At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive financial performance and support strategic decisions in a dynamic law firm.
- Company: Award-winning international law firm with a flexible and supportive culture.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, gym membership, and more.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a trusted adviser and make a real impact on business growth.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong commercial acumen and analytical skills.
Our client is an international law firm with offices in New York & London. They are an award-winning practice featuring in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For and numerous other industry specific awards.
They have a flexible benefits package that includes 25 days holiday with ability to buy more, in-house doctor, good pension scheme, private medical insurance, subsidised gym membership and dental cover.
The Finance Business Manager/Partner Role is a trusted commercial adviser responsible for improving financial performance, strengthening commercial discipline, and supporting strategic decision-making through high-quality insight, challenge, and financial leadership.
Working closely with senior stakeholders, the role supports the commercial and operational priorities of assigned practice groups, departments, or business divisions. Through forward-looking analysis, financial planning, and commercially focused advice, the Finance Business Manager/Partner helps drive the achievement of strategic objectives, sustainable growth, and improved business performance.
Responsibilities
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, acting as a trusted strategic adviser on financial and commercial matters.
- Support strategic planning and decision-making through robust, evidence-based financial analysis and recommendations.
- Challenge and support business leaders to improve commercial performance and operational efficiency.
- Drive greater financial awareness and accountability across the business.
- Lead the annual budgeting process, rolling forecasts, and long-term financial planning for assigned departments, divisions or practice groups.
- Deliver insightful analysis on revenue, profitability, utilisation, realisation, pricing, working capital, and cash generation.
- Identify emerging financial risks and opportunities, recommending timely actions to improve business performance.
- Prepare and present high-quality financial reports, highlighting key trends, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.
- Develop financial models, business cases, and scenario analyses to support investment, growth, and strategic initiatives.
- Support profitability reviews at client, matter, partner, team, and practice group level.
- Work with stakeholders to improve pricing discipline, matter profitability, and return on investment.
- Underpinned by a strong understanding of the department, division, or practice's commercial drivers, ensure financial plans and commercial decisions align with departmental priorities, firm strategy, growth objectives, and risk management requirements.
- Support strategic and operational change initiatives by providing data-driven insights and financial guidance.
- Partner with the Revenue Controllers to improve billing performance, debt collection, lock-up management, cash conversion, and overall working capital performance.
- Work closely with colleagues across Finance (particularly, Revenue Control and Finance Operations), peers in Business Development and the People Team, Risk, Technology, international offices, and other central functions to provide integrated commercial support to the business.
Candidate Profile
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with a minimum of 5 years' post-qualified experience.
- Experience in a Finance Business Partner, Finance Business Manager, Commercial Finance, or similar business-facing finance role of 3+ years.
- Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve performance and profitability.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and build credibility at all levels.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large and complex datasets.
- Ability to translate complex financial information into clear insights, practical recommendations, and meaningful business actions.
- Experience using Power BI or similar reporting and data visualisation tools.
- Experience supporting pricing strategies and profitability initiatives within a professional services environment.
Important Notice
It is Career Legal's policy, as a matter of courtesy, to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to respond to individual candidates. If we have not contacted you within three working days your application has been unsuccessful and your details have not been retained. Please apply for any other position that you may see in the future. Thank you.
Career Legal is a Recruitment Agency and is advertising this permanent vacancy on behalf of one of its clients.
Finance Business Manager in London employer: Career Legal
Career Legal is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant Greater London area, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package and a focus on employee development, we provide our team with the tools and opportunities to excel in their careers while ensuring a supportive environment that values attention to detail and expertise in legal finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Manager in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Career Legal. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Career Legal.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Career Legal's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Career Legal
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Career Legal.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Career Legal will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Career Legal employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.