Junior Finance Business Partner (Fixed Term)

Junior Finance Business Partner (Fixed Term)

Link House, 25 West Street
Poole, DORSET, BH15 1LD
United Kingdom

From rollercoasters, LEGO Models and Koala Bears, to Celebrity Wax Figures and a Beluga Whale Sanctuary - the Merlin Entertainments family is all about fun, innovation and making a difference!

We make magical experiences for a living, all the while supporting our charities to protect our oceans and gift magical days out for children who need it most. We’re the only company that could host a meeting at a Zoo one day and a LEGOLAND Park the next. And as the 2nd largest attractions operator in the world, we’re everywhere – which means your career could go anywhere…

From shrieks, screams and spine tingles, to awe and delight - when you join the Merlin family FUN is in every job description!

About the Role

We are currently recruiting a Junior Finance Business Partner (fixed term) to join our dedicated Finance Team based at our Head Office in Poole, Dorset. Reporting to the Finance Business Partner you will support with the delivery of financial insight into business drivers in order to deliver and develop strategic objectives, monthly reporting, and the annual budget.

The key objectives of the role include:

• Supporting the delivery of finance business partnering for key functional stakeholders including P&L support with consideration given to pricing, yield, margins, operating costs and profitability.
• Support local finance teams to ensure best practice financial control and/or support where there are resource gaps
• Identify and investigate trends in trading performance with stakeholder groups and support with the implementation of mid to short term plans to maximise performance.
• Identify and investigate trends in KPIs with stakeholder groups and support with the implementation of mid to short term plans to maximise performance.
• Support with the tracking and reporting of capital expenditure and the delivery of business cases for capital projects.
• Support the Finance Business partner with any ad hoc analysis required by the Operations team.
• Provide financial support liaising with attraction teams to ensure all teams maintain gold standard levels of financial control, monitoring and flagging risks.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting for functional areas and support with the preparation of month end commentary, providing insights and suggestions for remedial activities.
• Challenge unusual P&L movements, forecasts and fluctuations to ensure forecast and actual financial performance is robust.
• Become the expert in understanding the various sources of data and standardised reports that support the business and ensure consistency of approach to seek the “single version of the truth” in regard to reporting standards.
• Assist business operations to manage Financial Governance and Risks and Controls as outlined by Group Policies and financial reporting standards.
• Act as the finance ambassador to build and maintain partnerships to develop strong networks across the area of responsibility.

This is a fixed term full time position working predominantly Monday to Friday. It is envisaged that the role will be for a period of twelve months from April 2023.

Due to the nature of our unique business some international and regional travel will be required.

Who we’re looking for

Do you have the following skills?

• Degree educated and/or ACA / ACCA / CIMA Qualified/Part-Qualified
• Able to demonstrate strong financial technical competency
• Strong excel skills with the ability to use complex functions
• Previous experience of working with non-financial colleagues
• Ideally have experience in a consumer facing organisation with a continuous improvement agenda.
• Good communication and presentation skills, demonstrating an understanding of the wider business drivers and challenges when sharing financial information.
• Able to communicate financial information at the appropriate stakeholder level and ensure relevant training and coaching is provided to non-financial stakeholders.

The Perks

• Competitive salary
• 28 days holiday
• Group Personal Pension Plan
• Merlin Magic Pass
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance
• 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants
• 40% discount online on Lego

Everyone Matters at Merlin.
At Merlin we welcome the world to our magical attractions and resorts every day and we want to reflect that same multicultural mix inside our business too. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse workplace where people can be themselves, have the same opportunities and thrive together. Because at Merlin, everyone matters! Together, we work to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, no matter their age, race, gender, disability or sexual orientation. Although we understand that we'll always be learning and growing, we aim to be the most inclusive and flexible employer in our industry.

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