Senior Finance Manager – Commercial & FP&A

The Senior Finance Manager – Commercial & FP&A, reporting to the Finance Director, will play a central role in supporting Commonwealth Sport’s mission to deliver impactful, sustainable Games and programmes across the Commonwealth Sport Movement. This role leads financial planning, reporting, and commercial analysis across the organisation, ensuring robust financial stewardship, data-determined decision-making, and strong support for both operational and Multi Games-related delivery.

Working with the Finance Director in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment—including Organising Committees, host governments, CGAs, commercial partners, and international agencies—the postholder will provide high-quality insight, strengthen financial reporting, and help ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Commonwealth Sport.

Commonwealth Sport is an international organisation with responsibility for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games, and for delivering the vision of the Commonwealth Sport Movement: ‘Our Commonwealth, united through sport’. Our mission is to deliver inspirational and impactful Games; to excite and empower Athletes and young people; and to drive equality in sport and society across the Commonwealth.

Established in 1930, the Commonwealth Sport Movement brings together 74 independent nations and territories creating a diverse Commonwealth community of over 2.5 billion individuals, representing one-third of the world’s population. Together the Movement stands as a beacon of unity, diversity, and equality, completely integrating Para athletes, driving gender equality and advocating for legacy and social change through sport.

The next Games take place in Glasgow, Scotland in July/August 2026, followed by the next Commonwealth Youth Games in late 2027. Amdavad, India, has recently been awarded the hosting rights to the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Colleagues work closely with Games organising companies to support delivery and assurance of the Games.

Beyond these major events, Commonwealth Sport diversifies revenues, delivers impactful Sport for Development programmes and manages strategic relationships with our members and key partners. The organisation has a workforce of approximately 35 employees, predominantly based at our Headquarters in London, but with some colleagues based internationally.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Lead the annual budget, quarterly forecasts, and multi-year planning processes for Commonwealth Sport, incorporating Multi Games-cycle forecasting and long-term strategic priorities.
• Develop scenario models for Games delivery budgets, international programmes, and commercial pipelines.
• Build and own monthly and quarterly reporting to support FD’s strategic conversations with the Executive Team, ARC, and Board—ensuring clarity, accuracy, and insight.
• Prepare consolidated reporting across operational budgets, Games-related costs, reserves, funding commitments, and multi-territory activities.
• Oversee variance analysis, performance dashboards, and financial KPIs aligned to Commonwealth Sport’s strategic outcomes.
• Support revenue recognition processes in collaboration with Finance Manager, ensuring accurate treatment aligned to policy and accounting standards.
• Work with the Commercial team to oversee invoicing processes, payment trackers, and commercial schedules.
• Review commercial contracts to assess financial implications, risks, and alignment with Commonwealth Sport policies, seeking external advice only when internal capabilities are exhausted.
• Contribute to completion of the Commercial Finance Checklist, ensuring all commercial arrangements meet compliance and governance expectations.
• Work closely with Organising Committees to agree cost allocations and align revenue-share calculations.
• Build models and lead financial evaluation of commercial opportunities including sponsorship, media rights, licensing, partnerships, and host‑city contributions.
• Support negotiations by providing financial models, due-diligence assessments, and scenario analysis.
• Work closely with Organising Committees and Host CGAs to ensure alignment on revenue targets, cost oversight, and financial risk management.
• Provide financial input on new hosting models, Games feasibility assessments, and long-term pipeline planning.
• Provide financial oversight on Value-In-Kind (VIK) arrangements, ensuring appropriate recognition, valuation, and tracking within financial reporting.
• Oversee grant and funding management, ensuring appropriate controls, monitoring and reporting to partners.
• Lead continuous improvement in processes and systems.
• Manage, support, and mentor finance team members to build capability and resilience.
• Build strong relationships across Commercial and multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Champion a culture of financial discipline, transparency and collaborative working throughout the organisation.

Person Specification

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or international equivalent).
• Significant experience in FP&A, reporting, and commercial finance.
• Strong financial modelling skills and ability to work with complex, multi-year budgets.
• Experience supporting senior leaders, Boards, or governance committees.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to simplify complexity and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and team-development capability.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, internationally-oriented organisation with deadlines linked to Games cycles.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience evaluating commercial opportunities, contracts, and financial risks.
• Experience reviewing commercial agreements, assessing financial implications, and identifying revenue recognition criteria.
• Experience working within charities, not-for-profit, sports, or complex stakeholder-driven organisations.
• Worked ideally in major events, or multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience supporting commercial programmes involving international operations, events, or partners.
• Awareness of tax leakage, FX exposure, and cross-border financial considerations.

Personal Qualities

• Passion for sport, athletes, and the Commonwealth Sport Movement.
• High integrity, sound judgement and commitment to good governance.
• Proactive, solutions-focused and able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Adaptable and comfortable working across cultures, time zones, and dynamic operational environments.
• Able to navigate ambiguity and bring clarity to complex issues.