About the role
Working as part of the Finance Directorates senior management team, this integrated functional business partnering role is responsible for all financial matters relating to the partnered department and as such also being a senior and valued member of that departmental management team. Specifically delivering month end reporting and commentaries, planning responsibilities and commercial support whilst ensuring appropriate controls and financials disciplines are in place as well as provision of day to day finance support. Providing insight and challenge to enhance decision making and improve commercial outcomes. Furthermore, review reporting and (including project accounting) and ensure appropriate detail is in place to help guide the business and track improvements. This requires active relationship building whilst pro-actively seeking out opportunities to enhance the financial performance of the business in a fast-paced environment. Whilst the role has analyst support - and therefore management skills ar
Role Responsibilities
Commercial Decision Support
1. Work hand in glove with Director & senior management team whilst maintaining commercial objectivity – pro- actively providing financial analysis & information to enable the team to make the right decisions
2. Actively seek out opportunities to improve business performance and obtain buy in along the way
3. Commercial awareness to credibly challenge decision making & address KPI performance
4. Develop and maintain appropriate schedules for financial performance, financial simulations, business cases and project accounting. Hold the department to account on the commitments
5. Ensure appropriate reporting is in place and provide insight into KPI’s – ensuring these are aligned to the business objectives.
Financial Planning & Forecasting
6. Deliver regular financial forecasts and budgets including packs and supporting analysis – ensuring appropriate reviews are in place and business buy in is obtained
7. Own the forecast timetable and ensure all reviews and deadlines are maintained and stakeholders managed and updated accordingly
8. Ensure process is aligned to wider FGH planning cycle and proactively drive the integration and implementation of seasonal planning within the business function
9. Actively seek out opportunities to improve and simplify the forecast process – including cash flow and balance sheet dimensions
10. Work with FP&A the stakeholders to consolidate forecasts and enhance understanding
11. Deliver weekly latest views for the relevant area ensure the function is aligned on that view
Month End Reporting and Commentaries
12. Deliver accurate and timely month end accounts with commentaries. Work with business stakeholders to ensure variances are understood and risks and opportunities actioned
13. Liaise with reporting teams to ensure numbers are understood and onward commentary is provided, appropriate, timely, on format and is insightful
14. Deliver balance sheet reconciliations including risks and opps
15. Manage Internal and External Audit interaction and ensure appropriate schedules in place
Leadership & Relationships
16. Finance representative within senior team forums
17. Appropriate staff management, undertaking and contributing to regular one to one’s, and the annual performance management processes
18. Build relationships across the business & Group – earning trust in the business department and displaying the FGH values
19. Provide financial leadership and ensure controls & disciplines are adhered to.
20. Keep close relationship with reporting team to ensure understanding of actuals vs forecast & potential risks and opportunities
Miscellaneous
21. Deputise for Head of Finance
22. Supplementary ad hoc tasks as they arise
23. To be committed to good outcomes for customers at all times
24. Ensure compliance with all applicable UK and local regulations, Company Policies and FCA Conduct Rules
25. Demonstrate behaviours in line with company values
26. To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by acts and omissions at work
About you
Role Related Skills, Specialist Knowledge and Experience
Essential
27. Good commercial understanding of business and retailing. (K)
28. Previous role held, work placement or part time role in a commercial or retail environment. (E)
29. Business partnering experience with strong sense of customer focus and objective challenge
30. To be Professionally Qualified with 2 yrs PQE – internal candidates may be considered at a lower level of PQE with appropriate experience
31. Production of month end accounts
32. Production of end to end budgets / forecast
33. Retail or consumer business experience
34. Strong Excel & modelling skills, tables, spreadsheets, graphs etc
35. Excellent communication & organisational skills
36. Ability to understand key business cost drivers, experience of profitability and decision support modelling
37. Ability to forge effective business relationships with colleagues across the business at all levels
38. Good relationship building skills but ability to be objective and to challenge in a positive manner
39. Attention to detail and ability to deliver reporting and budgeting to timetable
40. Staff management skills if responsible for team members
Qualifications & Professional Development/Memberships
41. Financial Qualification, CIMA, ACCA, ACA
42. Maths and English grade C or above, or equivalent.
Personal Attributes
43. Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines with high levels of accuracy
44. Personable but professional – good relationship building skills