At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial finance across UK and Europe, driving growth and strategic decisions.
- Company: Join Clarks, a globally recognised brand with over 200 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence key decisions and shape the future of a major brand.
- Other info: Work closely with senior leaders and develop a high-performing finance team.
- Why this job: Be a visible leader in a dynamic environment, making a real impact on business success.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior commercial finance leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
At Clarks, we're transforming our business for the future while building on over 200 years of heritage. As we continue to strengthen our commercial performance across the UK and Europe, we're looking for an influential finance leader to join our senior leadership team. This is not a traditional finance role. We're looking for a commercially minded finance leader who can combine strategic thinking, operational understanding, and leadership presence to help shape the future direction of our business.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Global CFO, you will act as the senior commercial finance partner to the UK & Europe leadership teams, providing insight, challenge and direction across a complex, multi-channel retail business. You'll lead a talented team and play a critical role in driving profitable growth across retail, ecommerce, marketplaces and wholesale channels. This is a highly visible leadership position where you'll be expected to influence decisions, challenge thinking, identify opportunities and help the business execute its strategic ambitions. This role offers the opportunity to operate at the heart of one of the world's most recognised consumer brands, partnering with senior leaders across Finance, Commercial, IT, HR and Operations.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead the commercial finance agenda across the UK and European business.
- Partner senior leaders to improve performance, profitability and decision-making.
- Provide clear financial insight, challenge and recommendations to leadership teams.
- Support investment decisions, business cases and strategic growth initiatives.
- Drive budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning processes.
- Lead and develop a high-performing commercial finance team.
- Identify opportunities to improve margins, productivity and commercial returns.
- Partner cross-functionally to support new stores, ecommerce growth, marketplaces and transformation initiatives.
- Ensure robust financial controls, governance and risk management across the region.
- Act as a trusted deputy and senior leadership presence across the organisation.
What We're Looking For
You'll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant experience operating in a senior commercial finance leadership role. You'll bring:
- A proven track record of commercial finance leadership within retail, ecommerce, wholesale or consumer-facing businesses.
- Strong business partnering experience with executive and senior leadership teams.
- Exceptional commercial acumen and the ability to translate numbers into action.
- Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- The confidence to challenge constructively and drive better business decisions.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to distil complex issues into clear, concise recommendations.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, complex and changing environment.
- Experience across international markets and multi-jurisdiction businesses would be advantageous, as would exposure to business transformation, turnaround or growth environments.
Who Will Succeed Here?
The successful candidate will be more than a technically strong finance professional. You'll be a visible leader, trusted advisor and natural relationship builder. You'll have the credibility to influence at senior levels, the commercial mindset to focus on what matters most, and the resilience to thrive in a dynamic business environment. Most importantly, you'll be someone who enjoys being close to the business, understands how organisations create value, and can help turn financial insight into commercial outcomes.
Why Clarks?
This is a rare opportunity to join a globally recognised brand at a key point in its transformation journey. You'll work directly with senior leaders, shape commercial decisions across multiple markets, and have a genuine opportunity to influence the future success of the business. If you're a commercially driven finance leader looking for a role with visibility, impact and strategic influence, we'd love to hear from you.
Head of Commercial Finance, UK & Rest of Europe in Street employer: Clarks
Clarks in Bracknell offers a dynamic and supportive work environment where employees are encouraged to thrive and grow. With flexible hours and a focus on exceptional customer service, team members can enjoy a fulfilling role that values collaboration and positivity. Join us for a unique adventure in a company with a rich heritage in innovative shoemaking since 1825, where your contributions truly make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Finance, UK & Rest of Europe in Street
✨Tap into Campus Networks
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✨Connect on Professional Platforms
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 Clarks. 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 Head of Commercial Finance, UK & Rest of Europe in Street
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 Clarks.
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 Clarks'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 Clarks
✨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 Clarks.
✨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 Clarks 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 Clarks 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.