Engagement Business Partner - Manager - CBS, Finance - Permanent - Newcastle

Job Description

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Engagement Business Partner - Manager

The Engagement Business Partner (EBP) is a finance professional with comprehensive knowledge of systems, processes, and policies. In this internal role, the EBP acts as the Finance single point of contact, collaborating closely with client-serving engagement teams to enable the successful delivery of engagements across the full engagement lifecycle, from opportunity creation to final record archiving. Please note: this is not a technical accounting role.

The opportunity

As the most senior Engagement Business Partner, you will play a pivotal role by ensuring the accurate and timely execution of all engagement lifecycle activities. The main components of this role are:

• Serving as the Finance single point of contact for Engagement Partners and Managers, offering guidance and overseeing all aspects of the Opportunity Engagement Lifecycle (OEL).
• Overseeing the completion of OEL tasks by delegating to Centres of Excellence (CoEs), and monitoring progress to ensure timely delivery.
• Proactively managing financial and quality related risks across your engagement portfolio, intervening where needed to provide strategic advice to uplift the compliance and revenue stability of your portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with service line specific policies and parameters.
• Supporting the annual external audit process.

This is a dynamic and rewarding role that contributes to profitable growth and high-quality client service.

Your key responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of client opportunities and engagements, acting as the Finance single point of contact for the most senior Engagement Partners within the firm as well as broader external audit, operations, and service line stakeholders.
• Manage the professional development, coaching and upskilling of other EBPs in the team.
• Lead the development of innovative solutions and best practices to enhance Finance support for client servers, responding swiftly to emerging needs from stakeholder feedback.
• Leverage proven leadership capabilities, exceptional team management and organisational skills to drive improvement initiatives across the EBP team.
• Oversee team resourcing, proactively tracking joiners, leavers, and movers, and ensuring coverage of Partner portfolios during periods of leave or absence.
• Coordinate with client servers and CoEs to:
  • Apply knowledge of service line specific OEL policies and guidelines to ensure compliance across the OEL lifecycle.
  • Monitor and advise on risk assessment and compliance processes.
  • Advise on pricing models and engagement budgets. o Assess financial implications of engagement structures and budgets.
  • Support and challenge the Estimate-to-Complete (ETC) processes and related financial updates.
  • Support the portfolio’s working capital activity.
• Provide challenge and best practice insights to client servers where required such as through optimal margin, pricing plans or engagement structures.
• Develop a diverse network of relationships across Finance and non-Finance stakeholders to provide holistic Finance support for Engagement Partners and escalate queries beyond remit to other functional experts within Finance (e.g. PFAs).
• Review work performed by CoEs for accuracy and take ownership of OEL tasks when urgent needs arise.
• Apply deep Service Line knowledge to provide insights and strategic thinking to senior stakeholders within the Service Line.
• Upskill and share knowledge with client servers on OEL best practice, standards and tools.
• Develop a diverse network of relationships across Finance and non-Finance stakeholders to provide holistic Finance support for Engagement Partners and escalate queries beyond remit to other functional experts within Finance (e.g. PFAs).
• Engage with CoE Managers to flag issues, trends or knowledge required for CoE upskilling.
• Provide subject matter expertise in delivering training on OEL best practices for CoEs.

Skills and attributes for success

• Deliver with pace ensuring activities are executed accurately in a fast-moving environment.
• Ability to engage proactively with Engagement Partners to anticipate upcoming needs and ensure OEL requirements are met on time.
• Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with a deep understanding of client server perspectives and a proven ability to build and sustain high-value relationships.
• Influential communicator, skilled at delivering constructive challenge and shaping outcomes at senior levels.
• Excellent analytical and commercial acumen, with high attention to detail.
• Take ownership of monthly activities, driving progress and proactively managing business outcomes to meet deadlines and performance targets.
• Rapid learner with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset, committed to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across teams.
• Ability to translate complex technical system language into business-relevant terms.
• Skilled listener with sound judgment and the ability to escalate appropriately.
• Proven leadership capability, with a track record of developing talent.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Significant experience in a client-facing or finance-related role within a professional services or corporate environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing stakeholders and delivering high-impact client service.
• Proven ability to lead others in hybrid and fast-paced environments.
• A strong work ethic, thriving in fast-paced situations while maintaining exceptional standards.
• Proven ability to build relationships with people at all levels within the firm.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced environments.

What we look for

Highly motivated, good communicators who can lead with confidence, establish credibility with client servers and effectively manage more junior resources. You will need to convey financial impacts in business language back to client servers. You will also need to be a team player who is not only looking to enhance their own career but recognises the value in developing others and strengthening the team.

What we offer

We offer a competitive remuneration package where you’ll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with MyReward you can select benefits that suit your needs, including holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. In addition, you will benefit from:

• Continuous learning: You’ll have access to EY’s world-class learning offerings, on-the-job coaching, and structured development programmes designed to deepen your expertise, broaden your perspective, and help you grow into the next stage of your career.
• Success as defined by you: Define what success looks like for you, and we’ll provide the tools and flexibility to help you achieve it.
• Transformative leadership: Gain the insights, coaching, and confidence to lead with purpose and impact.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

Please note

Prior to finalising your application, you will be asked to provide personal information across several dimensions of diversity and inclusiveness. The information you provide is kept entirely confidential and will not be used to evaluate your candidacy. We collect this data to help us analyse our recruitment process holistically and implement actions that promote diversity and inclusiveness. While optional, we encourage you to provide this information to hold us accountable towards our goal of building a better working world. Read more about our commitment to diversity & inclusiveness here.

We ask because it matters!

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible. Shape your future with confidence.

Apply now.

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