Finance Business Partner - Life Finance Partnering

Finance Business Partner - Life Finance Partnering

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Location: Flexible – the team is based in Swindon/London and office presence will be required.

The opportunity:

As Business Partner to the Life business your role will be to support the UK Life business to deliver their commercial strategy. Working with them to develop and deliver the financial plan and act as the key contact for all finance topics.

The role will lead the wider UK Life Finance Business Partnering team, and report to the UK Life CFO, deputising where appropriate.

To be successful the role holder will be a strong leader of people, capable of building excellent relationships with senior stakeholders, both in the Life Management Teams in the UK and across UK Finance, working closely with PPM, Commercial Life Actuarial and UK Life Actuarial in helping to drive the Life business forward. You will also need to be comfortable navigating ambiguity, and able to provide complex financial insight to senior business leaders in a way which aids their decision making.

What will you be doing?

1. Support the UK Life business in understanding their financial performance. Provide challenge and insights to UK Life leaders to help them set their commercial and financial strategy to drive improved results.
2. Build relationships with the UK Life business to be considered a trusted business partner and face of Finance.
3. Lead the UK Life Finance BP team through creating a positive culture and behaviours to support ongoing improvements.
4. Ensure the integrity of financial models and projections through implementation of suitable controls, documentation and testing.
5. Aid in the creation and development of ad hoc financial models and analysis to assist and support initiatives and business cases.
6. Monitor and provide insight and analysis of the actual performance vs plan and forecast.
7. Support the UK Life CFO in leading the delivery of the annual planning cycle for UK Life.
8. Maintain an effective planning and analysis capability that will provide the senior Life Management Team and Finance with appropriate analytical tools.
9. Support UK Life Business Unit Reviews and represent UK Life Finance at the wider Finance function as appropriate.
10. Provide financial advice for business initiatives such as new business opportunities.
11. Support the UK Life CFO in preparing reports for the ZAL Board and Committees.
12. Support transformation activity across Finance and UK Life.
13. Lead the UK Life finance business partner team and coach them in developing the understanding, analysis and insight required to develop the UK Life financial plan.
14. Demonstrate role model leadership behaviours across Finance and lead on wider projects.
15. Keeps abreast of relevant industry trends and articulate impact on performance relative to competitors.

What are we looking for?

1. Excellent leadership experience – leading an experienced team through coaching, developing and evolving the team.
2. Extensive experience in building and managing relationships with varied stakeholders at a senior level.
3. Excellent understanding of the UK financial performance framework.
4. Ability to deliver complex financial analysis and to be a subject matter expert.
5. Experience of acting as a conduit between finance and the business units.
6. Influencing or negotiating and communicating at a senior level.
7. Analytical thinker with strong business acumen.
8. Fully qualified accountant, or relevant qualification, with extensive experience leading a team in the UK.
9. A thought leader who can lead from the front and support the business strategy.

What happens next?

As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview.

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.