At a Glance
- Tasks: Support key financial decisions and develop strong stakeholder relationships.
- Company: Join JD Sports, a leading name in the fashion industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact by driving financial insights and supporting strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified accountant with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Reporting to: Finance Business Partner
Department: Commercial Finance
Location: JD Sports Fashion PLC, Edinburgh House, Hollinsbrook Way, Pilsworth, Bury, BL9 8RR
As the Senior Commercial Finance Analyst, you will work closely with the Finance Business Partner, acting as their direct support across all commercial finance activities. You will develop strong relationships with stakeholders to support and challenge key decisions across investment appraisal, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, project governance and ad hoc analysis as required.
Key Duties/Responsibilities
- Preparation and review of investment and commercial business cases, including Income Statement performance and return on investment measures, for presentation at relevant governance and approval forums.
- Provide performance data and analytics to support strategic commercial decision making.
- Developing and introducing a monthly KPI reporting pack to support senior stakeholders with improved visibility of financial and commercial performance.
- Providing clear, concise reporting to the Finance Business Partner and relevant senior stakeholders.
- Supporting with the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasting for the relevant cost centre or business areas.
- Supporting with the preparation of Quarterly Business Reviews and Annual Budget decks.
- Financial support to the relevant Senior Commercial Finance stakeholders, providing clear and concise insight into the cost base, including staff costs and overheads.
- Supporting Procurement on cost saving initiatives, including analysis of new contracts, rebates, and commercial terms to deliver sustainable financial benefits.
- Chairing regular meetings with the Reporting team to review month end performance, understand spend drivers, identify underlying issues and provide appropriate financial challenge.
- Ownership and oversight of the Purchase Order (PO) process, including management of approval hierarchies, ensuring appropriate financial controls, governance compliance and timely approvals.
- Ad hoc Finance tasks and project work as required.
Skills/Experience/Knowledge needed
- CIMA / ACCA / ACA Part-Qualified Accountant
- Experience of business partnering advantageous, including providing constructive challenge and making value‑adding recommendations.
- Proven experience of delivering data-driven insights to support decision-making.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate financial information for non-finance stakeholders.
- Ability to communicate effectively with non-financial colleagues and collaborate across multiple business functions.
- Strong analytical skills required to investigate, understand, and explain financial and operational performance.
- Ability to form strong working relationships at all levels of the organisation.
- Self‑motivated, with the ability to work under own initiative.
- Strong time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet competing deadlines.
- Advanced Excel skills essential; experience with Oracle, TM1 & Power BI advantageous but not essential.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Positive, flexible, enthusiastic, and driven approach.
Senior Commercial Finance Analyst – Business Partnering employer: JD GROUP
JD Sports Fashion PLC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Bury. With a strong focus on employee development and collaboration, we provide ample opportunities for growth through mentorship and training, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers. Our culture promotes innovation and inclusivity, making it a rewarding place to contribute to strategic financial decisions while enjoying the benefits of working within a leading retail brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Finance Analyst – Business Partnering
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend finance events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of how your analytical skills have driven decisions in past roles. We want to see how you can add value!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to fit their culture and needs. Research JD Sports and think about how your experience aligns with their goals in commercial finance.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at JD Sports.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Finance Analyst – Business Partnering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Commercial Finance Analyst role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in business partnering and financial analysis, so we can see how you fit into our team.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and advanced Excel abilities. We want to know how you’ve used these skills in past roles to drive decision-making and improve performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your experience aligns with our needs. Keep it concise but impactful!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at JD GROUP
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Commercial Finance Analyst, you'll need to be comfortable with financial data. Brush up on key metrics like ROI and KPIs relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles to influence decision-making.
✨Build Relationships
This role involves working closely with various stakeholders. Think about examples where you've successfully built relationships in previous positions. Be prepared to share how you can support and challenge decisions effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication skills are essential, especially when translating complex financial information for non-financial colleagues. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms, so you're ready to demonstrate this during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific instances where your analytical skills made a difference. Whether it was through budgeting, forecasting, or performance analysis, have examples ready that highlight your ability to derive insights from data.
