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They inspire, guide, empower & unite us.
Expense Partner
Job description details
Job ref: 2025-13217
Closing date: 27/01/2026
Location:
Tunbridge Wells
Career area:
FINANCE
Salary:
Competitive annual salary
At AXA, we’re committed to delivering sustainable growth while ensuring cost efficiency and operational excellence. Our Finance team plays a crucial role in supporting strategic decision-making, managing costs, and driving value across our fast-moving health, retail, and commercial functions. We believe that strong financial partnerships and insightful analysis are the backbone of our success.
As Expense Partner, you’ll be at the heart of our business, working closely with senior leaders and finance directors to deliver impactful cost management insights. You’ll influence decision-making, support budget and forecast targets, and help embed a cost-conscious culture across key functions. This is a strategic role where your ability to turn data into compelling stories and influence at all levels will drive material improvements in our cost base and business outcomes.
At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events.
What you’ll be doing:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Finance Directors and senior leaders, providing expert expense partnering support that directly impacts growth, profitability, and customer service
- Influence leadership to embed a cost-conscious mindset, supplementing standard reports with ad-hoc insights and detailed analysis of the cost base
- Oversee monthly cost forums, presenting performance against budget, risks, opportunities, and key decision points for fast-moving functions
- Drive budget and forecast accuracy by leading reviews, challenging assumptions, and providing clear financial insights to support accountability
- Collaborate with teams to agree cost allocation drivers and ensure transparent, fair distribution of costs across channels, products, and activities
- Support change portfolio governance by tracking project costs, benefits, and delivery, providing early warning of underperforming initiatives and supporting course correction
- Lead reforecasting and reprioritisation efforts, ensuring agility in response to changing business needs and strategic priorities
- Manage approval forums for budget adjustments, investment funding, and cost-saving initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals
Due to the number of applications we expect to receive for this role, we reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the listed closing date to ensure we’re able to effectively manage interest. Therefore, if you’re interested in joining us at AXA, please don’t hesitate to apply.
What you’ll bring:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, or ACCA) with proven experience in cost management, budgeting, and forecasting within financial services or insurance
- Strong relationship builder with excellent negotiation, influencing, and presentation skills, capable of engaging senior leaders confidently
- Analytical mindset with the ability to turn complex data into clear, compelling insights that drive decision-making
- Business acumen and commercial awareness, with a proactive, solution-oriented attitude
- Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and manage multiple priorities effectively
- Integrity and discretion in handling sensitive financial data
- Experience working across functions and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including finance leaders and operational managers
- Proactive, energetic, and versatile approach with a focus on continuous improvement and value delivery
As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.
What we offer:
At AXA UK, we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:
- Competitive annual salary
- Annual company & performance-based bonus
- Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
- Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)
- Private medical cover
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave
- Wellbeing services & resources
- AXA employee discounts
To apply, click on the ‘apply for this job’ button, you’ll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to bayley.colbran@axa-uk.co.uk.
#LI-Hybrid
Who we are:
AXA UK Support Functions power AXA’s three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure, support and expertise to ensure our customers can always count on us. Whether you’ve got heaps of experience and qualifications behind you, or you’re just starting out, we’ll give you the support and opportunities to help you grow and develop with confidence.
What we offer
We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of our people in protecting what matters most to our customers. In exchange we offer a series of core and supporting benefits designed to empower our people to thrive both professionally and personally.
Competitive Salary
Annual Bonus
25 - 28 Days Annual Leave
21 Hours Volunteering Leave
Pension Scheme
Life Assurance
Private Medical Cover
AXA Shareplan
Wellbeing Initiatives
Employee Assistance Programme
Flexible Benefits
Discounts
Customer first
All our thinking starts with the customer
Integrity
We’re guided by strong moral principles
Courage
We speak our mind and act to make things happen
One AXA
Being together and being different makes us better
Inclusion
At AXA we have a culture of trust, respect and care, where everyone belongs. We have an ambition to become one of the most inspiring companies to work for, as such we’re committed to supporting employee needs, providing meaningful career development, and celebrating differences. We all have a role to play in ensuring a working environment in which everyone, regardless of who they are, can reach their true potential.
Equal Opportunities
We believe in hiring people who possess the appropriate skills and values that align with our vision. Our selection process is fair and equitable, ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to join us. We are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we take pride in treating our employees and potential hires with respect and without discrimination based on any Protected Characteristics.
Accessibility Concierge
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re proud to offer our support and access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. A unique, industry leading offering created to support and encourage candidates with long term health conditions or disabilities that may require alternative methods of applying or for reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Our trained Accessibility Concierge Ambassadors will have a conversation with you to identify the support you need and explain how you will be supported throughout the process. The service is available to all candidates, including those already employed by AXA. To ensure ease of access, every job advert lists a responsible Talent Acquisition contact, who’ll be able to connect you with the Accessibility Concierge if you require any support.
Disability Confident 'Offer of Interview' Scheme
AXA UK are recognised as a Disability Confident Leader. We actively encourage applications from people who face barriers in the workplace due to a disability or long-term health condition. We participate in the Disability Confident ‘Offer of Interview’ scheme. This means a fair and proportionate number of candidates with long-term health conditions or disabilities who meet the essential criteria of a job, will be offered an interview.
- You'll need to show you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job advert or job description
- You don’t need to share the details of your long term health condition or disability for your application to be considered under this scheme
As part of your application, you’ll be asked if you would like to ‘opt in’. To ensure ease of access, every job advert lists a responsible Talent Acquisition contact, who’ll be able to connect you with our Accessibility Concierge if you require any support.
Screening & Conduct
As a regulated financial services company, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks. Additionally, adherence to the Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) Insurance Conduct Standards and the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Conduct Rules will be required.
How we hire
There are 3 stages to our recruitment process; Application, Interview and Decision. This process provides an opportunity for us to get to know you, and for you to get to know us. We’re looking for people who share our values and ambition.
Application
Application
Can I apply for jobs in other parts of AXA?
AXA Global, AXA Ireland, AXA Partners and AXA XL all have separate Careers sites.
Can I be referred by someone I know who works at AXA?
Yes, please make sure you pop their name in when prompted during the application process.
How long will it take to hear back after I've applied?
The dedicated Talent Acquisition contact listed on the the job advert will aim to get back to you shortly after the job closing date. If you still don't hear anything get in touch.
What do I do if I need support with my application?
Please get in touch with the dedicated Talent Acquistion contact, details of who to contact are on every job advert.
Does AXA offer flexible working options?
Yes dependent on the needs of the business and the role you're applying to. We encourage you to discuss this with the Talent Acquisition contact or Hiring Manager at Interview. Our How We Work page also includes information on our Smart working approach.
Who can I contact to report a concern of behaviour or process believed to be inappropriate, unethical or illegal?
At AXA we're committed to offering a fair and inclusive experience to all candidates. You're encouraged to report, in good faith, any concerns of behaviour or processes believed to be inappropriate, unethical, or illegal.
Should you wish to report any concerns, you can do this through by sending an email to speak-up@axa.com, AXA’s dedicated hotline. This service is managed by an independent investigation team. Please note that this email address is not for dealing with job or application related queries.
Interview
Interview
I've got an interview! How does it work?
You'll be contacted by someone from our Talent Acquisition team to arrange the date, time, and format of your interview (online or in person). Good luck!
Are interviews online or in person?
This depends on the location of the role, and what works best for you and the interviewer. We'll give you all the information you need to prepare for whichever format’s used for your interview.
I'm struggling to connect to my online interview, what should I do?
Don't worry, we know these things happen. Get in touch with the person who arranged your interview, or the Talent Acquisition contact. One of the team will be able to help get the interview started or re-arrange it for a different time.
How do I get feedback on my interview?
Whenever possible, we’ll call and provide feedback by phone. Sometimes, we’ll need to provide feedback by email.
How can I prepare for my interview?
We'll send a candidate preparation pack before the interview to help you prepare.
How do I tell AXA about considerations to make sure I can access my interview?
The AXA Accessibility Concierge can support you with applying or making any accessibility adjustments to our recruitment process.
Decision
Decision
When will I hear back from you after my interview?
We aim to provide feedback as soon as the interview process allows. The time period will vary depending on the role.
How do I discuss the package I've been offered for a role?
You can discuss the package with your Talent Acquisition contact at offer stage.
Yay! I've got the role, what's next?
We’ll carry out a number of background checks before you start. This is known as 'screening'.
Do you do any background checks?
Yes. All financial services companies, including AXA, are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Being part of a regulated industry means we must check the background of all applicants before we confirm a job offer.
Pre-employment screening is not just regulatory, it also gives us the confidence that our people are the right fit to protect what matters to customers, colleagues, and our business.
- Who is screened? Everyone, from first-jobbers to senior directors! Often, the higher up the career ladder you are, the more stringent the screening becomes.
- What is screened? Identity and address; qualifications; employment history; credit check; criminal record; directorships.
If you think anything may affect these checks, please tell us.
What benefits or perks do you offer?
At AXA, we appreciate the people who work for us and regularly review our rewards package to reflect that. The advert for the role you’re interested in will detail what you can expect to receive, but you can see an overview of our benefits and perks on our Why Join Us page.
Does AXA offer car allowance or a company car?
This depends on the grade, role, and eligibility of the employee. Check the benefits listed on the ad for the role you’re interested in or confirm with your recruitment contact.
How we work
We know one size doesn't fit all so depending on our customer's needs, your unique circumstances and how your team operates we offer a blend of home and office-based working.
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