At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global finance strategies and enhance financial performance across a dynamic architecture practice.
- Company: Join a global architecture firm committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, profit share, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial strategies in a creative and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with extensive FP&A or commercial finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Full-time, permanent contract
About the role
The Head of Commercial Finance is a critical leadership role within a global, multidisciplinary architecture practice. Partnering directly with the CFO and senior leadership teams, the role is responsible for driving financial performance, strategic insight, and operational discipline across a complex, multi-studio, multi-sector international environment. This position will play a central role in strengthening the firm's financial planning and reporting processes, improving global forecasting accuracy, supporting the implementation of the Target Operating Model (TOM), and driving the standardisation and automation of reporting. The role requires a blend of commercial acumen, analytical capability, stakeholder influence, and experience managing financial processes within a project-based professional services business.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the global budgeting and forecasting cycles, ensuring accuracy and clear accountability across all studios and sectors.
- Manage a team of 4-5 Finance Business Partners.
- Produce monthly group reporting packs with variance analysis, margin insights, and utilisation metrics.
- Analyse performance across regions, sectors, and service lines, identifying profitability drivers.
- Support improvements in commercial governance, pricing discipline, and project performance.
- Partner with senior operational leaders to improve resource planning and project controls.
- Ownership and continuous improvement of Planning and Reporting IT Tools.
- Model and analyse strategic initiatives including M&A, expansion, and major platform projects.
- Drive improved cash conversion through forecasting of WIP, debt, invoicing, and collection.
- Enhance FP&A processes, data quality, and financial systems; standardise reporting and dashboards.
- Coach and develop FP&A/Business Partner team members, raising capability across the finance function.
About you
We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications and attributes.
Skills & Experience
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
- Extensive experience in FP&A or commercial finance.
- Strong financial modelling skills, including scenario analysis and valuation.
- Understanding of project-based metrics such as utilisation, margin, WIP, and cost-to-complete.
- Experience in global or multi-entity organisations.
- Strong communication skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience with BI tools, analytics platforms, and ERP systems.
Attributes & Behaviours
- Curious, analytical, and commercially minded.
- Comfortable challenging assumptions constructively.
- Highly organised, resilient, and able to manage competing priorities.
- Collaborative approach with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Values-driven and aligned with the mission of improving the built environment.
Benefits
We offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package that includes an employee profit share scheme, tax efficient smart benefits, private medical insurance, life insurance, long term sickness insurance, interest free season ticket loans, health screening, enhanced maternity and paternity provision, and additional holiday options.
Commitment to Inclusion
BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from a variety of backgrounds and encourage flexible working arrangements.
Head of Commercial Finance in Manchester employer: Building Design Partnership
Building Design Partnership is an exceptional employer that values creativity and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a Bid Manager to thrive. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, BDP fosters a supportive work culture where employees can grow and develop their skills in a dynamic environment. The hybrid working policy allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while contributing to innovative architecture and design projects in the vibrant Greater London area.
Contact Details:
Building Design Partnership Recruitment Team
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