Manager - Finance Projects

Who are we?

FirstGroup plc is a FTSE 250 company and leading transport operator in the UK and North America. During the last year around 2 billion passengers relied on us to get to work, to school or college, to visit family and friends and much more. Each day every one of our 100,000 employees works hard to deliver vitally important services for our customers.

We are one of the UK's most experienced rail operators, carrying around 140m passengers across our four franchises and our open access operation.

What is the role?

The FRH Finance Projects team is a crucial enabler across all strategic projects within First Rail.  The Manager-Finance Projects will support the Head of Finance Projects in working with senior leaders and project owners and managers across First Rail to ensure that the strategy is delivered, business plans are implemented, business cases for projects are robust, benefits are delivered, and the return on investment and spend are closely monitored and are well understood by all key stakeholders.

What are the key accountabilities?

• Supports the Director of Finance Projects and the wider Finance Leadership Team (FLT) in developing and implementing the best-in-class Finance strategy and policies across First Rail
• Supports the Director of Finance Projects in assisting various First Rail teams and First Rail entities on key finance projects such as new bids, large capital procurements, etc.
• Support the Group entities in delivering their internal as well as external (where applicable) forecasting and budgeting plans and annual business plans
• Embeds profitability and excellent commercial judgement in business decision making within the First Rail projects
• Ensures control, governance and compliance requirements are met and owns the project level Income Statement and Balance Sheet in line with Group policies
• Instils a sense of operational excellence and understanding of the competitive environment across the Finance teams within divisional area
• Maximises financial and business performance (including efficiencies delivery) through high quality analysis of financial plans, management information and performance data

What are we looking for?

• Educated to degree standard or equivalent
• MBA or Qualified accountant (i.e. CIMA/ ACA /ACCA) or equivalent

Job specific knowledge and skills

• Financial analysis, valuation
• Financial Modelling
• Business case analysis, development and assurance
• Business planning
• Professional accounting principles and standards
• Management reporting and external reporting and ad-hoc communication
• Commercial acumen
• Stakeholder management

Relevant experience

• Experience in building effective partnerships across all levels of the organisation and stakeholder management
• Experience in building and/or reviewing complex integrated financial models
• Experience in reviewing and/or drafting commercial contracts, especially those between the Government and the private sector
• Experience of working with the DfT/Government Departments on infrastructure/capital projects would be useful but is not essential
• Experience within Rail or the wider transport sector would be useful but is not essential

What you'll get in return

• Minimum of 10% contribution to your Pension (5% employer and 5% employee)
• Private Healthcare Insurance
• 25 days Holiday plus National Bank Holidays
• Travel Offers for Bus and Rail *
• Shopping Discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more
• Buy as You Earn – allows you to buy shares each month, with 2 free ‘matching' shares for each 3 shares you buy. You can vary the amount you save or stop it at any time. You need to participate in the scheme for at least 3 years to receive the matching shares *
• Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider
• Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a Charity of your Choice

*after 6 months of employment

FirstGroup plc welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organisation because we believe that diversity brings benefits for our customers, communities and our people. Valuing our differences and drawing on our collective knowledge and experience helps us develop new services, open up new markets and broaden our customer.