At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing finance team and manage end-to-end FP&A processes.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer known for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellness support.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values collaboration and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal leadership role within a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong FP&A experience and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced Senior Finance Manager - FP&A to step into a pivotal leadership role within the Fashion, Home & Beauty (FH&B) Finance team at M&S, a high-profile, fast-moving part of the business where Finance plays a critical role in driving performance and shaping strategic decisions. This is a standout opportunity to operate at the heart of financial integrity, discipline and control, ensuring that actuals, forecasts and plans are not only accurate and robust, but truly trusted across FH&B. You'll provide the single version of the truth that underpins trading conversations and senior decision-making.
As a key leader in the team, you'll work closely with senior stakeholders across a diverse and evolving business unit, bringing real rigour to the numbers while influencing how performance is understood and delivered. If you're looking for a role where you can combine technical excellence, strong leadership and real commercial impact, with high visibility across one of M&S's most important divisions, this is a fantastic opportunity to make your mark.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
What you'll do:
- Managing a high performing team of 3
- Own end-to-end FP&A processes, ensuring accurate, controlled and auditable actuals, forecasts and plans, and acting as the single point of accountability for financial integrity
- Lead the full planning cycle (budget, forecast and long‑term outlook), setting clear standards, consistent assumptions and financial direction for the business
- Oversee headcount and central cost management, ensuring strong governance, transparency and trusted financial data
- Drive FP&A governance and best practice, strengthening controls, closing gaps and ensuring outputs meet executive and audit standards
- Lead working capital performance and develop a high‑performing FP&A team, building capability, driving rigour and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
Who you are:
- Fully qualified accountant (CIMA / ACA / ACCA)
- Strong experience in FP&A or performance management within a complex organisation
- Deep technical expertise across forecasting, planning, governance and working capital
- Proven ability to own financials end‑to‑end and defend them under scrutiny
- Proven experience leading, managing and developing teams, building high performance and accountability
- Confidence influencing and operating at senior Finance leadership level
What's in it for you?
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger – helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We're inclusive, fast‑moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing. Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 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
Everyone's welcome:
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.
Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - FP&A employer: Marks and Spencer
Contact Detail:
Marks and Spencer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - FP&A
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those in FP&A roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and leadership examples. Be ready to discuss how you've driven performance and influenced decisions in past roles—this is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note 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! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at M&S. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - FP&A
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Finance Manager role. Highlight your FP&A experience and any leadership roles you've had. 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 passionate about the Fashion, Home & Beauty sector and how you can contribute to our team. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your financial expertise and leadership skills. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing quantifiable results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your deep technical expertise in FP&A. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed forecasts and budgets in previous roles. Show them you can own the numbers and defend them under scrutiny.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams. Think about specific instances where you've fostered accountability and continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing and mentoring team members.
✨Understand the Business Context
M&S operates in a fast-moving environment, especially in Fashion, Home & Beauty. Familiarise yourself with current trends in these sectors and how they impact financial performance. This will help you speak confidently about how finance drives strategic decisions within the business.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
You'll be working closely with senior stakeholders, so practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner. Think about how you've influenced decision-making in the past and be ready to share those experiences. Building trust is key!