Cost Planner (Project Finance Analyst)

In Team Digital, we’re planning for a future where the technology solutions we co-create and design enable us to achieve our goal of protecting our greatest natural resource and allowing our customers, communities and the environment to thrive.

As a team, our vision is to create an everyday digital experience for the people we serve - our customers - by putting them at the heart of everything we do. As part of our award-winning team, you’ll help the business become an intelligent, connected organisation to deliver our digital transformation and turnaround.

We are seeking an experienced Cost Planner (Project Finance Analyst) for a 6 month contract (Inside IR35) to be responsible for the preparation of accurate and timely financial information to support and enable the analysis and reporting of Thames Digital’s financial position. Developing and managing the relationship with the programme managers and the delivery team will be key to this role.

What you will be doing as a Cost Planner (Project Finance Analyst)

• Be accountable for all financial measurement and reporting within your portfolio of projects/programmes and support programme managers in preparing materials required for new investment requests.
• You will ensure SAP is representative of all financial / outcome information and support Programme Managers in the development and management of the cost models, ensuring expenditure is within budgetary and funding control.
• You will attend & support monthly finance reviews with key stakeholders, providing valuable input into meetings and challenging where necessary.
• You will monitor financial progress on a monthly basis as well as alert the programme manager when control dates and costs are about to be breached.
• You will review month-end actuals and forecasts and understand the implications against the budget/forecast.
• You will liaise with the cost centre accountants and ensure correct charges/POs are raised and reported between CAPEX/OPEX.

What you should bring to the role?

We want to bring together a team of brilliant tech minds with game-changing ideas.

We’re looking for people who will help us re-imagine the way we work and the way we get things done:

• A truly digital mindset. Open to collaboration. Open to risk. Open to new ways of doing things.
• Obsessed with data. Obsessed with excellence.
• People who think and behave differently to the way we do. People who don’t want to just be another cog in the machine.

• Experience with financial reporting & budgeting.
• Experience with governance & funding.
• Proficient in the use of MS tools - Advanced MS Excel (pivot tables, v lookups, macros) PowerPoint, SharePoint and a working knowledge of SAP.
• High attention to detail and capable of handling complex data.
• Project Accounting knowledge.
• Experience with working on multiple projects with conflicting priorities.
• Month-end reporting including forecasting & variance analysis.
• Ability to scrutinize, challenge and find solutions and answers to questions and queries.

What’s in it for you?

• Daily Pay rate: £400 per day depending on experience.
• IR35 determination: Inside IR35.
• Location: (Travel to other sites required): Hybrid - Clearwater Court, Reading.
• Length of assignment: 6 months.
• Required Start date: ASAP.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.