At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and drive growth for M&S Brands in Fashion, Home & Beauty.
- Company: Join M&S, a leader in retail innovation and customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail while making a real impact on business growth.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with strong strategic and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
M&S Brands is one of the most exciting growth opportunities across Fashion, Home & Beauty and Online. As Senior Finance Manager, you'll lead the finance partnership for the Brands business, helping shape the strategy for Partner Brands, Sports, Wholesale, Consignment, Dropship and future growth propositions. You'll provide commercial leadership and financial challenge to senior stakeholders while driving transformation that supports the evolution of Brands into a scaled, profitable and strategically differentiated growth platform for M&S.
What you'll do
- Lead the financial strategy, planning, budgeting and forecasting for the M&S Brands business, ensuring sustainable sales, profit and cash growth.
- Partner with the Director of Brands, Head of Brand Partnerships and wider leadership team to shape investment decisions, growth opportunities and long-term commercial strategy.
- Drive the financial evaluation of new propositions, partnerships, acquisitions, category expansion and customer growth initiatives.
- Lead business cases, profitability improvement programmes and strategic transformation initiatives, including operating model evolution and process simplification.
- Provide robust commercial challenge across Buying, Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, Supply Chain, Online and Finance teams while ensuring strong governance, controls and risk management.
Who you are
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or Equivalent).
- A commercially focused finance leader with experience partnering senior stakeholders in a complex retail, consumer or commercial environment.
- Strong strategic and analytical capability, with a track record of turning ambitious growth plans into commercially robust outcomes.
- Experience leading investment appraisals, business cases and transformation programmes that deliver measurable business value.
- Strong financial governance, planning and performance management expertise, combined with a passion for driving growth and continuous improvement.
What's in it for you?
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you've completed your probation.
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
- Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We're disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We're transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - Brands in London employer: Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly within the Corporate HR technology team. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth and development, alongside competitive remuneration and benefits. Working in a dynamic location, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects that enhance the colleague experience throughout their journey with the company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - Brands in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Marks and Spencer. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - Brands in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Marks and Spencer.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Marks and Spencer's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Marks and Spencer.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Marks and Spencer will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Marks and Spencer employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
