At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive change by solving complex financial questions and leading cross-functional initiatives.
- Company: Join a €15 billion company at the forefront of industrial AI.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid work, inclusive culture, and rapid career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment where your ideas can reshape the future of finance.
- Why this job: Work directly with the CFO and influence major business decisions.
- Qualifications: Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation; finance experience not required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The mandate is to sit beside the CFO of a €15 billion company. Find the problems that matter, build the case, and drive the change. IFS is approaching €2 billion in revenue and growing more than 20% a year because we bet earlier and harder on industrial AI than anyone in our category. This role exists to find the friction, frame the question, and drive the answer through to something that actually changes.
What you'll own:
- Answer the unowned questions: Build or buy? Enter this vertical — at what cost, for what return? Where is margin actually made and lost? How far can AI rewire our own cost base?
- Identify what's broken and drive it to fixed. You'll carry two or three major cross-functional initiatives at any time — not as a contributor, but as the owner.
- Build the case — and present it: Long-range plan, M&A and partnership analyses, capital allocation, board and investor materials.
- Reinvent how the work gets done: Find what's slow or wrong in how we forecast, report, and decide, and rebuild it.
Why it's rare:
You’ll work directly with the CFO of a €15B+ company at the moment it reshapes itself around industrial AI — in the room with the board and investors, close enough to move the decisions, early enough to build a foundation almost no one gets.
Qualifications:
We're hiring for one thing above all: the ability to take a question you've never seen, with messy data and real money riding on it, and make real progress in hours. You break problems down, find the load-bearing assumption, and pressure-test your own logic before anyone else can.
You’ll also bring:
- Force of personality: You move people and things.
- Crazy ambition: You're not here for a tidy career step.
- A builder's instinct in an AI world: You see where agentic AI changes what's possible and you go make it real.
- Quantitative intuition: Fluent in the numbers, and faster to sense when one is wrong.
- Clarity under ambiguity: You hold open-ended problems without freezing and land the answer crisply.
- Judgment: Your analysis stays honest when the answer is inconvenient, and discreet when it's sensitive.
You do not need finance experience. No finance degree, no FP&A, no banking, no specific tool. We'll teach you the finance. We can't teach the thinking — so we don't try.
This is the same problem set you solved at the partner's side on a BCG, McKinsey, or Bain case team — except you own the recommendation, you live with the outcome, and you're not handing the deck to someone else to execute.
Additional Information:
We embrace flexibility and hybrid work opportunities to support diverse needs and lifestyles, while also valuing inclusive workplace experiences. By fostering a sense of community, we drive innovation, strengthen connections, and nurture belonging.
Strategic Finance Manager employer: IFS
IFS is an exceptional employer, offering the unique opportunity to work directly alongside the CFO of a €15 billion company at the forefront of industrial AI innovation. With a strong emphasis on flexibility, hybrid work, and a culture that fosters community and collaboration, employees are empowered to drive meaningful change and take ownership of impactful projects. The environment encourages personal growth and ambition, making it an ideal place for those looking to shape their careers while contributing to transformative initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Finance Manager
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like IFS. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to IFS.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on IFS's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at IFS
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with IFS.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at IFS will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former IFS employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
