At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape marketing strategy and drive commercial performance in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a key growth area of Fashion, Home & Beauty.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong commercial acumen and experience in budgeting.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
This is a high-impact opportunity to sit at the heart of a key growth area - combining commercial insight, strategic influence and hands-on delivery to help shape the future of M&S’s Fashion, Home & Beauty business.
Summary: This is a brilliant time to join M&S as we continue to accelerate the growth of our Fashion, Home & Beauty business. We’re looking for a Finance Manager - Marketing & Online to play a pivotal role in shaping marketing strategy, guiding investment decisions and driving commercial performance across a highly visible and fast-paced area.
In this role, you’ll partner closely with Marketing and Online leadership, using data, insight and commercial acumen to influence both day-to-day trading and long-term strategy, ensuring every pound spent delivers maximum return.
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:
- Partner with Marketing and Online teams to shape strategy, guiding investment decisions and ensuring strong financial and operational alignment.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting cycles, providing clear insight into performance, risks and opportunities.
- Drive ROI across marketing channels, integrating Marketing Mix Model outputs and tracking ROAS to optimise spend effectiveness.
- Own monthly and quarterly reporting, delivering clear, forward-looking commentary to support decision-making at pace.
- Enhance reporting and processes (including reducing reliance on Excel), while maintaining strong financial controls and data integrity.
Who you are:
- A qualified accountant (CIMA or ACCA) with strong experience in forecasting, budgeting and commercial analysis.
- Proven ability to business partner senior stakeholders, influencing decisions across non-finance teams.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insight.
- A continuous improvement mindset, with experience strengthening processes, controls and reporting.
- A collaborative leader, confident working independently while also coaching and supporting others (including indirect reports).
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 - Fashion Home & Beauty - Marketing & Online in London employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
Joining M&S as a Finance Manager in the Fashion, Home & Beauty sector offers an exceptional opportunity to be part of a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a generous colleague discount, and a commitment to diversity, M&S empowers its employees to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the retail industry. The role not only allows for strategic influence but also provides a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager - Fashion Home & Beauty - Marketing & Online 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 & Spencer Plc. 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 - Fashion Home & Beauty - Marketing & Online 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 & Spencer Plc.
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 Plc'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 Plc
✨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 Plc.
✨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 Plc 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 Plc 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.
