At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing finance team and manage end-to-end FP&A processes.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic leader in Fashion, Home & Beauty.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and strong pension plans.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with tailored training and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- 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 £ 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.
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?
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
Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - FP&A in London employer: M&S
Contact Detail:
M&S Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - FP&A in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry, especially those in FP&A roles. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn – you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you land an interview, make sure to highlight your technical expertise and leadership experience. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've driven performance and influenced decision-making – that’s what they want to hear!
✨Research the Company
Before any interview, do your homework on M&S and their Fashion, Home & Beauty division. Understand their values, recent news, and financial performance. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on the role – just what we like to see!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty - FP&A in London
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, team management, and any relevant qualifications like CIMA or ACA. 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 tell us why you're passionate about finance in the Fashion, Home & Beauty sector. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and influenced decision-making in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a key leader in our team, we need to see your leadership style. Mention any experience you have in managing teams, driving accountability, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. We love candidates who can inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at M&S
✨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. Show them you can own the numbers and defend them under scrutiny.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a high-performing team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams in the past. Talk about your approach to building accountability and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. They want to see that you can inspire and develop others.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with M&S's Fashion, Home & Beauty division. Research recent developments and challenges in the industry. This will help you speak confidently about how finance can drive performance and influence strategic decisions within the business.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex financial situations. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully navigated challenges in FP&A or governance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.