Finance Business Partner

Finance Business Partner- Science, Fundraising and Corporate Services

London

£45,353 per annum 

About Us:

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a leading international conservation, science and education charity. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries around the world and through education and engagement at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

Main Duties:

As part of the Finance Business Partnering team, this visible, high profile role will involve working directly with senior stakeholders across the business specifically within the Science, Fundraising and Corporate Services departments. Utilising commercial acumen and various analytics to help drive change, the role will provide detailed insight on the management of financial resources, revenue growth, and long term business planning, in line with department business models supporting ZSL’s vision and mission.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Deliver significant improvement in financial reporting on business performance, improving understanding of income and expenditure and promote cost discipline and transparency.
• Assisting with the preparation, collation and submission of science grant audits which arise.
• Support the provision of financial information and analysis, understanding the key drivers of the business both current and proposed to facilitate efficient management of the operations and income growth
• Provide appropriate P&L analysis and insight along with linkage to business strategies and plans.
• Provision of strategic information and business analysis; production of budgets, re-forecasts and monthly management accounts.
• Provide excellent business partnership and customer service to all managers.

Person Specification:

The successful candidate will ideally:

• Be a qualified accountant (either: ACA, ACCA or CIMA) and have proven finance business partnering experience working within a large complex organisation, preferably within the higher education sector.
• Have a strong understanding of university or higher education funding structures and grant requirements.
• Have proven experience in grant reporting and grant audits.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to present financial information in an engaging manner to deliver insights on the financial performance and sound advice.
• Have gravitas to engage proactively with senior stakeholders and robustly challenge decision making in an effort to drive continuous improvement in business performance whilst maintaining positive relationships.
• Have excellent communication and organisation skills with the ability to multi-task.

Please note: This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent position reporting to the Finance Business Partner Manager. The post will be based at ZSL’s offices in Regents Park. Having a "can do attitude", solution-focused approach and the ability to make objective decisions under pressure will make you a success in this role.

What's on Offer:

This role offers a competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday, stakeholder pension where the employer minimum contribution is 6%, complimentary zoo tickets and more!

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) Sunday 3^rd September 2017.