Finance Business Partner

Salary

Replace existing role after departure - £55k-£60k in budget

Stagecoach’s absolute focus remains on safety and operational excellence, which underpin our delivery of high quality public transport services. Providing good value travel and investing in our people, vehicle fleet and new technology is central to enhancing our customers’ experience. We also continue to take steps to improve the efficiency of our operations and maintain close control of costs. We are pursuing a package of commercial and technology-led initiatives to drive growth and meet the evolving demand for transport linked to changes in working, social, and retail patterns. While we recognise the competitive challenges in some of our markets in the UK, we are confident that public transport will be central to delivering Government priorities to grow the economy, connect people and communities, reduce road congestion and improve air quality and Stagecoach is well placed to benefit from these opportunities.

You will join a privately owned company providing bus services throughout the UK. Stagecoach London operates from 13 sites running bus services carrying around 300 million passengers per annum. Our team of 5,000 staff helps keep London moving with our fleet of over 1,300 buses traveling over 40 million miles per annum.

As part of London Finance Team you will be supported by a Shared Service Centre (based in Stockport) fulfilling various functions including financial and management accounting services, and treasury. The work is varied and challenging within a very interesting and dynamic environment; Stagecoach London are successfully delivering early key milestones of our Turn Around Plan for the past 2 years, leading the company back to a profitable and growing position.

This role will be based at our London HQ in Ash Grove Bus Depot in Hackney, London, with the opportunity to work and interact with multiple in-house departments (Operations, Engineering, Commercial, and Performance Team) across our 13 Bus Depots. Hybrid working can be accommodated subject to operational requirements.

Role Overview

We are seeking a commercially astute Finance Business Partner to join our Finance team. This is a pivotal role, will focus on providing financial analysis and reporting to support quality decisions making across operations, drivers costs and better allocation of resources to improve the company profitability.

The role will lead you to work closely with operational teams to translate financial data into actionable insights, support decision-making, and drive business performance by managing budgets throughout period end. Throughout the year, you will also be working in close collaboration with our Shared Service Centre and the wider Finance Team to build / consolidate the budgets and forecasts, with a special focus on Operations / Drivers costs.

Benefiting from the proximity of the role with Operations, you will also help build bridges between Operations, Training School, & Safety Teams. The improvement of our Drivers recruitment & retention are crucial to the business, ensuring the wider business delivers the services for the public.

Key Responsibilities

• Full ownership of the company’s Driver’s cost and Operational Costs with clear understanding of the risks / opportunities.
• Leading Financial Business Partner with our Operations Director, Head of Human Resources, and Training School management.
• Evaluate new business opportunities throughout your ad-hoc analysis and strong of proposition when it come to identifying opportunities of cost control for Drivers / Operational areas.
• Monitor and report on KPIs related to Drivers / Operation / Safety and Training School
• Build strong working relationships with General Managers and Operation Managers throughout period end and partnering missions
• Driver actionable insights from a wealth of data ensuring a single source of truth.
• Period-end close process and Drivers Costs / Operational costs variance analysis with support of Shared Service Centre (Management Accountant)
• Working closely with the wider finance Team to deliver the budgeting / forecasting costs for Drivers and Operational costs.
• Leading on Drivers / Operational costs optimization as well as bridging between Finance and Operations department.
• Supporting the Head of Finance with build a strong and comprehensive cost base for Drivers / Operations that will be feed into Tendering processes.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a Commercial Finance, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), or Business Partnering role.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and ability to see the “big picture.”
• Experience working within the transport, logistics, or other sectors with large volumes of shift workers.
• Strong communication/soft skills with the ability to present complex financial data in a clear and concise manner.
• Experience using finance and data tools (SAP, Oracle, Tableau) is advantageous.
• A proactive, self-starting approach with the confidence to challenge and influence decision-makers.

Qualifications

• Part-qualified or qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) or equivalent commercial finance qualification.
• A degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related discipline is preferred.

Why Join Us?

• Work for one of London’s most recognised and respected transport operators.
• Be at the heart of commercial decision-making in a business that directly impacts millions of lives and where your work will be directly impacting the business with measurable results.
• Great opportunities for progression and personal development.
• Competitive salary + benefits package, including free TfL travel*

Stagecoach is proudly an inclusive employer, striving towards a culture whereby everyone can be themselves and where all the differences our people bring are truly revered. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neuro-diversity, sexual orientation or age.

* subject to criteria and TfL conditions

Stagecoach is proudly an inclusive employer, striving for a culture where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences people bring are truly appreciated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, or age.

Location:

Stagecoach London Head Office Stephenson Street, Canning Town London E16 4SA