At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial reporting and planning in a dynamic media environment.
- Company: Join Hearst UK, a leading premium publisher shaping culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health perks, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced media business.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong commercial finance experience.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are the UK's leading premium publisher, home to iconic and influential media brands including Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Men's & Women's Health, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and Prima & Red. At Hearst UK, we don't just create content - we shape culture. Our workplace is built on collaboration, creativity, and trust. We champion bold ideas, embrace innovation, and continually evolve to meet the moment - all while celebrating the legacy that's brought us here. We believe in each other's potential and push boundaries together to make a meaningful impact, both in the media landscape and in people's lives.
Hearst UK operates a hybrid working model of four days per week in the office and one day working from home. Our office is based at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 4AJ, where teams collaborate in person and connect across brands and functions.
This is a high-impact and commercial Senior Commercial Finance Manager role at the centre of a fast-paced media business, with responsibility for advertising and diversified revenue streams and margin. You will lead the full reporting and planning cycle and build a high-performing team. Success in this role means combining technical excellence with sharp commercial judgement and the confidence to influence at senior levels. You will own the financial narrative, partnering senior stakeholders to drive performance, challenge decisions and unlock value. This role is suited to a commercially minded finance leader who wants to operate at pace, influence decisions and make a measurable impact on business performance.
Main Duties- Financial Leadership & Reporting
- Own month-end close end-to-end, delivering accurate, high-quality reporting and insight.
- Take full accountability for balance sheet integrity and produce concise, insight-led management accounts and forecasts, with clear drivers and actions.
- Set the standard for reporting quality across your team and ensure deadlines are consistently met.
- Planning & Forecasting
- Lead budget and forecasting for your business unit, delivering robust, data-led forecasts and continuously improving accuracy.
- Work with stakeholders to ensure forecasts are accurate and that risks and opportunities are understood and tracked.
- Challenge assumptions and provide a clear view on performance trajectories.
- Business Partnering & Commercial Insight
- Partner senior stakeholders to shape decisions and drive performance.
- Own financial input into strategic and investment decisions and business cases.
- Partner with senior leadership to shape business strategy and long-term direction.
- Translate financials into clear, compelling narratives that influence outcomes.
- Identify and quantify opportunities across revenue, cost and margin.
- Develop a deep understanding of the business model and proactively challenge to deliver better results.
- Team Leadership
- Lead, develop and inspire a team of 3 direct reports, setting clear expectations and managing priorities.
- Review outputs to maintain quality, build capability and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Process Improvement & Systems
- Drive smarter, faster reporting through automation, AI-enabled reporting, system enhancements and tools such as Power BI.
- Develop deep understanding of Salesforce and AdPoint to ensure reliable reporting.
- Lead or contribute to finance transformation initiatives.
- Experience & Qualifications
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent).
- Strong track record in a commercial finance or management accounting role.
- Proven experience leading teams and delivering through others.
- Prior experience in a media organisation with strong exposure to revenue and margin is desirable.
- General Skills & Capabilities
- Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Strong analytical capability with a focus on insight and action.
- Clear, confident communicator able to simplify complexity.
- High standards of accuracy, control and delivery.
- Behavioural Attributes
- High ownership and accountability – you deliver what you commit to.
- Proactive, decisive and solutions-oriented.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Curious and commercially driven, with a focus on impact.
- Hearst Exclusives – Only for You!
- Get adventurous with Good Housekeeping Taste and Beauty Testing Panels – yes, you could be trying the next big thing in beauty, food & drink.
- Snag luxe beauty steals at our legendary office sample sales – score big on top brands without breaking the bank!
- Inclusion, Health & Wellbeing: Feel Your Best
- Stay healthy with Specsavers eye care, a company-funded Health Cash Plan, and access to mental health support.
- Get active and stress-free with discounted gym memberships and the Cycle to Work scheme.
- Embrace flexibility with a Location Flex and Holiday Exchange to take time when you need it.
- Take time to give back with a Charity Day and access wellbeing resources whenever you need them.
- Join one of our Hearst ERG Groups.
- Financial Wellness - Boost Your Budget
- Plan ahead with a generous Workplace Pension, Income Protection, Life Assurance and Season Ticket Loan for easier commuting.
- Make smarter money moves using Salary Finance tools, Financial Wellbeing sessions, and Home Tech benefits to spread costs.
- Treat yourself with major discounts across London plus everyday savings via the HAPI at Hearst app.
Hearst UK is deeply committed to using our influential brands to reflect the world we want to live in – one that respects, protects, represents and uplifts the voices and opinions of all people. As a business, we recognise the significant benefits of creativity, collaboration and innovation that comes with diverse teams. Not only is diversifying the voices in our organisation the right thing to do, but it also helps us to make powerful and exciting content that can be enjoyed by many more people. This is why we're working to build a sense of true belonging within our business and foster a culture in which everyone feels heard.
Senior Commercial Finance Manager employer: Hearst UK
Contact Detail:
Hearst UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and media sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their financial strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who can truly add value!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Senior Commercial Finance Manager. Use specific examples that highlight your commercial acumen and leadership skills to impress those senior stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our dynamic team at Hearst UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Commercial Finance Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in commercial finance and team leadership, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and made an impact in previous roles, especially in a media context.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: In your application, be sure to demonstrate your strong commercial acumen and analytical capabilities. We want to see how you’ve used data to inform decisions and drive results, so include any relevant metrics or achievements.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Hearst UK!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hearst UK
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Commercial Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the media industry, such as revenue streams and margin analysis. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team, so be ready to share examples of how you've developed and inspired others. Think about specific instances where you set clear expectations or fostered a culture of accountability. Highlight your ability to manage priorities effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and commercial judgement. Prepare scenarios where you've had to challenge assumptions or provide insights that shaped business strategy. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Hearst UK's values and workplace culture. They emphasise collaboration, creativity, and trust. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of shaping culture through media.