At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy, manage P&L, and coach a small finance team.
- Company: Global market research leader focused on smarter decision-making.
- Benefits: 25 days leave, pension, income protection, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make impactful financial decisions in a dynamic, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong P&L and budgeting experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are a leading global market and social research company, enabling organisations to make smarter, bolder, and faster decisions. Are you a commercially-minded finance professional ready to act as a trusted adviser to senior service-line leaders? Do you love turning P&L insight into clear recommendations, streamlining processes and coaching a small finance team to deliver impact across 18 UK service lines? If so, read on.
About the role: This is a senior, business-facing Commercial Finance Business Partner role within Ipsos’s UK Commercial Finance team of 30+ colleagues, providing finance support to 18 service lines. You’ll own monthly P&L’s, produce KPI dashboards for service-line leaders and the UK Management Team, explain variance drivers and recommend corrective actions that improve profitability and efficiency. You will lead budgeting and rolling forecasting cycles, model scenarios with commercial and operations partners, and support pricing, costing and bid modelling for new and repeat projects. A key part of the role is to drive efficiency—streamlining reporting, embedding automation via use of Power Query/Power Automate where appropriate, using BI and data tools to uplift MI. You’ll manage and coach a small team of two, partner across research, operations and client teams, and ensure compliance with relevant accounting and industry standards. This role offers the chance to influence strategy, sharpen commercial decision-making and contribute to a people-first, values-led culture in a global research business.
About you: Commercially focused and able to translate financial analysis into clear, actionable recommendations for non-finance stakeholders. Proven experience owning P&L, month-end close and management reporting. Skilled in budgeting, rolling forecasting and scenario modelling to support resource and pricing decisions. Strong stakeholder management and coaching experience, able to lead and develop a small finance team. Analytically curious, resilient, and able to work collaboratively across functions and geographies. Communicate confidently to senior stakeholders and produce clear, executive-ready packs.
Essential skills:
- Qualified accountant (CIMA or ACCA).
- Strong P&L ownership, month-end close and production of management information.
- Proven budgeting, forecasting and scenario modelling skills.
- Advanced Excel skills (formulas, pivot tables, structured modelling).
- Confident presentation skills and ability to produce clear PowerPoint/management packs.
- Experience managing and developing a small finance team.
- Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence non-finance colleagues.
- Attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a challenging environment.
- Commercial pricing and costing experience for bids and contracts.
- Experience in market research, professional services or agency environments.
- Exposure to AI and adoption to enhance day-to-day tasks, reporting and analysis workflows.
- Familiarity with Power Query / Power Automate and an interest in automating reporting and repetitive tasks.
- Experience with ERP / financial systems in a multi-entity environment.
- Prior exposure to central finance processes and multi-market reporting.
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 of 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.
Senior Finance Business Partner employer: Ipsos in the UK
Ipsos is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first, values-led culture, offering a dynamic environment for Senior Finance Business Partners to thrive. 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 and commitment to inclusivity ensure a flexible and diverse workplace, making Ipsos a standout choice for finance professionals seeking meaningful and impactful roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in market research or similar sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. We want you to showcase how your experience with P&L ownership and budgeting has made a real impact in previous roles. Make it relatable and engaging!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to tailor your approach! When you apply through our website, highlight your experience with automation tools like Power Query and your ability to coach teams. Show us how you can drive efficiency and influence strategy.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and remind them of your key strengths that align with their needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Finance Business Partner. Highlight your experience with P&L ownership, budgeting, and stakeholder management. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
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 turned financial insights into actionable recommendations and how you’ve coached teams in the past.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:We love candidates who can demonstrate their analytical curiosity. Include examples of how you've used data tools or automation to improve processes. This will show us that you’re not just about numbers, but also about driving efficiency!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos in the UK
✨Know Your P&L Inside Out
As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you'll be expected to own the monthly P&L. Make sure you can discuss it in detail during your interview. Prepare to explain variance drivers and how you would recommend corrective actions to improve profitability.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
This role requires strong stakeholder management. Be ready to share examples of how you've influenced non-finance colleagues in the past. Highlight your experience in coaching a finance team and how you’ve collaborated across functions.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Curiosity
The company values analytical curiosity, so come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions. Discuss any experience you have with BI tools or automation processes like Power Query/Power Automate, as this will show your commitment to efficiency.
✨Prepare Executive-Ready Presentations
You’ll need to communicate confidently with senior stakeholders. Bring along a sample of an executive-ready pack or presentation you've created. This will demonstrate your ability to produce clear, impactful communication that aligns with the company's values.
