At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance for store renewals and drive strategic investment decisions.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retail giant transforming the shopping experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team committed to innovation and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on modernising stores and optimising returns in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong commercial thinking and financial storytelling skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At M&S, we're transforming our store estate and investing for the future. We're looking for a commercially driven Senior Finance Manager to lead finance across our store renewal and property investment programmes, playing a pivotal role in shaping how we modernise our stores and optimise returns. This is a high-impact role at the heart of our Property strategy. You'll partner senior stakeholders to influence major investment decisions, drive value from capital spend, and ensure we're making smart, data-led choices that deliver for our customers and shareholders.
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
- Lead finance for our store renewals and asset development programmes, ensuring strong control, insight and commercial focus, while building effective relationships across the wider finance team and business.
- Partner senior leaders, including the Director of Store Renewals and Head of Asset Management, influencing strategic decisions and developing financial strategies that optimise returns, with a strong focus on cost management and risk control.
- Own budgeting and 3-year planning, driving performance across a significant investment portfolio for store renewal and asset development schemes.
- Deliver robust investment appraisal and financial analysis, identifying key performance drivers, using insight to shape future decisions, and preparing and presenting investment cases and financial recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Support innovation in renewal store formats, analysing performance and ensuring alignment to business objectives, while leading and developing a Senior Finance Analyst to build capability within the team.
Who you are
- Qualified accountant with the ability to translate operational activity into financial impact.
- A strong commercial thinker, able to work at pace and take initiative in a fast-moving environment.
- Proven experience influencing senior, non-financial stakeholders and building credibility quickly.
- Strong financial storytelling skills, turning complex analysis into clear, actionable insight.
- A data-led mindset, using analytics to challenge and drive better outcomes.
- Confidence to challenge constructively and keep long-term value at the centre of decisions.
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.
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 - Property Renewals employer: Marks and Spencer
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and innovative employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration thrives. As a Senior Finance Manager in our Property Renewals team, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of our store estate while enjoying a range of benefits including a generous colleague discount, competitive holiday allowance, and tailored development opportunities. Join us in our mission to lead the retail industry into a more conscientious era, where your contributions will be valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Property Renewals
✨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 - Property Renewals
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.
