Finance Unit Lead

Buro Happold group.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - GBP 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in finance is seeking a Finance Unit Lead to join their team in the UK. This pivotal role involves leading financial and project accounting, managing a small team, and collaborating with senior stakeholders. Responsibilities include producing management accounts, implementing automation tools, and providing financial analysis to drive performance. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and numerous benefits, including professional development opportunities and wellness programs.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Discretionary bonus

Generous company pension scheme

Flexible benefits package

Qualifications

• Leverage automation and advanced analytics to optimize finance operations.
• Experience in project accounting and decision support for senior leaders.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead production of management accounts and reporting.
• Implement digital solutions to improve financial control.
• Provide support to Unit leaders in financial decisions.

Skills

Commercially focused accounting

Project accounting

Senior leadership reporting

Digital automation platforms

Advanced analytics

Excel skills

Education

Qualified CIMA, ACCA, or ACA

Tools

Agresso

Deltek Vantage Point

Job description

Overview

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - London

Job Reference burohappold/TP/145984/1552

Shape the future of finance at a company where innovation meets purpose – become our next Finance Unit Lead.

This person can be based in our Bath or London office on a hybrid working model.

Are you a commercially focused accountant with a passion for project and management accounting? Do you thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy partnering with senior stakeholders to drive financial performance? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you.

About The Role

• We’re looking for a Finance Unit Lead to join our UK Finance team in Bath. This is a pivotal role, offering the chance to lead financial and project accounting for our Specialist Consulting Unit, while managing a small, high-performing finance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end production of management accounts and ensure accurate reporting of project revenue and costs.
• Proven ability to implement and use digital automation platforms and AI-enabled finance tools (e.g., advanced analytics, workflow automation, predictive modelling) to improve efficiency and control.
• Deliver budgets and quarterly forecasts and prepare monthly reporting packs.
• Consolidate discipline results and present financial analysis and KPIs at monthly leadership meetings.
• Provide financial and commercial decision support to Unit leaders.
• Collaborate with the Project Operations Team and review project portfolios with Project Partners and Directors.
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with finance policies and procedures.

What We Are Looking For

• An individual that leads with a digital-first mindset, leveraging automation, advanced analytics and AI technologies to optimise finance operations and embed a culture of continuous innovation.
• Proactive, confident communicator with strong attention to detail.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience maintaining financial systems.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to build strong relationships across teams.
• Proven experience in project accounting and senior leadership reporting.
• Background in technical accounting and financial decision support.
• Experience in engineering or construction sectors is a plus.
• Familiarity with Agresso or Deltek Vantage Point would be advantageous.
• Qualified or exams-qualified CIMA, ACCA, or ACA.

Why Join Buro Happold?

At Buro Happold, we believe in creating a better, more sustainable world. You’ll be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence. We offer a supportive environment where your contributions make a real difference.

What we offer you

Bring your knowledge and expertise to one of the world's most respected consultancies.

• Hybrid working arrangements
• Discretionary bonus
• Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements
• Generous company pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
• Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts
• Enhanced parenthood leave policies
• A strong commitment to continuous development. Whatever stage in your career, we have a learning and development programme that will enable and empower you
• Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
• A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities
• An opportunity to support your local community and those in society that are most in need, wherever they are located in the world through our ShareOur Skills (SOS) programme
• A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring
• An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won't be far from exceptional.

Apply now and be where exceptional is everywhere.

A place for everyone

Technology is the beating heart of our work and intrinsic to our culture. We innovate. We think smart. We use digital solutions to constantly push forward. Employees choose to join Buro Happold because technology enables them to ‘be their best self’, multiplied but never replaced. This is how we are spearheading the digital transformation of the built environment. We are therefore looking for candidates with a digital mindset who embrace new technologies with ease and enthusiasm.

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.