Job Description

We're looking for a sharp, commercially-minded Finance Business Partner to step into a high-impact position supporting our critical Water Operations team.

Reporting to the Financial Performance Manager, you won't just report the numbers--you'll use them to shape our strategy and influence executive decisions.

This pivotal role requires you to act as the strategic financial conscience for the Operational Senior Management team, providing robust, clear, and actionable financial information, advice, and guidance.

Crucially, you will be both responsible and accountable for identifying opportunities to drive operational efficiency and mitigate financial risk across all our water operations.

You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior operations managers and diverse cross-functional teams. Your professional advice will lead the way in delivering financial efficiencies through strategic initiatives and new, innovative ways of working, ensuring we manage our costs effectively and improve efficiency within a complex, evolving, and essential industry.

If you thrive on translating financial data into operational excellence and are ready to be a true business influencer, we want to hear from you!

Main Responsibilities

Lead strategic financial planning, budgeting and forecasting processes to align with corporate objectives, internal controls, and compliance with all regulatory standards. Provide strategic financial analysis with commentary insights to influence key business decisions, enhance operational efficiency, and optimise performance across the organisation. Define, track and analyse financial key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics, supporting insights that drive accountability and continuous improvement. Drive value creation by providing expert financial and commercial support during contract negotiations and the execution of commercial strategies. Conduct rigorous feasibility studies to evaluate and inform the adoption of new finance and operational processes, ensuring they deliver measurable returns. Lead and champion key business transformation initiatives, including digital and automation projects, to enhance reporting capabilities and operational efficiency. Act as a trusted financial advisor to senior management and cross-functional teams, translating complex financial data into actionable business insights. Ensure the integrity of financial data and systems by maintaining a robust internal controls framework and ensuring strict compliance with all regulatory and accounting standards. Proactively collaborate with internal and external auditors to manage and mitigate financial risks, ensuring transparency and accuracy in all financial reporting. Develop and help motivate a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and professional growth. Mentor and support junior members of the management accounting team, empowering them to adapt existing processes to optimise and drive productive business discussions within the senior management team. Elevate the organisation's financial acumen by designing and delivering targeted training programs.

You'll Need:

Qualifications/Skills/Experience

Fully qualified accounting qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA). The ability to review complex financial data, conduct in-depth variance analysis, and leverage expertise in tools like Workday Finance and advanced Excel. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to present complex financial information with authority and confidence. Proven ability to build strong relationships, influence key stakeholders, and negotiate effectively without direct authority, acting as a trusted advisor to the business. Championing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to help identify and implement process improvements that drive efficiency and reduce waste. The proven ability to support the delivery of complex projects, including finance transformation, process improvement initiatives, and system implementations, by driving change and managing cross-functional teams. Extensive and demonstrably successful experience in a strategic finance business partner role, driving key business decisions and influencing return on investment outcomes. Expertise in leading and managing end-to-end financial planning cycles, including long-range strategic planning, annual budgeting, and rolling forecasts. Proven experience of leading and delivering cross-functional projects to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Proven ability to manage, develop, and inspire a team of finance professionals and foster a high-performance culture.
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We want to be the water company people want to be supplied by and want to work for.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That's why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package:

Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution. 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service. Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave. Paid volunteering days. Cycle to work scheme. Health cash plan. Life assurance. Wellbeing related benefits.
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What can you expect from your recruitment?

To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our career's website. It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.
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If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, apply now!

South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.

Compensation package:

60,000 - 65,000 p.a. (dependent on experience)

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 60,000.00-65,000.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Snodland ME6 5AH