Commercial Finance Manager in Bristol

Commercial Finance Manager in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape pricing strategies and improve profitability while supporting key commercial decisions.
  • Company: Join CMS, a leading international law firm with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, generous holidays, and private medical insurance.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career progression in a dynamic, high-performance environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on profitability and growth while engaging with senior leaders.
  • Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in commercial finance or similar roles.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

At CMS, our Commercial Finance team plays a central role in shaping pricing strategy, improving profitability, and supporting commercial decision-making across the business. Working closely with partners, practice group and sector leaders as well as senior business leaders, we help drive sustainable growth in line with the firm's strategy, and ensure the firm delivers value to both clients and the business.

We are looking for a commercially minded and analytically strong Commercial Finance Manager to join our growing team. This is an opportunity to move beyond traditional finance and play a key role in pricing, profitability, client strategy and commercial decision-making within a leading international law firm.

The Role

As a Commercial Finance Manager, you will act as a trusted adviser to partners and senior stakeholders, helping them make better commercial decisions and improve financial performance. Key responsibilities include:

  • Partnering with practice, sector and regional leadership teams to identify opportunities to improve profitability and commercial performance.
  • Supporting the development of pricing strategies and commercial solutions for significant client opportunities, panel appointments and strategic tenders.
  • Building financial models and delivering clear analysis, insight and recommendations to support decision-making.
  • Challenging and influencing stakeholders to improve pricing discipline, matter management and financial outcomes.
  • Delivering training and coaching to partners and fee earners on pricing, profitability, financial management and commercial best practice.
  • Supporting strategic initiatives led by the Head of Commercial Finance and Senior Commercial Finance Managers.
  • Coaching and developing junior members of the team, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing culture.

About You

You are commercially curious, analytically rigorous and confident engaging with senior stakeholders. You enjoy solving complex problems, influencing decision-making and translating financial analysis into practical commercial recommendations. You will ideally have:

  • A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), although this is not essential for candidates with relevant experience.
  • Experience in commercial finance, pricing, FP&A, business partnering or a similar analytical role.
  • Strong financial modelling and analytical skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear and actionable insight.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior decision-makers.
  • A proactive, solutions-focused mindset and a genuine interest in improving commercial performance.
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-performance environment, managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality outputs to demanding deadlines.
  • Experience within legal, professional services or other partnership-based environments would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Why CMS?

This role offers exposure to senior leaders across the firm, involvement in high-profile commercial decisions, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact on profitability and growth. You will join a collaborative team with a strong reputation across the business and a genuine commitment to development and progression.

What’s in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

  • Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
  • Flexible, hybrid working policy
  • Generous bonus scheme
  • Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
  • Holiday exchange scheme
  • Private medical insurance
  • Enhanced parental leave
  • Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.

Commercial Finance Manager in Bristol employer: Cms Cmno Llp

At CMS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Commercial Finance Manager, you will have the opportunity to engage with senior leaders, influence key commercial decisions, and contribute to our commitment to employee development through tailored training and progression opportunities. With a flexible hybrid working policy, competitive salary, and a generous benefits package, CMS is dedicated to supporting your professional growth while ensuring a healthy work-life balance.

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Contact Details:

Cms Cmno Llp Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager in Bristol

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at CMS on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by understanding CMS's pricing strategies and commercial decisions. Show us that you’re not just about numbers; you’re keen on how they impact the business and clients.

Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've influenced decision-making or improved profitability in past roles. We love hearing about real-life experiences.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at CMS.

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager in Bristol

Commercial Acumen
Analytical Skills
Financial Modelling
Stakeholder Management
Pricing Strategy Development
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in commercial finance and pricing strategies. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your analytical prowess!

Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:Since you'll be working closely with senior leaders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication and stakeholder management skills. Share examples of how you've influenced decision-making in previous roles – we love a good story!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your achievements and insights, as this reflects the analytical clarity we value at StudySmarter.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cms Cmno Llp

Know Your Numbers

As a Commercial Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decision-making in the past. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to build financial models and provide actionable insights.

Understand the Business

Familiarise yourself with CMS's pricing strategies and commercial performance goals. Research recent projects or initiatives they've undertaken. This will not only show your interest but also help you articulate how your skills can directly contribute to their objectives.

Engage with Stakeholders

Since the role involves partnering with senior leaders, practice how you would approach challenging conversations. Think of scenarios where you've successfully influenced stakeholders and be prepared to share these experiences. Highlight your communication skills and your ability to build trust.

Show Your Curiosity

Demonstrate your commercially curious mindset by asking insightful questions during the interview. Inquire about their current challenges in pricing or profitability. This shows you're not just there to answer questions but are genuinely interested in contributing to their success.