Expense Management Business Partner

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Location: We’re flexible! our team is based in Swindon, with 1–2 days per week in the office, plus occasional visits to Whiteley or London as needed.

Closing date for applications: 31st August 2025

The opportunity: 

Are you ready for a new challenge? We’re looking for an adaptable and resilient Expense Management Business Partner to join our PPM team. In this key role, you’ll partner closely with fast-moving business functions, supporting them to achieve their strategic goals and expense targets.

You’ll play a vital part in shaping our company’s financial future—optimising cost efficiency, managing expenses, and providing valuable insights that drive smart business decisions. Your ability to balance multiple priorities and build strong relationships will ensure our business continues to grow, remain profitable, and deliver excellent service to our customers.

We value attention to detail and a proactive mindset. Your expertise and influence will make a real difference, impacting key business outcomes and supporting our vision for a brighter future together.

You’ll also lead and inspire a small team of two direct reports, creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

If you’re confident managing stakeholders at all levels and keen to make a positive impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing? 

• Partner with departments to understand expense needs, provide guidance on best practices, and support financial target delivery.
• Prepare and present regular financial reports to senior management, highlighting key insights and recommendations.
• Analyse expense reports and financial statements to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for cost efficiency.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between finance and other business units.
• Lead the preparation of annual budgets and forecasts, ensuring accurate expense projections in line with policies and regulations.
• Deliver monthly reporting and respond to ad hoc analysis requests for business functions and stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, working with the Senior Expense Management Business Partner to enhance efficiency.
• Collaborate with functions to agree cost allocation drivers across cost centres, including channel/product, admin, acquisition, claims handling, and fixed/variable costs.
• Track portfolio costs and benefits, prepare analysis for the local Change Board, and provide early warnings on project delivery risks. 

What are we looking for?

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Proven experience building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders, using strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Confident and credible in consulting, facilitating, challenging, and advising senior stakeholders.
• Skilled in coordinating activities and delivering results both independently and through others.

Financial Expertise & Analysis

• Strong understanding of financial results, metrics, and expense drivers, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Curious and creative approach, delivering complex financial analysis and acting as a subject matter expert to identify opportunities and address challenges.
• Experienced in bridging finance and business units, translating complex financial matters into clear, actionable insight.

Commercial Awareness & Business Acumen

• Solution-focused, commercially aware, and flexible thinker with solid business acumen.
• Fully qualified accountant or with extensive relevant experience.

Technical Proficiency

• Advanced user of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as Power BI/Power Query, or willingness to develop these skills.
• Familiarity with SAP and IBM Planning Analytics (desirable but not essential).

Project & IT Knowledge

• Knowledge of IT expenditure, including project management (Capex/Revex) and business case analysis (advantageous, not essential).

As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us. #LI-Hybrid