Network Rail
Finance Business Partner

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Who We Are
Vacancy Details
Duration: Permanent
Salary: £43,588 - £53,167
Contact: If you require any support with your application, please click here for contact details.
Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.
We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Some Of Our Great Benefits
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
- Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- 75% subsidy on train tickets.
- Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
Plus more....
About The Role
What does the average day look like?
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
An average day involves partnering with finance and operational teams across Network Rail to support the delivery of efficiency targets. This includes analysing and consolidating data, managing efficiency reporting, providing assurance and challenge on submissions, and producing reports for key stakeholders.
The role also focuses on identifying opportunities for continuous improvement, sharing best practice, and supporting wider efficiency initiatives across Enhancements, OPEX, and Renewals programmes.
A Little Bit About The Team...
The Group Efficiencies team plays a vital role in helping Network Rail deliver value for money and demonstrate efficient use of public funding. As a small team of seven, they are responsible for managing efficiency reporting across the organisation, providing guidance and assurance on efficiency initiatives, and capturing and analysing reported savings.
The team works closely with stakeholders across Network Rail to share best practice, support continuous improvement, and help achieve key efficiency targets set out in the organisation's Delivery Plan.
Next Steps
CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 28th September, subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes.
We encourage you to review our Safety Vision, as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail
Click here for more information
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Your experience and skills
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a highly motivated and commercially minded finance professional with strong stakeholder management skills and a passion for driving efficiencies across large, complex organisations. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical, financial reporting and data manipulation skills, with strong Excel capabilities and experience translating complex financial information into clear business insights.


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You will be an effective communicator, confident in influencing senior stakeholders, and have a keen eye for detail with a focus on data quality, governance and assurance. Applicants should be qualified, or working towards qualification, with a recognised accounting body (CIMA/ACCA) or equivalent experience and bring solid experience in financial processes, budgeting, and business partnering. Experience with business analytics tools such as Power BI and an enthusiasm for continuous improvement are highly desirable, while rail industry experience is not essential.
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrate strong understanding of business needs and relevant application of accounting standards
- Membership (Or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA) or equivalent experience
- Expert knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining accounts and annual budget
- Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines
- Strong excel skills and use of data manipulation
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language
- Demonstrable effective influencing skills at a senior level
- Significant understanding of financial control and risk
- Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge
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