Canary Wharf Group
Senior Finance Business Partner
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Department: Accounts
Company: Canary Wharf Limited
Reporting to: Associate Director - Commercial Finance
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Finance Business Partner to lead the budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning of payroll (and associated people costs) across a complex group structure. This is a highly visible role, partnering with the Executive Team, Managing Directors, and departmental Directors across the business to provide robust financial insight, challenge assumptions, and support strategic decision-making.
The successful candidate will take ownership of payroll and other people costs forecasting and complex cost allocations across multiple business units, ensuring financial accuracy while influencing senior stakeholders. This role requires someone who is confident operating at executive level, highly analytical, and able to manage sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion.
Salary: £80-85K DOE
Work Arrangement: 4 days office / 1 WFH
Main Responsibilities
- Own the budgeting and forecasting (including multi-year business plan) of all people-related expenditure, including payroll, long-term incentive plan, training, people and development, employee benefits, and other associated people costs.
- Produce accurate quarterly forecasts, identifying risks, opportunities, and key financial drivers.
- Manage and continually improve complex payroll cost allocation methodologies across multiple entities, departments, and cost centres.
- Partner with the Executive Team, Managing Directors, and departmental Directors to challenge assumptions, influence decision-making, and provide commercially focused financial advice.
- Analyse variances and provide clear commentary on financial performance against budget and forecast each quarter.
- Work closely with People and Development, Payroll, and Operational teams to ensure headcount movements, restructures, pay reviews, and organisational changes are accurately reflected in the business plan and forecast.
- Liaise with the Financial Accounts team to post any adjustments in Yardi including but not limited to PO accruals, recharges, segment, and nominal code changes.
- Identify opportunities to improve forecasting accuracy, reporting processes, and financial controls.
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of payroll and employee-related financial data.
- Prepare high-quality reports and presentations for senior leadership and executive meetings as well as quarterly board reports.
- Undertake other strategic finance, workforce, or business transformation projects as required, acting as the finance lead to ensure robust financial governance, insightful analysis, and successful delivery of business objectives.
- Support the G&A Finance Business Partner team, including providing cover and assistance as required, ensuring continuity of financial planning, reporting, and business partnering activities.
- Drive continuous improvement through automation and process enhancement.
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Person Specification
- Qualified accountant (or equivalent experience) with several years experience.
- Experience in a business partnering role within a complex, multi-site, or multi-entity organisation is advantageous.
- Strong attention to detail ensuring figures/analysis produced are correct, underlying workbooks are neat and easy to follow, and analysis is written in a clear, very concise manner.
- Very organised with exceptional time management skills. Able to work under pressure, prioritising, and meet competing deadlines.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge Executive, MD, and Director-level stakeholders (both finance and non-finance).
- Proven experience managing payroll, headcount, and wider people-related budgets, including training and professional development.
- Experience managing complex cost allocation models.
- Ability to handle highly confidential payroll and employee information with professionalism and discretion.
- Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including use of Pivot tables.
- Experience of Yardi and/or Anaplan is desirable but not essential.
Health, Safety, and Welfare Responsibilities
All staff are required to fulfil their legal duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts and omissions, and to follow all guidance and instructions given in this respect. Further details regarding Health & Safety responsibilities are set out in the Health & Safety Policy in the Administrative Rules and Procedures, and the Health, Safety & Welfare Manual.
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Responsibilities
Recognising the centrality of ESG principles within our organisation, we have developed a comprehensive ESG Strategy. It is imperative that all staff members understand and adopt this strategy into their respective roles. This includes adhering to environmental regulations, minimising waste, supporting nature within our urban environment, and facilitating positive change for those in need within our community and utilising our volunteering.
Quality Management Responsibilities
In line with the latest ISO 9001 requirements and our dedication to quality management, all staff are mandated to comply with system requirements as detailed within the Company Quality Manual & Policies. Additionally, it's vital to ensure the effective implementation of all Procedures, Plans, and Forms within our Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) to meet the ISO 9001: Quality Management Standard.
Company Values
- Commit to Excellence: Act with integrity and deliver high performance.
- Put our customers at the heart of what we do: Resolve issues by providing high quality solutions.
- Foster Collaboration: Find opportunities to collaborate with others across the business to achieve shared goals. Encourage inclusive networks and treat others with respect and fairness. Use knowledge to work effectively with suppliers / contractors to meet shared goals.
- Encourage Engagement: Confident in making decisions appropriate to the role. Learn from mistakes and listen to constructive feedback to improve performance. Prioritise safety and actively support community, wellbeing, and sustainability programmes.
- Take Ownership: Take pride in delivering high quality service which exceeds expectations. Committed to opportunities for self-development. Take responsibility for my own performance and look for ways to improve.
- Embrace Innovation: Embrace change and innovation. Proactively suggest ways to improve our business and encourage others to share ideas. See new challenges as opportunities to deliver effective change.
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What We Offer
Diversity and Inclusion
We recognise the importance of embracing diverse experience, skills, and perspectives at all levels and operating in an inclusive working environment, in order for everyone to reach their full potential. We also recognise that it makes business sense, since being an inclusive employer leads to better business performance and higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills and are committed to fostering a culture whereby everyone can reach their full potential.
Flexible Working
As an inclusive employer, we recognise the positive impact flexible working can have on an individual, their wellbeing, engagement, and productivity. Therefore, we are open to consider flexible working arrangements, both temporary or permanent.
Learning and Development
At Canary Wharf Group, our employees receive a wide range of support to help improve their skills and achieve their career goals. We offer development opportunities through classroom and e-learning training, mentoring, cross department experience, and on the job learning. We heavily invest in our staff attaining accreditations to develop existing and new skills, support chartered status, sponsorships, and provide further educational opportunities which are job and business related. We never stand still and continually invest in developing skills and knowledge to ensure individual and company growth.
Other Benefits
We are committed to building a safe, happy, and healthy community for our employees and we offer a comprehensive range of benefits, all designed with our employees and their wellbeing in mind. From generous pension and insurance plans, to health benefits, subsidised gym membership, store discounts, and family leave, our benefits package allows our employees to choose the benefits that suit them and their individual needs.
If you are interested in joining our highly professional and skilled team for our next exciting phase of development, please complete the form on this page to apply online.
Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to appoint at any point.
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