Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£59,268 to £69,727 per annum depending on skills and experience, plus a flexible benefits fund of 20% paid on top of base salary and fully pensionable

About the Role
As a Finance Business Partner at High Speed Two (HS2), you will provide assurance and challenge, driving accountability and focus on cost control throughout the directorates you support. You will provide oversight, control and direction to your team (if applicable) and ensure appropriate finance support to promote effective decision making and performance management of Direct and Indirect Costs.

Your responsibilities will include providing guidance on governance application within your area, acting as the Chief Financial Officer’s (CFO) representative at monthly review meetings, and reviewing and financially endorsing Change and Investment Papers by challenging risks, opportunities, and ensuring programme impacts and associated costs are clearly identified.

You will represent HS2 on investment change panels, provide assurance to senior management regarding reported expenditure and contract payments, and contribute to policy development and enterprise reporting and planning.

Additional duties include providing guidance on IFRS accounting treatments, supporting NAO auditors with accounting adjustments, overseeing month-end financial account closes, preparing accounts and plans for year-end audit, and providing budget variance commentary.

You will review and assure Programme Board Packs, challenge emerging forecasts, monitor against Spending Review funding, and propose remedial actions as required. Collaboration with supply chain finance leads and HS2 commercial teams to improve Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) and cash flow data is essential.

Developing cashflow forecast reporting for the Department for Transport (DfT), supporting business planning and forecasting processes, and ensuring reliable data provision from cost management and commercial teams are key aspects of the role.

You will also facilitate system changes for budget management reporting, provide workforce actual costs and forecast information to inform programme cost estimates, and challenge budget holders to achieve workforce objectives and optimise resources.

HS2 Ltd is committed to promoting and embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all work and expects you to support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies, and procedures on EDI.

Experience
- Driving output-focused, activity-based budgets and forecasts
- Supporting the development of annual business plans and budget setting within Spending Review funding caps
- Operating in a complex environment, including infrastructure projects
- Delivering finance business support to programme teams and HS2 Ltd directorates

About you
- Strong communication skills with the ability to interpret and explain complex financial issues to non-financial colleagues and secure compliance with Managing Public Money
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to engage and develop consensus up to Executive level
- Influencing skills to impact key decisions
- Ability to critically review and challenge forecasts for affordability, value for money, timing, and programme delivery impact
- Proficient in ERP systems, data analytics software, and complex Excel models
- Ability to ensure effective financial controls within a major project
- Commitment to promoting and embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) aligned with HS2 values of Safety, Leadership, Integrity, and Respect

Qualifications
- Qualified Accountant with experience operating in a complex environment
- Knowledge of Government accounting requirements (DEL/AME funding) to ensure compliance within delegated authority
- Understanding of accounting systems and ability to develop and manage off-system analyses and records