Inspired is a market leading, technology-enabled provider of energy and sustainability solutions in the UK - supporting businesses to transition to net zero carbon and manage their response to climate change.
Established in 2000, we became the first publicly quoted advisor following a successful AIM debut in 2011. We are now the UK’s number one destination for businesses seeking expert insight and advisory services to help them manage their energy costs, reduce their carbon emissions and prove their net zero carbon and ESG strategies to their investors and customers
We are looking for a Finance Business Partner: Optimisation to join our successful Finance team. This role is home based with occasional travel to offices required.
Role and Responsibilities
Optimisation Solutions within Inspired consists of a range of technology led products and solutions designed to reduce energy demand and deliver energy efficiency to a range of B2B clients across a vast number of industries. Solutions can range from energy efficiency lighting, solar PV, energy storage, CHP (combined Heat and Power solutions), voltage optimisation and ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle). Inspired’s Optimisation Solutions are at the forefront of the dive towards energy sustainability and a zero-carbon future.
Inspired are seeking an experienced, driven, high-calibre Finance Business Partner to provide commercial financial support to a large portfolio of Optimisation (Energy sustainability and efficiency) Projects seeing the financial process through from pre-tender to completion and beyond. The role partners with the Inspired Energy Optimisation leadership team, Project Managers, Commercial Managers, Quantity Surveyors, and Operational Leaders to improve financial performance, ensure robust forecasting, manage project risks, and support strategic decision-making.
The successful candidate will combine strong financial expertise with commercial acumen to maximise project profitability, improve cash flow, and ensure effective financial governance across multiple optimisation projects.
The successful candidate's responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
Business Partnering
- Act as the finance lead for a portfolio of Optimisation projects.
- Partner with Project Managers and Commercial Teams to improve financial performance.
- Provide financial insight to support operational decision-making.
- Challenge assumptions and provide recommendations to improve project profitability.
- Support operational teams in understanding project financial performance.
Financial Planning & Forecasting
- Prepare monthly project forecasts and annual budgets.
- Analyse project cost performance against budget.
- Produce accurate cash flow forecasts.
- Review committed costs and forecast final account positions.
- Monitor project margins throughout the project lifecycle.
Financial Reporting
- Produce monthly management reports.
- Analyse project variances and explain financial movements.
- Prepare profitability reports by project, contract and business unit.
- Present financial performance to senior management.
- Develop dashboards and KPI reporting.
Commercial Support
- Review contract profitability.
- Support pricing decisions during tender submissions.
- Evaluate commercial risks and opportunities.
- Assist with business cases for new projects.
- Support contract negotiations with financial analysis.
Cost Control
- Monitor labour, plant, subcontractor and material costs.
- Identify cost overruns early and recommend corrective actions.
- Review project overhead allocations.
- Ensure project costs are accurately captured.
Working Capital & Cash Flow
- Monitor project cash generation.
- Support applications for payment and revenue recognition.
- Improve debtor collection performance.
- Monitor retention balances.
- Review payment schedules and supplier commitments.
Financial Governance
- Ensure compliance with company financial controls.
- Support month-end and year-end reporting.
- Review project accruals and provisions as necessary.
- Ensure revenue recognition complies with accounting standards for construction projects.
- Assist with audit requirements.
Performance Improvement
- Identify opportunities for process improvements.
- Develop financial models to support business decisions.
- Improve reporting automation using Power BI or similar tools.
- Promote continuous improvement across finance and operations.
Key Performance Indicators:
- Forecast accuracy.
- Project margin achievement
- Budget adherence
- Cash collection performance.
- Working capital improvements
- Timely month-end reporting
- Cost savings delivered
- Stakeholder satisfaction
- Financial control compliance
Qualifications and Experience Requirements
Essential:
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
- Significant Finance Business Partnering experience.
- Experience supporting large capital projects.
- Experience within construction, engineering or infrastructure sectors.
- Strong understanding of project accounting
- Knowledge of percentage-of-completion accounting (IFRS 15)
- Understanding of cost value reconciliation (CVR)
- Experience with Microsoft Dynamics
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
Desirable:
- Strong financial modelling capability
- Experience with Power BI
- Experience with Sage
What we offer
- Training and development opportunities
- Company pension
- Life insurance
- Enhanced maternity and paternity
- Benefits portal, with a wide range of benefits
- 4pm finish on Friday
If you are interested in the role and would like to be considered, please apply now and a member of our In House Recruitment Team will be in touch. Good Luck!
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.