At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform financial data into strategic insights and coach non-finance teams.
- Company: Join Ipsos’ dynamic Commercial Finance team making a real impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Influence profitability using cutting-edge AI tools and financial analysis.
- Qualifications: Strong Excel skills and a passion for coaching others.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a commercially minded finance professional who loves translating numbers into strategic decisions? Do you enjoy coaching non-finance teams, influencing pricing and forecasts, and using data (including AI tools) to improve profitability across multiple service lines? Join Ipsos’ Commercial Finance team and make a tangible impact.
About the role
Join a Commercial Finance team providing dedicated financial support to 18 service lines across the UK. As the primary Finance Business Partner for your service lines you’ll translate financial performance into clear, operational insight that helps non-finance leaders make better decisions on pricing, scoping, resource allocation and investment prioritisation. You’ll review proposals and bids to surface financial risk and opportunity, provide proactive month-end commentary, run “what-if” scenarios, and recommend process improvements to tighten project financial controls and forecasting accuracy. This role combines hands-on modelling and analysis with stakeholder coaching and client-facing planning meetings. You’ll partner closely with Service Line leaders and the Service Line Finance Director on business cases, annual planning and ad-hoc analysis. Expect a varied, high-impact role where your commercial insight — supported by Excel, BI tools and AI-enabled workflows — will directly influence profitability and the way projects are run.
About you
- Commercially minded with a track record of translating finance into operational decisions.
- Strong communicator who can explain financial concepts clearly to non‑finance colleagues and influence stakeholders.
- Excellent Excel modeller (pivot tables, lookups, scenario/sensitivity analysis) with a clear file-structuring habit.
- Proficient in using and adopting AI tools to automate tasks, accelerate analysis and generate actionable insights.
- Comfortable working in a fast-moving environment, prioritising multiple deadlines and delivering accurate month‑end commentary.
- Curious, collaborative and service-oriented with a desire to coach others and drive continuous improvement.
Essential skills
- Strong Excel modelling and analysis skills (pivot tables, lookups, scenario/sensitivity modelling).
- Commercial acumen: ability to assess pricing, cost structures, margins and profit levers.
- Clear verbal and written communication for non‑finance audiences; strong stakeholder management.
- Organisational ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver accurate, timely financial reporting.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in financial analysis and commentary.
- Demonstrable proficiency in adopting AI tools to improve day‑to‑day tasks and analysis.
- Part qualified or qualified with CIMA/ACCA (or equivalent); newly qualified is acceptable.
- Experience with budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and month‑end processes.
- Familiarity with project accounting systems and ERPs.
- Experience with BI tools (Power BI, Tableau or similar) for dashboarding and visual insight.
- Prior experience in market research, public affairs, consulting or agency environments.
- Experience delivering training or workshops to non‑finance colleagues.
- Creative thinking, resilience and a commercially minded approach that balances short‑term delivery with long‑term value.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you as an individual. Our standard benefits include 25 days annual leave, pension contribution, income protection and life assurance. In addition, there are a range health & wellbeing, financial benefits and professional development opportunities. We have a hybrid approach to work and ask people to be in the office or with clients for 3 days per week. We appreciate you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications - please highlight what you are looking for when you make your application.
We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We recognise that this is important for our business success - a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme, certified as a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. We provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
Finance Business Partner employer: Ipsos in the UK
Ipsos is an exceptional employer that values the contributions of its Finance Business Partners by fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a comprehensive benefits package, including 25 days of annual leave and professional development opportunities, employees are supported in their personal and career growth. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while making a tangible impact on profitability across diverse service lines.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world and let them know you're on the hunt for a Finance Business Partner role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your interview game on point! Research common questions for finance roles and practice your responses. Make sure you can clearly explain how you've used your Excel skills and AI tools to drive profitability in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your coaching skills! Be ready to discuss how you've helped non-finance teams understand financial concepts. Use examples that highlight your ability to influence decisions and improve processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Tailor your application to showcase your commercial acumen and how you can make a tangible impact in our Commercial Finance team.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Commercial Mindset:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in translating finance into strategic decisions. We want to see how you've influenced pricing and forecasts in the past, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Communicate Clearly:Remember, you'll be working with non-finance teams, so use clear and simple language in your application. We love strong communicators who can break down complex financial concepts, so show us how you can do that!
Excel is Key:Since this role requires excellent Excel skills, mention any specific projects where you've used pivot tables or scenario analysis. We’re keen to see your modelling prowess, so don’t forget to include those details!
Embrace AI Tools:If you've used AI tools to enhance your financial analysis, make sure to mention it! We’re looking for candidates who are comfortable with technology and can leverage these tools to improve profitability, so share your experiences with us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos in the UK
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to translate financial data into actionable insights. Brush up on your Excel skills, especially pivot tables and scenario analysis, so you can confidently discuss how you've used these tools in past roles to influence decision-making.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll be working with non-finance teams, so it’s crucial to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, perhaps by explaining financial scenarios to a friend or family member who isn’t in finance.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
This role involves coaching non-finance colleagues, so think of examples where you’ve successfully trained or guided others. Be ready to share specific instances during the interview where your coaching made a difference in understanding financial concepts or improving processes.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect 'what-if' scenarios during the interview that test your analytical thinking. Prepare by reviewing common financial challenges and how you would approach them, using your knowledge of AI tools and BI software to enhance your responses.
