their leadership teams, independently translating complex financial and commercial information into clear recommendations.

• Challenge assumptions constructively, anticipate potential objections and influence senior stakeholders to make informed decisions that support Group priorities.

• Communicate difficult or sensitive matters clearly, build consensus and maintain a strong “no surprises” culture.

Financial planning

• Lead the development of high-quality financial plans for multiple cost centres across global regions, covering operating expenditure, capital expenditure, headcount, contracts, project investments and cash flows.

• Challenge established planning assumptions and coordinate with budget holders and procurement teams to ensure forecasts accurately reflect organisational priorities, resource requirements and contractual commitments.

• Interpret internal and external business challenges, develop scenarios and recommend the allocation of resources across competing priorities.

Financial reporting and performance management

• Own the quality and integrity of monthly performance reporting. Coordinate support from Financial Shared Services, maintain effective communication, ensure timely and accurate outputs that meet stakeholder needs, and resolve complex accounting, data or process issues.

• Lead monthly performance discussions with senior management, explaining results in a relevant and accessible way and highlighting material risks, opportunities and trends. Challenge performance, secure agreement on corrective actions and monitor delivery against agreed outcomes.

• Maintain an effective financial control environment across all supported functions, including balance sheet controls, delegated authorities, accounting compliance and the appropriate management of financial risk.

Financial analysis and decision support

• Lead complex financial analysis, scenario modelling and investment appraisals to identify innovative solutions and recommend actions with material business impact.

• Evaluate options through a broad commercial lens to maximise value from functional spend and support strategic decisions.

• Interpret and apply financial policy, accounting requirements and governance frameworks to complex or novel situations, exercising independent judgement and recommending appropriate solutions.

Process improvement and transformation

• Identify and apply internal and external best practices to optimise financial processes and strengthen reporting automation, AI-enabled finance tools and data-analysis capabilities.

• Act as a specialist resource for colleagues, providing subject-matter guidance and coaching team members with less experience.

• Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration across the wider FP&A team, supporting a “One Team” culture focused on excellence, accountability and continuous learning.

About you

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent) with substantial and demonstrable relevant experience operating at a senior finance business partnering level in large, complex, multinational organisations undergoing significant change.

• Deep and broad expertise in financial planning and analysis, business partnering, management reporting, financial modelling, cost control and financial governance.

• Proven ability to work independently and resolve complex, ambiguous or novel problems using sound judgement and analysis from multiple information sources.

• Demonstrable success in interpreting business challenges, recommending best practices and improving processes or services.

• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive issues clearly, provide constructive challenge and influence senior stakeholders to reach well-informed decisions.

• Track record of acting as a subject-matter resource and developing colleagues with less experience.

• Advanced Excel skills and experience with enterprise financial systems, such as Oracle ERP and ePBCS, together with an interest in automation, AI-enabled finance tools and data analytics.

• High personal standards, excellent attention to detail and confident, professional written and verbal communication skills. The working language for the role is English.

• Self-motivated, resilient and well organised, with the ability to plan and prioritise effectively, adapt to changing demands and meet key deadlines throughout the annual financial cycle.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.