Business Partner – Support Functions, Strategy & Perfomance

The People Cost Finance Lead role reports to the Global Head of Employee Costs and works closely with the CFO, CTO, CHRO, CIO and other functions. It is a high‑visibility role that supports executive‑level decision making, improves transparency, and strengthens financial discipline while leading the automation strategy within the people cost finance team.

Key Accountabilities

• Act as a trusted finance partner to senior leaders across central functions, providing clear financial insight and constructive challenge.
• Support function leads with robust finance input into workforce planning, operating model decisions and initiatives.
• Present complex people cost information in an executive‑ready format to support timely and well‑informed decisions.
• Run the Annual Plan and Forecasting process, including reviews and governance sign‑offs.
• Lead people cost budgeting, forecasting and long‑term planning across the enterprise, developing insight into key cost drivers such as headcount, pay, incentives, benefits and workforce mix.
• Monitor performance against plan, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and support corrective actions, ensuring consistency, comparability and transparency of people cost information.
• Define and drive the automation strategy for people cost finance activities, aligned with Finance Transformation priorities; identify opportunities to streamline and automate processes such as headcount reporting, forecasting updates and management reporting.
• Work in partnership with HR Systems, Finance Systems and finance change teams to deliver sustainable solutions that improve data accuracy, control and efficiency while reducing manual effort and operational risk.
• Act as a sponsor for continuous improvement and modern finance capability within the people cost area.
• Lead through influence, credibility and expertise rather than formal authority; build collaborative relationships across Finance, HR and Technology.
• Support the Global Head of Employee Costs in shaping enterprise‑wide people cost strategy and standards, championing a data‑led, efficient and forward‑looking approach.

Skills, Experience & Profile

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong finance business‑partnering experience in a complex organisation.
• Deep understanding of people costs and workforce‑related financial drivers.
• Experience leading or contributing to finance automation or process improvement initiatives.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and influencing at executive level.
• Working knowledge of Workday, Power BI and Adaptive.

Desirable

• Experience partnering closely with HR, IT and Finance functions.
• Exposure to finance or enterprise transformation programmes.
• Power user of BI, Workday and Adaptive.
• Strong interest in digital enablement and modern finance operating models.

Benefits

• Unique opportunity to be part of an expanding global business.
• Competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
• Training and development opportunities.
• High level of visibility within a large organisation on an upwards trajectory.
• Strong team culture and high‑performing environment.

Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.

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