At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with innovative teams to provide financial insight and strategic support.
- Company: Join M&S, a leader in transforming retail through data and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture focused on collaboration and personal development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving digital growth and innovation in retail.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in commercial finance and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
At M&S, we're transforming how we use data, technology and customer insight to drive growth. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Digital & Technology Finance team and partner some of the most innovative and fast-growing areas of the business, including Data & AI, Sparks, Loyalty and Financial Services. As Finance Manager, you'll work closely with senior leaders to provide commercial challenge, strategic insight and financial leadership across a portfolio of high-profile investments and transformation programmes. Whether supporting AI innovation, enhancing customer loyalty or driving digital growth, you'll play a key role in helping M&S make confident, value-driven decisions that shape our future.
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.
Your key accountabilities will include:
- Partner the Data & AI and Customer (Loyalty & Financial Services) leadership teams, acting as a trusted advisor and providing financial insight, commercial challenge and strategic support that enables informed decision-making and delivery of long-term business goals.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and planning activities across your functions, ensuring stakeholders have clear visibility of performance, risks, opportunities and investment priorities while driving accountability for financial outcomes.
- Evaluate and challenge investment proposals, business cases and transformation initiatives, ensuring robust financial assumptions, clear benefit realisation plans and strong returns on investment from significant strategic spend.
- Deliver insightful reporting and analysis for senior stakeholders, translating complex financial and operational data into clear recommendations that improve performance, influence decision-making and support future growth.
- Drive effective governance, financial control and risk management across major programmes, proactively identifying issues, influencing outcomes and ensuring investments deliver measurable value for M&S.
Your skills and experience will include:
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong experience in commercial finance, business partnering or strategic investment support within a large, fast-paced organisation.
- An exceptional relationship builder who can influence, challenge and support senior stakeholders, developing credibility through proactive partnership, strong communication skills and commercial insight.
- Commercially minded and highly analytical, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends and opportunities, and translate findings into practical recommendations that drive business performance.
- Comfortable operating in a constantly evolving environment, managing multiple priorities simultaneously while remaining organised, resilient and focused on delivering high-quality outcomes.
- Experience supporting technology, digital, data, customer, loyalty, financial services or transformation functions would be advantageous, alongside a genuine curiosity for innovation and the future of retail.
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. 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.
Finance Manager - Digital & Technology employer: Marks & Spencer Group
Join M&S as a Customer Assistant in our Food section, where you'll be part of a dynamic team that values hard work and dedication. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer a vibrant work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Located in Wolstanton, you will enjoy the benefits of working for one of the UK's fastest-growing retailers, with opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career while delivering exceptional service to our valued customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager - Digital & Technology
✨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 & Spencer Group. 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 Finance Manager - Digital & Technology
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 & Spencer Group.
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 & Spencer Group'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 & Spencer Group
✨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 & Spencer Group.
✨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 & Spencer Group 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 & Spencer Group 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.
