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