At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support brand leaders in decision-making.
- Company: Dynamic retail/FMCG company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel and collaboration across global teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving financial performance and strategic initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in business partnering and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
The Senior Business Manager role is the finance business partner to the brand VP/GMs of the UK business, supporting on day-to-day operational issues and P&L management decisions to bigger picture, medium to long term strategic thinking including the preparation of key decks for regional, global and VIP visit presentations. They are the finance representative and as such are the key UK finance contact for Global/EUKEM stakeholders supporting with all global/regional demands for the assigned brand clusters and are responsible for explaining the total financial performance and outlook.
The Senior Business Manager oversees financial long-range planning and strategy, the annual planning cycle and the monthly estimate submission in addition to supporting aspects of the monthly close. Alongside this, the Business Manager provides ongoing commercial support including resource allocation, analysing new initiatives and playing a key role in linking financial and supply chain planning, supporting marketing and external media partners on total consumer facing investment planning with revenue and brand equity goals in mind, and supporting brand GM and marketing team on developing and executing an effective pricing strategy.
They add insight based on analysis of performance, industry dynamics, macro-economic trends and the competitor landscape and link financial reports to business strategies, influencing to ensure key operational, commercial and financial targets are delivered. The Senior Business Manager is a core member of the Finance Team, working collaboratively with fellow Business Partners, brand teams and operational teams to ensure best practice in a role that requires considerable cross-functional interaction with a mix of finance and non-finance stakeholders.
A key responsibility is to own One Stream reporting, ensuring ELC book of records is accurate and correct, working closely with global teams and brand finance to ensure classification at category and channel is aligned to performance. The Senior Business Manager is directly supported by an FP&A resource for which there is line management responsibility as well as support from managed services.
Responsibilities
- Contributes to elements of the strategic direction for the functions
- Evaluates financial impact of strategic choices and suggests alternatives
- Delivers the annual budget and ongoing financial estimates in conjunction with brand teams in line with Global/Regional deadlines and strategic priorities
- Robustly challenges estimates to ensure gaps are identified and addressed, providing objective and independent view
- Controls OPEX and ensures effective resource allocation
- Drives improvements in estimate accuracy
- Drives a commercial approach and understanding, using insightful analysis to drive business change
- Ensures relevant, accurate financial and commercial reporting is delivered by FP&A teams on a timely basis to support business decisions with actionable insights provided
- Understands the competitive pressures that the business faces and their potential implications and provides business alternatives/solutions
- Continually challenges current thinking and makes recommendations on how to optimise business opportunities and minimise risk/cost to the business
- Leads financial discussion in Regional/Global Brand reviews ensuring key issues are surfaced, explained and debated collaboratively
- Provides insight, joining the dots between finance and other data sources for example external economic data, Market data, CRM data etc
- Upholds accounting principles and ensures proper processes are adhered to within the brand teams and FP&A team
- Line management and development of FP&A Resource(s)
- Key member of the UK FP&A Function (comprising brand FP&A, Central FP&A “CoEs” and Regional FP&A), supports department wide initiatives and goals
Qualifications
- Previous business partnering experience with senior leadership, preferably working in a rapidly changing environment (ideally retail/FMCG)
- Excellent stakeholder management skills including relationship building, conflict resolution, influencing with ability to communicate clearly at all levels and explain financial issues to a non-financial audience
- Commercially astute with ability to apply analytical skills beyond the traditional functions of finance and to bring them to bear on a broad range of commercial issues and influence decisions beyond the numbers
- Agile mindset, able to manage deadlines across multiple stakeholders (local and global) in a complex organisation
- Regular travel between both Fareham office (where FP&A team is based) and London office (where brand teams and senior leaders are based) is essential
- Additional hours are required to support key deadlines
Finance Business Partner, Senior Manager in Portsmouth employer: DECIEM
The Estée Lauder Companies is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee growth and development within the dynamic Retail Beauty Industry. Located in Cheshire Oaks, employees benefit from competitive salaries, a commission scheme, generous product discounts, and comprehensive health insurance, all while enjoying a supportive environment that values work-life balance and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner, Senior Manager in Portsmouth
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨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 DECIEM. 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 Finance Business Partner, Senior Manager in Portsmouth
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 DECIEM.
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 DECIEM'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 DECIEM
✨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 DECIEM.
✨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 DECIEM 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 DECIEM 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.
