Financial Controller

Financial Controller

RTS Infrastructure (Part of Arriva Group)
📍 Holbeck, Leeds
🕒 Full Time | 40 Hours per Week

RTS Infrastructure is a trusted provider of rail infrastructure, construction and depot services across the UK. Based in Leeds, we work with major rail industry clients, delivering projects that keep the UK's rail network moving. Following our acquisition by Arriva Group, we're entering an exciting new chapter of growth, investment and opportunity as part of one of Europe's leading passenger transport organisations.

We're looking for an experienced Financial Controller to join our leadership team in Holbeck. This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified finance professional to take ownership of the finance function within a growing infrastructure business, providing financial leadership, commercial insight and robust governance across the organisation.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you'll lead and develop a finance team whilst working closely with senior stakeholders, project teams and operational leaders to drive business performance and ensure strong financial control.

As part of Arriva Group, you'll be joining a business with ambitious growth plans in the UK rail sector. Our recent acquisition strengthens our position within rail infrastructure, broadens our service offering and creates exciting opportunities for our people and our customers.

This role offers:

• A key leadership position within a growing and evolving business

• The opportunity to shape financial strategy and governance

• Exposure to major infrastructure and construction projects

• Close collaboration with senior operational and commercial stakeholders

• The chance to influence business performance and decision-making

• Career development opportunities within an international transport group

• A collaborative and forward-thinking working environment

The Financial Controller is responsible for leading the finance function and ensuring the delivery of accurate financial reporting, effective financial controls, strong cash management and robust governance across the business.

You'll combine strategic financial leadership with hands-on project accounting oversight, supporting a portfolio of construction and infrastructure projects while ensuring the highest standards of financial management.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Control & Reporting

• Lead the month-end and year-end reporting processes

• Produce accurate management accounts, KPI reporting and financial insights

• Maintain ownership of balance sheet and profit & loss integrity

• Manage balance sheet reconciliations, accruals and prepayments

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, financial governance requirements and internal controls

• Support statutory reporting and external audit activities

• Drive continuous improvement across finance systems, reporting and processes

Planning, Forecasting & Business Partnering

• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting activities

• Develop meaningful financial reporting and performance dashboards

• Provide financial analysis, insight and challenge to senior management teams

• Partner with operational stakeholders to identify risks, opportunities and efficiency improvements

• Support strategic and operational decision-making across the business

Project Accounting & Commercial Oversight

• Oversee the financial management of construction and infrastructure projects

• Ensure accurate reporting of project performance, profitability and revenue recognition

• Manage Work in Progress (WIP), accrued income and project accounting controls

• Review and challenge project budgets, forecasts and Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs)

• Monitor project costs, revenues, margins and commercial risks

• Deliver detailed project performance analysis and commentary to senior stakeholders

• Coordinate cash flow forecasting, working capital improvements and debt management activities

• Support project teams in achieving commercial and contractual objectives

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach and develop a finance team of four

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement

• Set objectives and performance measures for team members

• Ensure effective financial control processes and segregation of duties

• Act as a role model for company values and behaviours

You'll be an experienced finance leader with a strong background in financial control, business partnering and project-based environments. You'll be comfortable operating both strategically and operationally, building strong relationships across finance and non-finance teams.

Essential Experience

• Previous experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or Senior Finance Business Partner

• Experience within construction, engineering, infrastructure or project-based environments

• Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and governance

• Experience maintaining effective financial controls and balance sheet ownership

• Project accounting and commercial finance experience

Essential Skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Strong commercial awareness and analytical capability

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

• Experience using Sage 50 accounting software

• Highly organised with strong attention to detail

• Ability to influence and challenge stakeholders constructively

• Strong relationship-building and team leadership skills

• A proactive approach with a focus on continuous improvement

If you're looking for an opportunity to lead a finance function, influence business performance and make a meaningful impact within a growing rail infrastructure organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and be part of the next chapter of RTS Infrastructure's journey.