AMS PSR

On behalf of Network Rail, we are looking for a Finance Business Partner - Inside IR35 for a 3 month contract working on a Hybrid basis (2/3 days per week in Crawley office and remaining WFH)

Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain’s railway. From Crossrail – Europe’s largest civil engineering project – to investment in world-class stations and major programmes of electrification, we are involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures that this country has ever seen. We at Network Rail are dedicated to becoming one of Britain's best employers and believe this starts with placing the candidate at the heart of everything we do!

About the role:

Are you passionate about making a real impact through insightful financial guidance? Do you enjoy helping leaders understand their numbers so they can make confident, informed decisions? If you're ready to bring your expertise to a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

We're looking for a proactive and talented finance professional to work closely with our Supported Business leadership team. Reporting to the Senior Finance Business Partner, you will play a key role in providing professional finance and accounting advice, driving value, and ensuring strong financial governance across our function/route.

In this role, you'll be a trusted advisor—supporting senior leaders, shaping financial plans, and helping the business operate with clarity and confidence.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Finance Business Partner would be to:

• Lead on financial insight and support Guide senior budget holders through their period results and forecasts, helping them clearly understand financial impacts and supporting them to make informed decisions about their business area.
• Act as the function's accounting expert Provide advice on accounting practices, forecasts, results, accruals, transfers and adjustments—ensuring accounts remain accurate, reflective, and relevant.
• Champion strong governance Oversee governance across your cost centres, conducting deep dives and ensuring compliance with financial regulations to safeguard the business from risk.
• Deliver high quality reporting Produce accurate business review information and highlight significant issues or trends to enable effective, timely decision making.
• Influence and engage senior stakeholders Build productive relationships with leaders, helping them understand their financial position and using your expertise to guide performance improving initiatives.
• Lead on business planning and budgeting Create detailed, bottom up financial plans and budgets that support effective governance and add value for senior leaders.
• Identify and manage commercial risks Assess and advise on the financial suitability of new customers or suppliers, ensuring risks are understood and minimized.
• Oversee central accounting performance Manage the delivery of accounting services for your cost centre area, ensuring an efficient and effective service.
• Support investment and business case development Collate, analyse, and present financial recommendations for investment appraisals and business cases.
• Drive efficiencies and opportunities Model and analyse the cost base, identifying opportunities for efficiencies and supporting the team to meet performance targets.

Essential:

• Demonstrate strong understanding of business needs and relevant application of accounting standards
• Membership (Or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA)
• Expert knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining accounts and annual budget
• Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines
• Strong excel skills and use of data manipulation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language
• Demonstrable effective influencing skills at a senior level
• Significant understanding of financial control and risk
• Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge

Desirable:

• Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects
• Membership of a relevant accounting body
• Extensive experience of Oracle based systems
• Degree or equivalent qualification in finance and accounting or business management or experience

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Network Rail guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

Network Rail guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".