At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management and strategic planning to drive business value and operational efficiency.
- Company: Join a leading automotive company with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, extra holiday days, and well-being initiatives.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and offers excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification and strong experience in financial planning required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Leeds / Hybrid 37.5 hours a week (Monday – Friday)
Accelerate your career with a company that leads the way!
The Manheim Finance Team plays a pivotal role within the broader Cox Automotive UK finance function. As a trusted business partner, our purpose is to provide expert financial support and insight that empowers informed decision‑making, drives business value, and effectively manages risk. Our team delivers a comprehensive suite of services, including:
- Accounting – ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) – offering insight and foresight through budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis
- Business Partnering – working closely with operational teams to support strategic initiatives and drive financial performance
Centrally based at our Head Office in Leeds, we support all locations within the Manheim network, helping to ensure financial excellence and operational efficiency across the UK.
Why Join Us & What’s In It For You?
As a Cox Automotive team member, you’ll have access to a wide range of benefits, including exclusive discounts, cashback offers and our brilliant peer to peer recognition scheme. And there’s even more to enjoy:
- Option to buy additional holiday days
- Your birthday off every year – paid
- One annual Well-Being Day for you to relax and recharge
- One paid Charity Day to give back and support a cause that matters to you
- Opportunities for career progression across the Cox Automotive network
- Competitive pension scheme
About The Role
We’re looking for a commercially minded finance leader to take ownership of financial management, strategic planning, and value creation across the business. This role partners closely with senior leadership, driving insight‑led decision making, disciplined governance, and long‑term growth — all while leading and developing a high‑performing finance team.
What You’ll be Doing
Financial Leadership & Operations
- Oversee all financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and performance presentation to diverse stakeholder groups
- Lead Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) across all business areas, delivering high-quality insights and strategic recommendations
- Develop and maintain robust financial and pricing models to support planning, investment, and decision‑making
Commercial Strategy & Pricing
- Lead pricing strategy for Manheim Auctions customers and Enterprise deals
- Develop pricing and cost models, partnering with Sales and Finance colleagues to demonstrate customer value and profitability
- Identify opportunities for revenue growth, margin improvement, and cost optimisation
Strategy & Value Creation
- Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to shape the long‑term strategic direction of the business
- Play a key role in strategic planning, investment evaluation, and business case development
- Drive value generation through financial insight, operational improvement, and disciplined capital allocation
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Implement and maintain strong governance frameworks supporting financial planning and decision‑making
- Ensure compliance with financial regulations, internal controls, and audit requirements
- Maintain accurate and compliant internal resource capitalisation as a key focus area
- Identify, assess, and manage financial risks with effective mitigation strategies
Technology, Data & Process Improvement
- Leverage existing ERP systems, financial analytics tools, and automation technologies to improve efficiency and reporting quality
- Explore and implement new financial technologies where appropriate
- Ensure strong data governance practices to protect data integrity and security
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance financial accuracy and operational efficiency
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, mentor, and develop the finance operations team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement
- Partner with senior management and cross‑functional teams to provide trusted financial insight and decision support
- Develop and monitor KPIs to measure financial performance, operational efficiency, and non‑financial outcomes
What We’re Looking For
Qualifications
- A professional accounting qualification is essential (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
Experience
- Strong experience in financial planning and analysis within a complex or multi‑stakeholder environment
- Proven ownership of management accounts production, including month‑end processes and performance reporting
- Experience preparing high‑quality financial papers, reports, and presentations for C‑suite and senior leadership audiences
- Demonstrated capability in developing, maintaining, and evolving KPI frameworks and management reporting using Microsoft Excel and/or modern reporting tools such as Power BI
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong people management skills with the ability to lead, coach, and develop high‑performing teams
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a strong attention to detail and commercial mindset
- High proficiency in financial analysis and reporting tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau) and ERP systems such as Coda, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics
- Very strong presentation skills, with advanced capability in the MS Office Suite — particularly PowerPoint and Excel — to drive insight‑led, value‑adding conversations with senior leaders
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels of the organisation
- A collaborative working style, with a proven ability to partner effectively with cross‑functional teams and senior stakeholders
We’re Committed to Inclusion
We are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in all its forms. We are a place where you can be you.
Ready To Join Our Team & Make A Difference?
Apply now and drive your career forward with one of the automotive industry’s most trusted names.
STRICTLY NO AGENCIES PLEASE
We kindly ask that agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We work with a carefully selected and trusted group of recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the recruitment team or directly to a hiring manager. We will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited submissions.
Senior Finance Business Partner in Leeds employer: Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Upper Bruntingthorpe where employees can thrive. With a strong focus on career progression and professional development, the company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. The competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package further enhance the appeal of joining a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to excellence in vehicle logistics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work at Cox Automotive or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your financial analysis skills. Be ready to discuss how you've driven value creation in past roles. We want to see your analytical prowess in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Think of examples where you've led teams or projects successfully. We love candidates who can inspire and develop others while driving financial performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in financial planning and analysis, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can drive insight-led decision-making!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific examples of how you've contributed to financial excellence and operational efficiency in previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of financial analysis, make sure to highlight your analytical abilities. Talk about the tools you’ve used, like Power BI or Excel, and how they’ve helped you deliver high-quality insights. We’re all about data-driven decisions!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get you on board!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cox Automotive
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. Prepare examples of how your insights have led to improved business outcomes.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
When presenting your financial analyses, think about how you can tell a compelling story. Use visuals and clear narratives to explain complex data. Practise summarising your findings in a way that resonates with senior leadership, focusing on the value and impact of your recommendations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong people management skills. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've led and developed teams in the past. Highlight your approach to mentoring and fostering a high-performance culture, as well as any successful collaborations with cross-functional teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role, such as managing financial risks or implementing new technologies, and prepare thoughtful responses that showcase your analytical skills and proactive mindset.
