Finance Business Partner

About the Role

As a Finance Business Partner you will provide assurance and challenge, driving accountability and cost control across the directorates you support, while ensuring appropriate finance support for effective decision‑making and performance management of direct and indirect costs. • Provide assurance and challenge to drive accountability and cost control across supported directorates. • Act as the CFO’s representative at monthly review meetings and on investment change panels. • Review and endorse Change and Investment Papers, identifying risks, opportunities and associated costs. • Ensure reported expenditure and contract payments are appropriate and compliant with public‑money guidelines. • Advise on IFRS accounting treatment, prepare justifications and support NAO auditors as required. • Oversee month‑end close, prepare accounts and lead year‑end audit planning. • Produce monthly analytics of contract spend, budget variance commentary and assure Programme Board Packs. • Review emerging forecasts, monitor Spending Review funding and propose remedial actions. • Collaborate with supply‑chain finance and commercial teams to improve actual cost of work performed and cash‑flow reporting. • Develop cash‑flow forecasts for the DfT and challenge supply‑chain submissions. • Support business planning and forecasting processes, ensuring reliable cost and commercial data. • Facilitate system and reporting changes for effective budget management. • Provide workforce cost forecasts and challenge budget holders to optimise resources. • Promote and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all finance activities. • Communicate complex financial issues to non‑financial stakeholders and secure compliance. • Build consensus with internal and external executives and influence key decisions. • Critically review forecasts for affordability, value for money, timing and programme impact. • Utilise ERP systems, data‑analytics tools and advanced Excel models. • Delivered activity‑based budgets and forecasts within Spending Review funding caps. • Contributed to annual business plan and budget setting for large‑scale programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸erp systems
• ▸data analytics
• ▸excel modelling
• ▸cash‑flow forecast
• ▸budget analytics
• ▸month‑end close

What You Bring

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as HS2 does not sponsor visas, and successful candidates will undergo pre‑employment checks including nationality, references, DBS, financial and education verification; the recruitment process also anonymises CVs to reduce bias. • Qualified accountant with experience in complex, infrastructure‑focused environments. • Knowledge of government accounting requirements (DEL/AME funding) and public‑money compliance. • Proven ability to develop off‑system analyses and manage financial controls on major projects.

Requirements

• ▸qualified accountant
• ▸infrastructure
• ▸government accounting
• ▸compliance
• ▸financial controls
• ▸uk right

Benefits

Base salary ranges from £54,878 to £64,562 per annum depending on skills and experience, supplemented by a flexible benefits fund equal to 20% of salary that is fully pensionable, plus a suite of competitive benefits available on the company website. HS2 Ltd is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all staff feel valued, thrive, and can reach their full potential, offering flexible working, adjustments, staff networks, and personal and professional development opportunities.

Work Environment

Hybrid