At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing finance team and manage end-to-end FP&A processes.
- Company: Join M&S, a fast-paced leader in Fashion, Home & Beauty.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training.
- Other info: Collaborative office environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal leadership role with high visibility.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong FP&A experience and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ 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 rigor 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 rigor 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?
- 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
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 - FP&A employer: MARKS&SPENCER
Contact Detail:
MARKS&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 who work at M&S or in similar sectors. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your FP&A knowledge and understanding M&S's business model. Show them you know your stuff and can bring real value to their team. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings; be proactive! Visit our website regularly and apply directly through it. This shows initiative and can sometimes get you noticed faster than the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview with a thank-you note. It’s a simple gesture that keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit!
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 speaks directly to the role of Senior Finance Manager – FP&A. Highlight your experience in FP&A, leadership skills, and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive performance and influence decision-making.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your technical expertise and how you've led teams to success in complex environments.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your deep technical expertise in forecasting, planning, and governance. Be sure to include any relevant qualifications like CIMA, ACA, or ACCA, and detail how you've applied these skills in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved!
How to prepare for a job interview at MARKS&SPENCER
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of FP&A processes. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed forecasts and budgets in previous roles. This shows you can own the financials end-to-end.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a high-performing team, so it's crucial to highlight your experience in managing and developing teams. Prepare examples of how you've built accountability and fostered a culture of continuous improvement in your past roles.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with M&S's Fashion, Home & Beauty division. Understand their current challenges and opportunities. This will help you speak confidently about how you can influence performance and contribute to strategic decisions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle scrutiny. Think of specific scenarios where you've had to defend financial data or implement governance best practices, and be ready to discuss the outcomes.