Finance Business Partner

Roles & Responsibilities

We’re a place that makes magic. Magic that gives millions of people fun, thrills and memorable experiences. We’re the thinkers, dreamers, doers and achievers whose job it is to create and deliver world-class new attractions, hotels and major investment projects, as well as manage the extensive real estate assets of one of the most exciting companies in the world.

We are a diverse team of highly engaged and trusted business partners, who add value to the delivery of Merlin Magic Making (MMM) projects through both robust cost and risk management, and bringing innovative solutions to maximise value for money for Merlin and our guests. The result is a successful delivery of major capital projects to our internal clients across APAC, Europe and UK.We are currently recruiting for a Finance Business Partner - Capital Projects to join our MMM Developments Finance team. This role is permanent, and can be based at our Poole HQ or Basingstoke hub, with an element of hybrid working for those looking for more flexibility.The Role…Reporting into the Senior Finance Business Partner, you will be the Finance Business Partner to Global Project Delivery team; delivering robust budgets, track and report spend/contingency movements as well as manage risks and opportunities. Primary responsibilities include:

• Supporting Project Delivery in optimising project costs both during the planning and costing phase and during build, ensuring cost assumptions and the costing and tendering process is adequately challenged
• Design and delivery of financial and non-financial analysis and insight to support with key budget, timetable and scope decisions
• Ensure compliance with MMM and Group policy, process and controls. Own the financial due diligence on suppliers
• Coordinate input from broader project stakeholder group on assumptions that impact project capital costs
• Supporting the Project Director and Managers in optimising project costs both during the planning and costing phase and during build, ensuring cost assumptions and the costing and tendering process is adequately challenged
• Ensure a comprehensive and timely project close and handover to our internal clients

Qualifications & Experience

• Part or fully qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA)
• Excellent communicator with proven experience in influencing and challenging senior stakeholders to achieve successful collaborative outcomes
• Demonstrable skills of managing multiple workstreams, fantastic prioritisation enabling tight deadlines to be met in a fast-paced high growth environment
• An innovative quick thinker with strong analytical skills. Able to see the big picture but equally to be thorough and give sufficient attention to detail
• Ideally someone who is a natural catalyst for change and continuous improvement
• Advanced Excel skills and aptitude for learning systems quickly
• Constructions or projects experience an advantage
• Open to occasional domestic or international travel to attractions

Benefits

We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here). Benefits include Study Support, Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 25 days’ holiday and, of course, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, as well as 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO.

If you have any questions or if you require any assistance, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at Recruitment@Merlinentertainments.biz and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.