At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial decisions and support strategic planning in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Join a well-established fashion and lifestyle brand in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to influence key business decisions.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of finance in a fast-paced, multi-channel retail business.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong commercial finance experience and advanced Excel skills.
- Other info: Work closely with senior stakeholders and manage one direct report.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Do you enjoy being at the centre of commercial decision-making in a fast-paced, multi-channel retail business? We're partnering with a well-established fashion and lifestyle brand to appoint a Commercial Finance Manager into its London head office team. This is a highly visible business partnering role, working closely with senior stakeholders across retail, ecommerce, property, and operations to drive performance, challenge thinking, and support strategic decision-making.
Reporting into the Head of Commercial Finance and managing one direct report, you'll play a key role in trade reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and board-level analysis, while acting as a trusted finance partner to non-finance leaders across the business.
What will you be doing?
- Partnering with head office departments to review, forecast, and control overhead spend
- Leading monthly budget reviews with senior stakeholders and agreeing clear action plans
- Delivering insightful analysis to support and challenge commercial and operational decisions
- Overseeing weekly trade reporting across sales, margin, and stock, with detailed variance analysis
- Supporting property decisions including new store proposals, rent reviews, and Capex spend
- Owning commercial input into month-end P&L and balance sheet reviews
- Producing channel, store, territory, and KPI reporting with clear commentary
- Supporting the preparation of the monthly Board pack
- Taking ownership of budgeting, forecasting, and longer-term planning cycles
- Managing and developing one direct report
What would we love to see from you?
- Qualified accountant (CIMA / ACA / ACCA / CA)
- Strong commercial finance and business partnering experience
- Experience working in a multi-site or multi-channel environment
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making
- Solid experience across budgeting, forecasting, and management accounts
- Advanced Excel skills with strong analytical capability
- Background in retail, fashion, or consumer-led businesses
- Exposure to trade reporting, store economics, or property decisions
- Experience operating within a larger group structure
Location: Central London (3 days in office)
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Finance, Analyst, and Accounting/Auditing
Industries: Retail, Retail Apparel and Fashion, and Retail Luxury Goods and Jewelry
Commercial Finance Manager in London employer: Agora Talent
Contact Detail:
Agora Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager in London
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how your skills as a Commercial Finance Manager can align with their goals. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in budgeting, forecasting, and business partnering makes you the perfect fit for the role. Keep it concise but impactful β you want to leave a lasting impression.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager in London
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in budgeting, forecasting, and business partnering, especially in retail or consumer-led environments. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Donβt forget to mention any specific experiences that relate to working with senior stakeholders and driving performance.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of analysis, make sure to showcase your advanced Excel skills and analytical capabilities in your application. We love seeing examples of how you've used data to influence decisions or improve processes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you donβt miss out on any important updates. Plus, itβs super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Agora Talent
β¨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your strong analytical skills. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the retail and fashion sectors, such as margin analysis and overhead control. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to influence decision-making in previous roles.
β¨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills
This role involves working closely with non-finance leaders, so it's crucial to highlight your experience in business partnering. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with senior stakeholders to drive performance and support strategic decisions. Use specific scenarios to illustrate your impact.
β¨Master the Art of Budgeting and Forecasting
Since budgeting and forecasting are key responsibilities, be prepared to discuss your approach to these processes. Share insights on how you've led budget reviews and developed action plans based on your analyses. Highlight any tools or methodologies youβve used to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
β¨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about challenges you've faced in trade reporting or property decisions and how you navigated them. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills during the interview.