At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial finance and FP&A, driving performance and profitability in a creative agency.
- Company: High-growth advertising and media agency in London with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £120,000 plus bonus, hybrid working, and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial performance in a respected, evolving agency.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in commercial finance and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of commercial finance in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
Goodman Masson are partnering with a well-established, high-growth advertising and media agency to appoint a Head of Commercial Finance. This is a senior, visible position, sitting at the heart of the business and working closely with the executive team to drive commercial performance, margin optimisation and decision-making across a complex, multi-service agency environment.
The Opportunity
As Head of Commercial Finance, you’ll own the commercial finance and FP&A agenda end-to-end, acting as a trusted business partner to senior stakeholders across client services, strategy and operations. You’ll play a critical role in shaping pricing strategy, improving profitability, and ensuring the business has robust forecasting, planning and insight to scale sustainably. This role would suit someone who enjoys operating close to the commercial engine of a creative business, translating financial insight into clear, practical actions that improve performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commercial finance and FP&A functions, providing insight and challenge to the executive and senior leadership teams
- Own forecasting, budgeting and long-range planning, with a strong focus on revenue, utilisation, margin and cost control
- Partner with senior stakeholders across client teams to drive commercial discipline and margin improvement
- Develop and evolve pricing models, client profitability analysis and commercial frameworks
- Drive improvements in MI, reporting and commercial KPIs to support faster, better decision-making
- Support new business activity, contract reviews and major commercial negotiations
- Build, mentor and develop a high-performing commercial finance and FP&A team
About You
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Proven experience leading commercial finance and/or FP&A within an agency, media, professional services or project-based environment
- Strong understanding of revenue models, utilisation, margin management and forecasting
- Confident operating at senior leadership level, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively
- Commercially minded, pragmatic and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Why Apply?
- Senior leadership role with genuine influence over commercial and financial performance
- High-profile position in a respected, growing agency environment
- Opportunity to shape and evolve both the commercial finance and FP&A functions
If you’re a commercially driven finance leader looking for a role with real impact in a creative, client-focused business, we’d love to hear from you.
Head of Commercial Finance employer: Goodman Masson
Contact Detail:
Goodman Masson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Finance
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks who work at your dream agency. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in commercial finance and FP&A. Share specific examples of how you've driven margin improvement or shaped pricing strategies in previous roles. Let them see the value you can bring!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Understand the agency's business model, their clients, and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs, especially around forecasting and budgeting. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and making an impact in the commercial finance space.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Commercial Finance. Highlight your experience in commercial finance and FP&A, especially in agency or media environments. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven commercial performance and improved profitability in previous positions. Let us see your passion for the role!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior position, we want to know about your leadership style. Mention any teams you've built or mentored, and how you've influenced decision-making at a senior level. This will help us understand your approach to leading a high-performing team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Goodman Masson
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Commercial Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key figures like revenue models, margin management, and forecasting techniques. Be ready to discuss how you've used these insights to drive commercial performance in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team and influencing senior stakeholders. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully mentored teams in the past. Think about specific instances where your guidance led to improved performance or decision-making.
✨Understand the Agency Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the advertising and media industry, especially the unique challenges it faces. Be prepared to discuss how you can apply your commercial finance expertise to enhance profitability and support new business activities within this context.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think through potential challenges related to pricing strategies or margin optimisation and be ready to share your thought process on how you would tackle them effectively.