At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial insights, streamline processes, 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 a real impact in a people-first culture while influencing strategy.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong P&L and forecasting skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ 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 by 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.
Desirable skills:
- 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.
Benefits: 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.
Hybrid Commercial Finance Partner: P&L, Forecasting & BI employer: Ipsos
Ipsos is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first, values-led culture, offering a dynamic environment for finance professionals to thrive. With a comprehensive benefits package, including 25 days of annual leave and flexible working options, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance. The opportunity for professional development and the chance to influence strategic decisions within a global market research leader makes this role particularly rewarding for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hybrid Commercial Finance Partner: P&L, Forecasting & BI
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a role. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to P&L ownership and forecasting. Use real-life examples from your experience to showcase your skills and how you can add value to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Hybrid Commercial Finance Partner: P&L, Forecasting & BI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with P&L ownership, budgeting, and forecasting. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role is all about turning financial insights into actionable recommendations, be sure to include examples of how you've done this in the past. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their analytical curiosity and problem-solving abilities.
Highlight Stakeholder Management Experience:This position involves working closely with senior stakeholders, so it’s crucial to mention any experience you have in managing relationships and influencing non-finance colleagues. We’re looking for someone who can communicate confidently and effectively!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos
✨Know Your P&L Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss your experience with P&L ownership confidently. Be prepared to explain how you've turned financial insights into actionable recommendations in previous roles. This will show that you understand the core of the role and can add value from day one.
✨Showcase Your Forecasting Skills
Brush up on your budgeting and forecasting techniques. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led these processes in the past, including any scenario modelling you've done. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to support resource and pricing decisions.
✨Highlight Your Stakeholder Management Experience
Think of instances where you've successfully influenced non-finance colleagues or senior stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you’ve communicated complex financial information clearly and effectively, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Your Coaching Abilities
Since you'll be managing a small finance team, be ready to talk about your coaching and development experiences. Share how you've helped team members grow and how you plan to foster a collaborative environment within the team.
