To work and to lead, as an integral member of an organisation responsible for delivering c.£250m of capital expenditure per annum, proactively identifying, planning, and meeting the needs of the business, to inform executive decisions. Working in coordination with members of the wider finance team, and positively challenging senior leaders, and business activities, to deliver the business outcomes of a region responsible for c.£2.5bn of expenditure per annum.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead, inspire and develop the finance team to maintain full engagement in meeting business objectives and provide specialist expertise to functional management on all financial issues.
• Coordinate and direct the preparation of the budget and financial forecasts and report variances to understand current performance and trends to enable better business decisions.
• Review, co-ordinate and present the relevant monthly executive pack to facilitate knowledge and influence business leaders in understanding and delivering their functional finances.
• Accountable for the Corporate Governance process for the function, maintaining compliance with relevant technical accounting standards.
• Develop and improve co-ordination with other functions, maintain positive working relationships with Network Rail departments/functions and relevant government bodies to maintain more cohesive business performance and understanding of the wider business plan.
• Using expertise and knowledge to maintain technical standards of accounting in accordance with statutory, regulatory, HMRC and Group Policy & Regulations.
• Assure and maintain procedures and systems of internal control to protect safe stewardship and custody of assets and maintain the integrity of the associated financial records.
• Proactively challenge the management of financial and business risk to reduce the financial and reputational risk to the business plan.
• Conduct financial reviews of departmental performance to aid understanding of the business and improve governance.
• Oversee all investment proposals and provide analytical information to assist in making investment decisions for the function to achieve business objectives.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified with relevant accounting qualification, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent.
• Strong financial aptitude with high personal and professional standards to be able to act as a role model to inspire others.
• Significant experience in balancing stakeholder expectations against the needs and capabilities of the business and wider government
• Knowledge and experience of conflict resolution and positive challenge
• Expansive experience within multiple financial disciplines
• Significant experience in influencing senior leaders and facilitating business decisions.
• Thorough knowledge of emerging risk management and Governance procedures

Desirable

• Wide and successful background either in rail or construction industry with extensive experience at a senior level
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Experience of third-party funding arrangements