At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and influence key investment decisions for a growing crematoria business.
- Company: Join Life Services Group, a leader in end-of-life care with a mission to support families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, healthcare, and a strong focus on career development.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a meaningful industry while shaping the future of a successful business.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in commercial finance and P&L ownership within a complex organisation.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire (Hybrid flexible working, 3 days on-site)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Up to £90,000 per annum
Help shape the future of one of the UK's most successful and growing crematoria businesses. Life Services Group has brought together some of the UK's most recognised end-of-life brands under a single vision: to support families through every stage of planning for and navigating life's most difficult moments. As part of this evolution, we are investing heavily in the future growth of our Crematoria business, an already successful and profitable division with ambitious plans for expansion in the years ahead.
This is an opportunity to join that journey at a pivotal moment and become the senior finance partner helping shape its future direction. This is not a reporting role. This is a genuinely strategic Commercial Finance leadership opportunity where you'll sit alongside senior operational and finance leaders, influence major investment decisions and provide the commercial insight that drives growth, profitability and long-term business performance.
The opportunity
As Commercial Finance Manager, you'll be the lead finance partner to the Crematoria Managing Director and leadership team, owning the full divisional P&L and acting as the financial voice behind some of the business's most important decisions. You'll be responsible for shaping strategy, leading forecasting and budgeting cycles, assessing investment opportunities, building business cases and helping the business identify where to invest, grow and improve performance. This includes supporting decisions around estate growth, site development, operational performance and commercial opportunities across the division. As our crematoria network continues to evolve, your work will directly influence how and where the business grows over the coming years.
What makes this role exciting?
This is a rare opportunity to join a profitable business unit that already performs strongly but has significant growth ambitions ahead. You'll partner directly with senior leadership, have visibility across key strategic initiatives and play a critical role in helping the business make informed investment and commercial decisions. Unlike many business partnering roles, your recommendations won't sit in a report. They will directly influence the future direction of the business. You'll also be joining during an exciting period for Life Services Group as we bring our businesses together under a unified strategy, creating greater collaboration, investment and long-term opportunity across the Group.
What you'll be doing
- Owning the full divisional P&L and capital expenditure planning.
- Leading budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning activity.
- Acting as key finance partner to the Managing Director and leadership team.
- Building robust business cases to support investment and growth initiatives.
- Providing commercial challenge and strategic insight to senior stakeholders.
- Leading monthly performance reviews and translating data into meaningful actions.
- Supporting estate expansion, revenue growth initiatives and operational performance improvement.
- Presenting insights and recommendations to ELT and Executive stakeholders.
What we're looking for
We are specifically seeking an experienced senior commercial finance professional. To be successful, you must already have substantial experience owning a full P&L within a complex, operational or multi-site business environment. You will have operated as a trusted business partner to senior stakeholders and be comfortable influencing, challenging and supporting leadership teams on critical commercial decisions. This role requires somebody who can arrive and immediately add value at a senior level.
We're particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
- Proven ownership of a full divisional or business P&L.
- Significant experience within a complex multi-site organisation.
- Direct partnership with Managing Directors, ELT, SLT, C-Suite or Board-level stakeholders.
- Strong commercial judgement and business partnering capability.
- Experience leading budgeting, forecasting and performance review cycles.
- A track record of developing investment cases and supporting business growth decisions.
- The confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior decision-making.
Rewarding leadership with real impact and progression
As a key contributor to our business, you'll benefit from a package that reflects your impact, supports your wellbeing and helps you continue to grow your career with us.
- Time to recharge - 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, giving you the space to rest and maintain balance.
- Supporting you on the move - £4,500 car allowance (role dependent) to support travel where required.
- Rewarding your impact - Opportunity to earn up to 10% annual bonus, recognising your contribution to business performance.
- Healthcare when it matters - Private medical cover for you, offering reassurance and quicker access to treatment.
- Planning for your future - 4% matched pension contribution to help build long-term financial security.
- Peace of mind - Life assurance cover at 2x your salary to support your loved ones.
- Everyday savings and perks - Access to MyStaffShop, our employee rewards platform, offering savings across high street and online retailers.
- Support when you need it - 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health services and confidential counselling.
- Growing your career - A strong focus on development, progression and building leadership capability across the business.
- Additional wellbeing benefits - Including eyecare support, flu jab reimbursement and lifestyle discounts.
- Making work easier - Free on-site parking available at most of our locations.
What are the next steps?
If this sounds like the next step in your career and you're ready to support families and lead with professionalism, simply hit the 'apply' button. A member of our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.
Why Life Services Group
Life Services Group exists to help every family in Britain navigate the hardest moments of life. We bring together trusted names across funeral services, crematoria and cemeteries, legal services, direct cremation and wills, including Dignity Funeral Directors, CMG, Simplicity Cremations, Dignity Legal Services and Farewill, so families can get more of the support they need in one place. Our ambition is to support one in three families across the UK as they plan for, navigate and deal with death. We want to set a new standard for care, service and simplicity across the sector.
Death is part of life, and being there for families when it matters is what we do. That means making difficult moments feel more supported, more straightforward and more human. We are building a modern group that supports families at every stage, from planning ahead with wills and funeral plans, to arranging a funeral, cremation or burial, and managing probate afterwards. This is a defining moment for our business. With stronger foundations, clearer strategy and real momentum, we can change end-of-life care for the better.
We are modernising how we work, investing in our colleagues and technology, and helping more families than any one brand could alone. Wherever you work in Life Services Group, in one of our local teams, specialist brands or group functions, you'll be part of work with meaningful purpose. You will help families through some of life's hardest and most important moments. Across all our brands, we want colleagues to grow with us through better training, stronger support, modern tools and clearer opportunities to build skills and confidence.
You'll be part of teams who care deeply about what they do, look out for each other and take pride in doing work that matters. You will also help shape the future of end-of-life care. That means making support simpler, more connected and more human for families, while each brand keeps the identity, expertise and community connection people already know and trust.
If you want a career with meaningful purpose, room to grow with us and the chance to shape the future, find your Life's work.
FCA Statement
Dignity is part of a group that includes FCA-regulated activities, and some roles may be subject to relevant training, screening, conduct, and regulatory requirements. This will be confirmed as part of the recruitment process.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Our Vision is to connect with our clients, colleagues, company and communities based on our principles whilst celebrating our differences. We aim to empower leaders and colleagues to seek out and understand new voices and perspectives; to be vocal about inequity and exclusion, and to take decisive, informed and bold action to promote inclusion and belonging.
Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate, and no fees will be payable. We reserve the right, depending on application numbers, to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.
Commercial Finance Manager - CMG employer: Dignity Funerals Limited
A Spicer & Sons Funeral Directors is an exceptional employer that values compassion and professionalism in the sensitive field of funeral services. Located in Harrow, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth, providing opportunities for continuous training and development. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying competitive benefits and a fulfilling career path.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager - CMG
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
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Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Dignity Funerals Limited.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Dignity Funerals Limited. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager - CMG
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Dignity Funerals Limited how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dignity Funerals Limited
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
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If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Dignity Funerals Limited.
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✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Dignity Funerals Limited's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!