Finance Manager

ROLE PURPOSE To provide strong financial governance, insight, and leadership across an Operating Unit, ensuring accurate reporting and robust financial control. The role supports a diverse portfolio of major infrastructure projects (circa eight core projects) across transport and civil engineering sectors, while contributing to the wider Operating Unit finance leadership agenda.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Financial Leadership & Governance

• Lead and develop a project accounting team, embedding a safety‑first and high‑performance culture where finance is a value‑adding partner to project delivery teams
• Act as a key business partner to senior operational, commercial, and divisional stakeholders
• Apply strong commercial judgement and project scrutiny to drive sustainable project profitability
• Ensure consistent application of internal project reporting and review procedures, supporting training and continuous improvement

Project & Performance Management

• Review and challenge project financial performance at forecast, review, and performance meetings
• Provide clear insight into project balance sheets including cash, WIP, receivables, and payables, and forecast the impact of project changes on these KPIs
• Support strong project governance, controls, and compliance across the portfolio

Reporting & Forecasting

• Oversee the timely production of accurate, insightful monthly management accounts in line with internal and external accounting standards
• Lead and coordinate quarterly forecasting cycles, working closely with commercial and operational teams to produce high‑quality reporting packs
• Ensure transparent and compliant financial reporting aligned to accounting, tax, and regulatory requirements

Controls, Audit & Compliance

• Ensure financial processes and controls are consistently applied, identifying and implementing improvements where appropriate
• Manage interim and year‑end external audit processes
• Support client audit activities in collaboration with project teams
• Contribute to statutory reporting, internal audit, and project‑level financial reviews as required

Continuous Improvement & Technical Excellence

• Embed a continuous improvement mindset to drive efficiency, customer focus, and team engagement
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant accounting standards and regulatory changes, ensuring policies and procedures remain compliant

SUCCESS MEASURES

• High‑quality, accurate, and timely financial reporting
• Strong project financial performance supported by effective governance and control
• Positive feedback from senior stakeholders and project teams
• Well‑run, engaged, and high‑performing finance team
• Continuous improvements in financial processes and systems

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience in infrastructure, construction, utilities, or engineering‑led environments
• Strong background in project accounting and project finance
• Fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent preferred)
• Excellent understanding of financial and management accounting within a complex ERP environment
• ERP system experience essential (modern cloud‑based systems preferred)
• Highly analytical, detail‑focused, and commercially astute