Finance Manager

We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp (LSbp) operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive. We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long-term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition. Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide. 

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

What you’ll do (the role)

Summary

Reporting into the Senior Finance Manager for Northern EMEA and Corporate, this role is responsible for producing and maintaining accurate and complete reporting/analysis related to UK & Ireland projects throughout the project lifecycle:

Responsibilities of the Role

Financial Compliance & Control

• Lead the monthly and year-end close for all development and construction entities (i.e., UK, Ireland and Trinidad & Tobago (“T&T”)).
• Ensure adherence to financial policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Support the implementation of new accounting processes and SOX-compliant protocols.
• Assist the Financial Controller Northern EMEA and Corporate and Regional Finance Director in improving processes that allow acceleration of month end activities providing more scope for review.
• Support the Financial Controller Northern EMEA and Corporate and Regional Finance Director in the roll out of new accounting processes, systems, and SOX-compliant protocols.
• Provide support across Northern EMEA and Corporate entities, as necessary

Management Information

• Produce timely and accurate financial reports for all UK & Ireland entities.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to update the monthly development and construction report for all the projects (i.e., UK, Ireland, T&T, Azerbaijan)
• Maintain underlying accounting records in line with best practices.
• Continually improve procedures and controls for transaction processing.
• Present monthly management and construction reports (including actual versus budget analysis) to senior stakeholders.

Payroll and Liquidity

• Prepare monthly liquidity templates; liaise with relevant stakeholders on Devex and cash requirements.
• Validate and review payroll, ensuring all related payments (PAYE, NIC, pensions) are accurate and timely.

Indirect Tax & Statutory Reporting

• Oversee VAT returns, EC Sales Lists, and Intrastat processes and submissions.
• Register new companies for VAT and liaise with local tax authorities as needed.

Statutory Accounts and Audit

• Prepare statutory accounts and audit schedules for defined scope.
• Liaise with external auditors, internal stakeholders, owners, and lenders as required.

Business Partnering

• Act as a key finance partner for regional projects and initiatives.
• Provide ad hoc financial support, including SAP, payments, and project accounting.
• Support business development, divestments and other transactional activities.

Change Management & Other Duties

• Contribute to regional change initiatives and continual improvement projects.
• Take ownership of ledger entries and maintain a hands-on approach as required.
• Collaborate with the broader finance and business teams to achieve organisational goals.

Experience Required

• Good understanding of VAT and preparing statutory accounts.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA and advanced MS Excel.

Skills Required

• Excellent management accounting and analysis skills.
• Ability to organise workload and prioritise to maximum effect
• Flexible approach in a fast-paced business
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to recognise and question anomalies
• Keen problem solver and propose effective solutions
• Set high standards of performance for yourself and the broader finance team
• Ability to pick up systems and processes quickly
• Demonstrate excellent MS Excel skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, dealing with different levels in the organisation
• Positive can-do attitude, ability to maintain a positive attitude in demanding situations
• Work effectively as part of a team, share information with relevant parties
• Willingness to take on a variety of duties as required

Education Required

• Qualified accountant (3–5 years' post-qualification experience).

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible. 

Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired: Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.

Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do. 

For further information on our career opportunities and life at Lightsource bp, please visit https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/