Head of Business Planning

Job Introduction

We are seeking a Head of Business Planning to join our team based from our Head Office in London Bridge (Hybrid working).

Your role will be to lead all financial aspects of Southeastern’s business planning, quarterly forecasting and project appraisals and ensuring compliance with all related deadlines.

You will actively contribute to business management, decision making and project monitoring through providing accurate, timely and relevant financial information.

Role Responsibility

You will have a number of key responsibilities in this role, that include but are not limited to:

• Building good working relationships with Directors, Project Managers and other staff to develop high quality, timely forecasts and projecting financial information and analysis
• Identifying key risks and opportunities through a sound understanding of the financial profile of the business/projects and key drivers of business value, making recommendations to maximise value and mitigating key risks within these constraints.
• Responsibility via a small team for all financial aspects of the Annual Business Planning (ABP) including: financial modelling, initiative development, business challenges, and internal and external reporting
• Leading the development and reporting of quarterly and rolling financial forecasts
• Working with the Project Managers and Directors to ensure funds for budgeted activities and projects are approved and projects are delivered as planned
• Gaining detailed knowledge of relevant business activities and cost drivers to continually develop clear, concise, and relevant financial forecasts and project reporting
• Taking Business Plans and other key deliverables through the highest levels of governance, including presenting to SET’s Board and the Department for Transport
• Ensuring financial forecasts are complete and accurate and reflect underlying business activities and objectives
• Liaising closely with the Financial Business Partner and Financial Accounting teams to ensure reliability, accuracy and timeliness of financial information

The Ideal Candidate

To be considered for this role, you will need to demonstrate the below in your application:

• Degree qualification or equivalent, ideally within a numerate discipline.
• Substantial experience in a commercial environment including time spent in an analytical or commercial finance role.
• Commercial astuteness with demonstrable understanding of financial aspects of a UK rail or related business.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to command respect at all levels of the organisation and key external stakeholders.
• Experience of business planning, budgeting and forecasting at an operating company level.
• Ability to work efficiently, effectively and collaboratively as part of a team, contributing to a culture of continuous business improvement.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both written and oral) at all levels and explain financial issues to a non-financial audience.
• Excellent analytical skills, an understanding of financial modelling and the ability to manage model updates.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Qualification or part qualification in a recognised accountancy qualification (CIMA, ACA, ACCA) or equivalent (desirable but not essential).
• Have proficient IT skills with Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or equivalent.

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer an comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern is one of the busiest commuter rail companies in the UK running more than 2,000 trains, and carrying nearly 600,000 passengers every day between London, Kent and East Sussex.

Just over 4,700 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We are also proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SE Trains Limited