JOB TITLE: Finance Business Partner

DEPARTMENT: Finance

LOCATION: Stamford Bridge, London

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full Time

Closing date: 21st August

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the position may be filled before the listed closing date. To avoid missing out, please submit your application at your earliest convenience.

JOB FUNCTION: To act as a finance business partner for designated departments, with a particular focus on all CFC Women departments alongside selected additional business areas, providing timely reporting, analysis and financial support to help budget holders manage performance and costs effectively.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Management & Control

•      Support and coordinate the end-to-end execution of key operational activities, such as budgeting and monthly management accounting.
•      Responsible for administering financial controls to ensure that accurate financial information is always provided.
•      Responsible for delivering financial reporting which is meaningful, insightful and accurate across their business activities.
•      Understands and works within sector requirements and guidelines.

Business Partnering & Analysis

•      Business Partnering: Work closely with a number of departments across the Club to challenge assumptions and provide financial analysis and information to facilitate change.
•      Performance Reporting: Ensure that departmental results are reported accurately and in a timely manner to Department Heads and Senior Leadership.
•      CFC Women Focus: Act as the dedicated finance business partner for all CFC Women departments, ensuring financial plans, reporting and analysis reflect the specific priorities and operating requirements of those areas.
•      Variance Analysis: Provide detailed variance analysis to understand the financial position against budgeted targets.
•      Forecasting: Support the forecasting process for designated business areas, working with budget holders.
•      Deliver key information and analytics around operational performance.
•      Understands and leads the concept of adding value to the business and cost control.

Strategic & Advisory Support

•      Provide analysis and insight that supports the link between financial performance and Club strategy
•      Support Heads of Departments with financial analysis to inform planning and decision-making.
•      Long-Range Planning: Assist the Senior Finance Manager and Head of Business Finance with preparing longer-range forecasts to help inform Club strategy.
•      Understands and interprets industry specific information, economic trends and competitor landscape intelligence.

MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE:

•       Timely, accurate monthly reporting and forecasts for designated departments.
•       Clear variance analysis with practical commentary and recommended actions.
•       Effective ownership of finance business partnering support across all CFC Women departments and agreed additional business areas.
•       Positive feedback from budget holders and finance leadership on the quality of support provided.
•       Effective maintenance of financial controls and adherence to Club processes.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION:

Qualifications:

Essential

•      Higher education and qualified accountant – ACA, ACCA or CIMA with a minimum of 3 years PQE.

Experience:

Essential

•      High level of commercial awareness and the ability to understand the specific nature of financing and revenue generation in a sports club environment.
•      Proven ability to own and manage budgeting, forecasting, and detailed variance analysis for business units.
•      Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and IT literacy (e.g., advanced Excel, experience with ERP/BI systems) and the ability to gather analyse and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data to communicate conclusions and make recommendations in a clear and compelling way.
•      Demonstrate a confident and persuasive communication style (verbal and written) which adapts to the audience and can present and communicate complex information in a simple and compelling way.
•      An ability to work with senior stakeholders to persuade and challenge in the face of resistance and ambiguity.
•      Demonstrable ability to build relationships, negotiate, facilitate and manage conflict resolution.
•      Excellent team working skills, which embody proactivity, enthusiasm and a hands on approach.
•      Appreciation and experience of working with sensitive and confidential information

Our Expectations:

• To embody the club’s BLUE behaviours (Brave, Lead, Unity, Edge) in the approach to work and interaction with others 
• To adhere to the club’s policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR.
• To act as an ambassador for diversity, equality, and inclusion, and demonstrate a positive commitment by treating others fairly in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels
• To create a safe environment and act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are either in your care or attending club premises, and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead
• To report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the HR Department

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: 

At Chelsea we recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths and we are taking positive action to ensure our existing colleagues and job applicants can fully be themselves and bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to Chelsea FC. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.   

If you need reasonable adjustments made to the recruitment process, please reach out to your recruiter, who will be able to advise and support you.

Chelsea FC is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups). We therefore require all successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment. Depending on the role, successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening where appropriate. 

This Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.