West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) is working with Department for Transport (DfT) and HS2 Ltd to design, develop and put in place the new world-class, high-speed services that will run on HS2.  

This is an exciting opportunity to join the WCPD Finance & Contracts team as Transition Finance Business Partner.

The purpose of the job is to develop and oversee the financial elements of the Shadow Operator activities which will lead to the successful transition and launch of integrated high speed and conventional rail services for the West Coast Partnership franchise. This role combines the financial oversight duties of an accounting professional with the planning, coordination and delivery discipline of a project manager.

Deliverables include:

• Financial planning & analysis
• Budget design and management
• Financial reporting
• Build and maintain relationships with WCPD colleagues acting as the key financial business partner for the Transition Programme.

The key accountabilities of the role are:

• Budgeting, forecasting and scenario cost modelling for the Transition Programme
• Direct financial support, partnering and management for Functional Leads, with the ability to challenge and identify business risks and opportunities
• Programme cost management, variance analysis and reporting
• Financial support for scoping process
• Preparation of supporting documents for Change / Escrow updates
• Create and maintain internal models
• Provide timely periodic information to the WCPD Financial Planning Manager to ensure accuracy of periodic financials
• Enforce strategy compliance and continuous improvement of processes throughout the Programme
• Support the Heads of Finance & Commercial Management and Financial Planning & Performance to finalise budgeting and forecast outputs as necessary
• Ad hoc support for Finance & Contracts Leadership team
• To ensure the safety of yourself, others and the railway are at the forefront of everything we do.

The role is based in London (338 Euston Road) and with the requirement for some travel on our network at times. The expectation will be a minimum of 3 days per week in the office. 

Salary

Competitive package with great benefits (depending on skills & experience).

West Coast Partnership Development

West Coast Partnership comprises two distinct parts – Avanti West Coast and West Coast Partnership Development. Avanti West Coast runs the InterCity West Coast train services from London to north England, north Wales and Scotland. 

Our work in WCPD is focused on developing plans for what the new high-speed services will look like (customer experience), how they will work (railway operations) and how we will start running new services and trains (mobilisation). Over the next 10 years we will develop and implement a programme (HS2 Ltd are building the new railway and associated infrastructure).

Your application

At WCPD, we value the differences that make each of us outstanding! We recognise the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation. 

Everyone who joins us becomes part of our close-knit team. We're committed to ensuring that we are expansive and a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are encouraged, recognised, accepted and put to good use!