Job Description

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Location

Milton Keynes, GB#

Department Name

ET RS Operational Finance (618771) G1#

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter



If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

We offer excellent benefits, including:

Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.


? Defined benefit pension scheme.


75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.


Up to 75% off leisure travel for you and your family (subject to terms and conditions)


? Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.


Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.


Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.


? Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.


? Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.


We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments


Plus more
..

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Brief Description

Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway. See the diagram for a breakdown of our services.


You'll be joining the Route Services Operational Finance team, which is part of the corporate structure known as Finance and Business Support. Your role involves supporting the function to deliver services that are vital to the running of the railway, deliver the provision of services agreed by the routes to allow them to benefit from economies of scale and the optimisation of our critical resources.


We offer business partnering insight, guidance and financial support to 6 primary functions; Business Services, Digital and Data Technology Services, Commercial and Procurement, Supply Chain Operations, and Engineering Services, along with the Routes and Regions.











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About the role (External)

About the roleWhat will you be doing?Critically review and provide advice and guidance on periodic financial results and forecasts to Identify and monitor risks, opportunities and efficiencies to minimise the financial impact on the business area.Provide robust professional recommendations and financial guidance on accounting guidelines and standards to enable the business to be financially and legally compliant.Provide technical and professional oversight of the periodic accounts, relevant analysis and preparation of business plans and budgets to enable the business to make effective decisions.Develop, understand and influence the cost and income drivers relevant to the business area to deliver the yearly business plan and manage to the overall funding.Influence, coach and challenge senior budget holders in understanding the impact of their period results and forecasts against budgets in order to manage their business more effectively and manage within budgeting limits.Proactively challenge budget holders plans and budget submissions to understand the overall plan, providing advice and new initiatives to save costs and be more efficient as an organisation.Lead in budget holder key meetings on financial performance to provide professional financial advice and guidance to drive business decisions, minimise risk and deliver good corporate governance.Develop, drive and implement investment decisions and new business activities, working collaboratively with senior leaders to explore new opportunities and drive business performance.Meet the essential criteria/ Apply today to join our team!EssentialMembership (or working towards membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW) or equivalent experienceExcellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills all levels. This should include Customers; 3rd party representatives, other business & functional leaders and key support personnel.Successful relevant experience working in a complex financial environment including demonstrable experience in managing business risks, professional financial control and forward planning.Demonstrable record of budget management, governance and ability to understand and interpret commercial and financial landscapes (budgets, forecasts, actual status).Significant experience in managing ambiguity in a financial environment with strong evaluation and decision-making skills.Excellent technical Financial and Accounting knowledge and application of that knowledge in a complex and commercial environment.Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, for example accounting and finance, business management or equivalent demonstrable experience in financeDesirableFull membership of relevant post graduate professional body (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW)Experience of Oracle based systemsSubstantial experience within multiple finance disciplinesKnowledge and technical expertise of Government accounting and relevant financial governanceUnderstanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.#

How to apply (External)

Vacancy type:

Permanent 35 hours per week, Hybrid working of 3 days in the office.

Location:

The Quadrant Milton Keynes

Closing date:

2nd December 2025

Interviews from:

8th December 2025

Band & Salary:

Band 3C 55,596 - 65,966

We are committed to a diverse workplace enriched with representation from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and skills. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where difference is embraced, and individuals can thrive. We recognise that the success of the team is dependent on a multi-cultural, multi-disciplined group of individuals, aligned to deliver successful solutions.

At Network Rail, we have several employee networks to reflect our diverse population and help to raise issues to the wider workforce and support their membership and support our Everybody Matters strategy, led by our central Diversity & Inclusion team. In IT Services, we have a group of Diversity & Inclusion Champions who take part and lead on many activities, to drive through more initiatives to support an inclusive environment for all its people and promote a professional and positive working environment. For more information on D&I at Network Rail, please follow this link

Do you consider yourself to have a protected characteristic? If so and you require any additional support with your application, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcer who will happily assist - mark.powell4@networkrail.co.uk