Senior Finance Business Partner - 10 Month FTC

Overview

Home. There's no place like it.

And there's no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that's what we do. We're the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And we've crafted a workplace that feels just as welcoming - where you can bring your ideas, be yourself, and feel right at home.

At Dunelm, our Finance team isn't just about numbers, we're the powerhouse behind smart decisions, smooth operations, and spotting golden opportunities for growth. We balance the books and manage procurement like pros, but we also dive deep into financial data to uncover patterns, trends, and hidden gems that help steer our business forward.

With an approximately 85-strong team, we're just the right size - agile enough that no one gets lost in the crowd (or stuck doing the same thing every day), but big enough to offer real opportunities to grow explore new areas and really challenge yourself. If you think finance is all grey suits and spreadsheets - think again. Here, we're making numbers exciting, decisions smarter, and opportunities bigger.

Work your way, together

We're a hybrid business, which means you'll have flexibility alongside time together with your team. In this role, you can expect 3 days a week in the office or on-site, helping you stay connected, collaborate and do your best work for our customers.

The Business Finance Team is a team of roughly thirty finance professionals, who deliver key outcomes that support Dunelm's operations, to:

• Produce timely and accurate weekly and monthly reports and insight to inform trading and operational control and decision making
• Set targets (in conjunction with business) and provide independent view of forecasts and trends
• Hold business to account to deliver to targets and manage risks and opportunities
• Support and challenge tactical and strategic decision making, including financial appraisal (and post investment appraisal)
• Agitate for optimising profitability and return on investment, and for best use of our resources
• Use our unique viewpoint to join things up, 'unblock' issues and put simple structure around priorities and actions

There are many opportunities for development in the team, both:

• Progression through Analyst, Business Partner, Finance Manager, Senior Finance Manager and Head of; and
• Partnering with the varied parts of Dunelm's business, including Stores, Supply Chain, Digital, Marketing, Tech, Commercial and many more!

About the role

As Senior Finance Business Partner for the business functions you partner, you will lead the support and challenge to your business partners in line with the Business Finance purpose, whilst also ensuring that all requirements for the Dunelm Finance function are delivered.

You will directly partner business stakeholders, have strategic influence and take the finance lead on specific projects, initiatives and focus areas, as well as supporting in all 'business as usual' activities.

Specifically, this role sits within the Costs and Operations Finance team and is responsible for partnering a portfolio of corporate functions. The role will provide financial leadership, challenge and support to senior stakeholders to ensure effective cost management, robust forecasting and informed investment decision-making. A key focus will be driving accountability for expenditure, identifying opportunities to optimise costs and supporting delivery of business objectives while maintaining strong financial control and governance

What you'll be doing

• Partner senior leaders across corporate functions, acting as a trusted adviser and critical friend to support effective decision-making and cost control
• Direct finance ownership and presentation of forecasts
• Ensuring the month-end is closed accurately, timely and in accordance with policies as set by Financial Reporting (P&L and balance sheet)
• Decision support, from tactical decisions up to investment appraisal
• Monitor investments to identify deviations from plans and support with the identification and delivery of corrective actions
• Insight and analysis to better inform decision making, working closely with other teams such as Insight and Analytics
• Embed recently implemented changes in ways of working within finance, identifying and removing blockers
• Challenge and support to business functions and, where relevant, to third party supplier
• Continuously improve the way things are done to create more capacity for value added tasks.

What we’ll look for in you

Essential Skills:

• Commercially minded, with a genuine drive to make a difference and support Dunelm to achieve its growth and profitability targets. Strong commercial judgement and able to make trade-offs where there is uncertainty
• Good verbal and written communication skills, able to condense complex information into clear messages that deliver insight and recommendations
• A good relationship builder, building trust with key stakeholders and able to influence at senior level
• Investment appraisals and post investment reviews
• Strong financial control and governance mindset
• Finance qualified
• Strong Excel skills, able to use various sources of information to draw trends, highlight risks or areas of focus

Desirable Skills:

• Process improvement within finance activities
• Ability to coach / mentor other members of the finance team

Behaviours we look for:

Communicating

Presenting reliable information and providing clear, simple and succinct messages that engage others

Curiosity

A desire to truly understand the business operations and to question why things are done the way they are. Exploring other areas of the business and joining the dots

Adapting

Respond and commit positively to changing needs; encourage others to have a go and be prepared to fail fast and learn from successes and mistakes

Thinking Big

Having a balance between delivering business as usual and focusing on future growth; using data and insight to help forward planning

Challenging

Being a leading voice in your area of expertise. Being bold and confident to provide constructive challenge.

Making It Happen

Controlling what can be controlled and escalating rapidly issues outside of your control. Recognising when something is 'good enough'

D&I statement

Dunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Our commitment to you

Accessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives.

Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you're completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner.

Work your way

We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with.

Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here

From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area - and at every stage - of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Taking opportunities

Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it's a really exciting time to join us.

Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.

At Dunelm, we love every aspect of the design process. We're continually researching new developments in packaging, materials and production methods, tapping into new data insights and keeping track of changing lifestyle trends. We're hugely collaborative in the way we work. Together, the teams here have a direct impact on our success, creating amazing products that drive sales and delight our customers, as well as providing direction for our wide and varied range of brands.

Where you'll be working

Here is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites.

Watermead Business Park, Pontylue Way, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE7 1AD