At a Glance
- Tasks: Translate 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 annual leave, pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Influence profitability and decision-making using cutting-edge AI tools.
- 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 ready for those interviews! Brush up on your Excel skills and be prepared to showcase your modelling abilities. Think about how you can translate financial data into strategic insights, just like the job description mentions. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms for non-finance folks.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your AI tool skills! If you've used any AI tools to enhance your analysis or automate tasks, make sure to highlight that in conversations. It’s a hot topic right now, and demonstrating your proficiency could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from motivated candidates. Plus, it gives you a chance to tailor your application to what we’re looking for in a Finance Business Partner. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a tangible impact with us!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Commercial Mindset:Make sure to highlight your experience in translating financial data into strategic decisions. We want to see how you've influenced pricing and forecasts in your previous roles, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Communicate Clearly:Since you'll be working with non-finance teams, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms. Use your application to showcase your communication skills and any experience you have in coaching others.
Excel is Key:We’re looking for strong Excel modelling skills, so make sure to mention your proficiency with pivot tables, lookups, and scenario analysis. If you've used AI tools to enhance your analysis, definitely include that too!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos in the UK
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your financial modelling skills, especially in Excel. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used pivot tables and scenario analysis to influence decisions. This will show that you can translate numbers into actionable insights.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to coach non-finance colleagues, so demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively will be key. Use relatable examples to illustrate your points during the interview.
✨Showcase Your AI Savvy
Familiarise yourself with AI tools that enhance financial analysis. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools to automate tasks or improve profitability. Highlighting your tech-savviness will set you apart as a candidate who can drive continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Think about past experiences where you've influenced stakeholders or managed multiple priorities. Prepare to share these stories, focusing on your collaborative approach and how you’ve delivered accurate financial reporting under pressure. This will demonstrate your organisational skills and commercial acumen.
