Commercial Finance Analyst / Business Partner (Power BI)

Job Introduction

Sodexo UK & Ireland are about to embark on an exciting project to deploy an end to end labour management solution to deliver more efficient ways of working within the workplace as well as providing managers with useful analytical data. This is a prestigious programme and one of the largest currently within the region.

To enable us to deliver this solution we are looking for a Commercial Finance Analyst / Business Partner who is able to transition with the project through to BAU activity. Working concurrently with the IS&T (Information systems and Technology) team, you will immediate bring your commercial financial insight and experience gained with working with Microsoft tools such as power BI to help design relevant financial and analytical dashboards to enable key real time decision making by the business.

Knowledge of labour management systems and previous experience of working with non-financial stakeholders is highly advantageous. You will be comfortable at operating within different levels of stakeholders from peers in both finance and non-finance teams to director level as you take accountability for the finances within this pillar of the BIGS Finance team.

You will be responsible for partnering with operational stakeholders to identify savings driven from the new end to end solution, completing forecasting, monthly reporting and on-going maintenance of the financial model within this area. Your commercial finance experience will make a difference in benchmarking and trend analysis on both the existing business and on new bids in the future.

Often reporting on efficiencies rather than bottom line expenditure it will be your responsibility to translate this data into tangible costs that can be reported. You’ll be great at partnering and building relationships with senior leaders and be able to keep them updated on costs by monitoring day to day activities which may take them above an agreed budget.

A position offering a variety of challenge, personal and professional development and involvement in a project from inception through to BAU delivery does not come along often! This is a unique opportunity and would suit a candidate with the right level of gravitas and ability to inspire buy-in from internal customers, partner with senior leaders and demonstrate an ability to think commercially.

Role Responsibility

• Identify key KPI’s and useful benchmarking and trend analysis by working with the wider BI finance team to allow the operational stakeholders to measure their performance more efficiently and provide commercial insight into effective dashboards and reports from Power BI
• Working with IS&T in the design of real time dashboards within Power BI
• Understanding how existing systems flow into a Microsoft Data lake to output tools such as Power BI
• Reporting and action plan tracking of financials and presenting monthly results to senior stakeholders
• Review the financial performance models within Power BI to ensure it is fit for purpose and reflects changes in the market/offering that impact upon the financials. Understand synergies and look to develop analytics which would allow more useful reporting
• Support the platforms with providing accurate and timely commercial analysis from the project and BAU activities. Analyse performance of the Service Lines once implemented and report back on performance versus benchmark and model, reporting and following-up on and recommending changes to the models required within Power BI

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACCA or equivalent)
• Excellent analytical and financial skills
• Experience with Office 365 suite of applications (Power BI, PowerApps)
• Experience of working with large data sets and creation of commercial dashboards and analytics
• Self-starter with strong commercial acumen
• Strategic & creative thinking coupled with sound judgement and decision making
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Very strong interpersonal skills (presentational, public speaking, listening, influencing, diplomacy)
• Understanding and experience in working within a large multinational company
• Experience in building effective relationships with external stakeholders and business partners

Desirable

• Excellent understanding of the management and development of financial systems
• Previous experience within a FM or Services background is highly desirable
• Evidence of on-going self-development

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the Corporate, Healthcare, Education, Leisure, Government & Agencies and Justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1.5bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to further engage ex-forces personnel and reservists.  Those applying for roles with us who meet the essential criteria advertised under the ‘ideal candidate’ on the vacancy advertised are guaranteed to progress within the selection process.