At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive financial insights and support strategic decisions in a growing residential development company.
- Company: Sustainable residential developer based in Oxford with strong institutional backing.
- Benefits: Annual bonus, generous leave, pension scheme, healthcare, and life insurance.
- Why this job: Join a hands-on team and make a real impact on sustainable development projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in property or development finance.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and autonomy.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A well-capitalised residential developer based in Oxford is quietly scaling its platform. Backed by long-term institutional capital and guided by a strong sustainability ethos, the business is entering an exciting phase of growth and is seeking a Commercial Finance Manager to join its senior finance team.
Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a commercially focused role at the heart of the organisation. You will provide the financial insight that shapes strategic decisions, supports funding activity and underpins long-term growth.
The role involves working closely with senior leadership, land and development teams, with responsibilities including:
- Business Planning & Financial Analysis
- Owning and maintaining the group business plan, covering short-, medium- and long-term forecasts
- Developing scenario and sensitivity analysis to support strategic decision-making and navigate market uncertainty
- Updating forecasts for live sites and new acquisitions in line with current market conditions
- Producing clear, insightful reporting packs for senior leadership, highlighting trends, risks and opportunities
- Development Appraisal & Modelling
- Building and maintaining detailed development appraisal models, incorporating land, build costs, phasing, sales rates and funding structures
- Supporting land acquisitions through financial analysis and board/investment committee materials
- Stress-testing appraisals and assumptions throughout the land and planning lifecycle
- Monitoring project performance against budgets and forecasts, identifying variances early
- Funding & Investment Support
- Supporting the CFO with project-level debt and equity funding, including detailed cashflow modelling
- Preparing financial materials for lenders, investors and joint venture partners
- Working with external advisers to progress funding transactions through to completion
- Providing robust analysis to support covenant monitoring and drawdown processes
- Reporting, Systems & Process Improvement
- Collaborating with the wider finance team to ensure forecasts align with accounting standards and policies
- Supporting audit, going concern and investor reporting requirements
- Helping to strengthen systems, models and controls as the business scales
- Promoting financial understanding across non-finance teams
This opportunity will suit a qualified accountant with experience in property or development finance who enjoys working in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment. You will be comfortable building models from scratch, communicating complex analysis clearly, and working autonomously while remaining highly collaborative. A genuine interest in sustainable development and long-term value creation is important.
What's on offer:
- Annual bonus of up to 10%, aligned to a 30 June year-end (pro-rated in year one, paid in September)
- 25 days' annual leave, including Christmas shutdown (increasing by 1 day every 2 years up to 30 days)
- Option to purchase up to 5 additional days' leave (capped at 30 days total)
- Salary sacrifice pension with matched contributions up to 5%
- Octopus EV salary sacrifice scheme
- Sovereign Healthcare salary sacrifice scheme
- Vitality private healthcare
- Life insurance at 2x annual salary
- Onsite parking
If you are interested in the opportunity please apply now alternatively get in touch for a confidential conversation.
Commercial Finance Manager in Bicester employer: Deverell Smith
Contact Detail:
Deverell Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager in Bicester
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Commercial Finance Manager role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of how you've tackled financial analysis or developed models in past roles. We want to see your expertise shine through!
✨Ask Smart Questions
During interviews, come prepared with insightful questions about the company’s growth plans and sustainability ethos. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you stand out from the crowd.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and puts you one step closer to joining our exciting journey in the property development sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager in Bicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Finance Manager. Highlight your experience in property or development finance, and don’t forget to showcase your skills in financial analysis and modelling. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about sustainable development and how your background aligns with our ethos. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story that connects your experience to our mission.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight specific examples where you've used your analytical skills to drive business decisions. Whether it's through scenario analysis or financial modelling, we want to see how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to attach all your documents in one go. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Deverell Smith
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to property and development finance. Be ready to discuss how you've used financial analysis to influence strategic decisions in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Modelling Skills
Since building and maintaining development appraisal models is crucial for this role, prepare to talk about your experience with financial modelling. Bring examples of models you've created or improved, and be ready to explain your thought process behind them.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current market conditions in residential development. Research recent trends and challenges in the industry, and think about how they might impact the company's strategy. This will show that you're proactive and have a genuine interest in sustainable development.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll need to convey complex financial information to non-finance teams. Practice explaining your past analyses and reports in simple terms. During the interview, focus on clarity and ensure you can articulate your insights effectively to various stakeholders.