Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by .
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!
At Network rail you will also have a clear development path with access to training and additional qualifications.
In joining Network Rail, you're not only joining an organisation with a vital role to play for the country, but also a team of more than 40,000 people, and a business dedicated to being one of Britain's best employers.
Network Rail Benefits - In addition to the above, you can enjoy a fantastic range of employee benefits, such as:
28 days annual leave + bank holidays
75% discount on rail leisure travel for you and your family
75% subsidised Season Ticket for work travel (includes Underground)
A range of pension options
Annual Performance Related Pay package
Flexible and agile working arrangements
Healthcare package
Discounts on shopping
Discounted Gym memberships and much more.
For the full range of our fantastic benefits click
Brief Description
We currently have two Finance Business Partner opportunities!
Role 1, Permanent - The Finance Business Partner role plays a key part in supporting Business Partners with decision-making, providing financial insight, and helping to deliver value across our Property and Support functions. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to both finance and the wider business at an exciting time for the Rail Industry as we move towards Great British Rail, with clear pathways for professional growth and progression.
Role 2, 6 month secondment/ FTC - The Finance Business Partner within Regional Reporting team is responsible for producing and maintaining multi-period financial reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance. The role includes forecasting for regional cost centres and providing support across Opex, income, and Capex. Working closely with stakeholders, you will be responsible for the creation of templates for our quarterly forecasts, periodic exec reports and other assurance activities. The role provides a great opportunity to develop a wider understanding of the region which will be valuable when progressing into GBR.
About the role (External)
Key Accountabilities -
1. Lead and provide financial advice and guidance to senior budget holders in understanding the impact of the period results and forecasts against budges so they can understand their business better.
2. Be the expert in the function on accounting practices and advise on financial results and forecasts for budget holders, including preparing period accruals, transfers and adjustments to validate accounts are reflective, relevant.
3. Manage corporate governance throughout the cost centres they manage, conducting deep dives and reviewing compliance with financial regulations to protect the business from legal or negative consequences.
4. Deliver expert and accurate business review information and reporting, and highlight any significant issues with financial and other business results to enable informed decision making by the business area.
5. Engage and influence senior members of the team to help them understand their financial position and use professional expertise to guide in initiatives to improve business performance
6. Build bottom up, detailed plans to manage and develop the production of business plans and budgets to enable good corporate governance and value add analysis for senior leaders
7. Identify and proactively manage commercial risks, including the financial suitability of new customers or suppliers reducing the potential risk impact on the business area and influencing decision makers.
8. Manage the performance of central accounting functions to deliver for the cost centre area to enable an efficiently and effective accounting service.
9. Collate, investigate and make recommendation for investment appraisals and business case analysis to aid business decisions.
10. Model and analyse cost base and identify and drive opportunities and efficiencies to achieve area 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 note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.
How to apply (External)
Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or other irrelevant factor.
We are a employer! We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
We are here to support you through every step of the recruitment process and to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. If you require any adjustments or modifications please contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at mark.holt@networkrail.co.uk. You can also visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.
We positively embrace flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work with their family and home life.
Network Rail Benefits -
Network Rail is required to comply with UK Government standards when carrying out pre-employment checks for all new starters; this includes a basic criminal record check. In addition to the basic criminal record check, in accordance with the UK Government we are also required to verify your identity, right to work in the UK and previous three years employment history.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. . Please ensure you have the appropriate Right to Work status when applying for this role."
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should be able to demonstrate your to safety and awareness of our .
Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent including a choice of contributory pension schemes, a generous annual leave package, a bonus scheme and an annual 75% subsidy on season tickets costing up to 3,333 (to a maximum amount of 2,500). You will also be entitled to 28 days annual leave
Salary: 43,588 to 51,719 per annum.
*Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*
***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****
Please note, there are 2 roles available. X1 permanent role & X1 6 FTC secondment opportunity.
Closing date 25th November 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.

Skills Required