Finance Manager - Central Costs & Controls

The Central Costs & Controls Manager will ensure the integrity, accuracy, and insightful analysis of all central cost accounting and financial planning activities executed by our outsourced finance provider. Overseeing the UK financial controls framework, you will provide critical oversight, direction, and assurance across the framework, bridging the gap between UK leadership, remote execution teams, and senior business stakeholders to maintain robust financial control and drive continuous process improvement across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Partnering – support the Head of Finance Operations with the critical review and validation of all Central Costs submissions, confirming costs and benefits before submission and working with key business stakeholders across the business.
• Planning & Forecasting – direct and coordinate all central function planning activities, including the annual budget and rolling forecasts, ensuring data integrity, reporting outputs, and liaison with senior business owners.
• Cost Analysis & Savings – oversee regular reviews of all central expenditure, challenging findings to proactively identify anomalies and recommend significant cost savings or process improvements.
• Month-End Accounting – direct and review the outsourced team’s month-end close processes for Central Costs, verifying P&L accuracy and ensuring reported spend genuinely reflects activities incurred within the period.
• Balance Sheet Integrity – own the integrity of all Central Balance Sheet accounts, providing direction and review of the outsourced team’s maintenance activities.
• Capital Governance – establish and enforce robust financial governance across all Assets Under Construction (AUC) for Central functions.
• Process Efficiency – drive continuous improvement, ensuring clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all central cost areas are maintained and updated promptly; work with the team to identify opportunities for automation and/or process improvement.
• Maintain Financial Controls Framework – undertake an annual scoping exercise to ensure all key controls remain relevant.
• Assurance Planning – design and implement a robust annual assurance plan for UKI financial controls, ensuring all key financial risks are adequately covered and tested.

Required Qualifications

• ACCA, CIMA, ACA qualification or equivalent.
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Strong people leadership with a focus on influencing.
• Networking skills across multiple functions, business units, and external stakeholders.
• Commercial acumen with operational delivery experience.
• Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management.
• Relationship management with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Ability to work with ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills; analyse complex data to recommend optimal solutions.
• Results-focused mindset.
• Strong programme management and organisational skills.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday entitlement.
• Private medical insurance.
• Life assurance.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Access to discretionary bonus.
• Hybrid working; primary campus at Waterloo (WeWork).

Why Join Us

We are committed to supporting your career growth with ongoing training, new opportunities, and a supportive environment. We value inclusion and diversity, offering a fair application experience and assistance if needed. Apply to help us shape the future of tech retail and make a positive impact on people and the planet.