Head of Commercial Finance in Manchester

We’re looking for a Head of Commercial Finance supporting our Financial Services domain, to join our finance team here at N Brown Group. This is a high-profile role within the Finance function with exposure to senior leadership across the business. The role will lead across all aspects of reporting and planning for Financial Services and will be a trusted partner to the Financial Services Finance Director to lead and develop the team.

What will you do as a Head of Commercial Finance - Financial Services at N Brown?

• FS Margin Reporting & Month-End: Lead the month-end FS margin reporting cycle, including performance narrative, review of reporting packs, and preparation of analysis for senior stakeholders. Produce and review SLT bridges for YTD and YTG positions, ensuring clarity of key drivers and risks. Deliver targeted deep-dive analysis and papers addressing specific queries and emerging issues and making recommendations on actions to enhance financial performance. Assess Risk and Opportunities impacts and ensure alignment with the broader financial performance narrative.
• FS Margin Forecasting & Planning: Oversee quarterly FS margin forecasting, including decision on inputs, review of outputs, and challenge of assumptions. Guide discussions with key stakeholders to ensure they are aligned on the assumptions driving the forecast requirements from a financial perspective. Continuously improve the forecast models and processes so that they operate accurately and efficiently and reflect changes in the business and its performance. Support strategic decision-making for the FS division through ownership of the R&O process across both margin and cost lines. Evaluate business cases, initiatives, and commercial opportunities, advising on financial viability and risks. Support weekly KPI reviews and contribute to group-wide strategic initiatives. Drive enhancements to data outputs, dashboards, and performance reporting tools. Support with regulatory and compliance issues, including provision requirements, judgement papers and coordinating input from external partners.
• FS Cost Management: Guide FS cost month-end reporting, ensuring clear performance narrative and pack review. Produce SLT bridges for YTD and YTG cost positions with high-quality insights. Conduct targeted costing analysis and assess R&O impacts. Support year-end audit requirements and external queries.
• Business Transformation & Investment Governance: Provide financial leadership on major transformation initiatives, including capex/opex estimation, resource/supplier costing, and commercial benefits assessment. Drive project accounting processes, policies, and controls, including intangible asset judgments and supporting documentation. Review monthly CFO packs and contribute to programme governance forums. Support Target Operating Model development, financial sizing, and long-term planning (including 5-year NPV assessments). Produce and review financial sections for board papers and funding request submissions. Contribute to audit queries relating to transformation activities. Guide weekly team prioritisation, communication of key business developments, and resolution of emerging issues. Drive team capability building, development planning, and performance management through regular coaching and reviews. Foster a positive, high-performing team culture and support overall morale and engagement. Chair finance huddles where required and share updates, achievements, and recognition at monthly finance meetings. Oversee team administration and ensure alignment with broader Finance governance and communication rhythms.

What skills and experience will you have?

• Essential Experience & Qualifications: Qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience in senior commercial finance roles. Proven track record of leading forecasting, planning, and performance reporting in fast-paced Financial Services organisations. Demonstrable experience of business partnering at SLT/Exec level, with the ability to influence, challenge, and drive commercial decisions. Strong background in financial modelling, scenario analysis, and interpreting complex data into actionable insight. Experience managing regulatory, compliance, or provisioning-related financial processes. Proven leadership of high-performing finance teams, including coaching, capability building, and organisational development. Deep knowledge of margin drivers, customer behaviours, and commercial levers within Financial Services or similarly complex sectors. Advanced proficiency in forecasting methodologies, long-term planning, and risk & opportunity management. Strong understanding of accounting principles, judgement areas, and the financial governance required for large-scale initiatives. Ability to lead investment appraisal, NPV analysis, business casing, and transformation programme financials. Comfortable navigating audit processes, year-end requirements, and technical accounting discussions.
• Leadership & Behaviours: Strategic thinker who can connect financial data to business strategy and articulate clear, insight-led narratives. Influential communicator able to simplify complexity and adapt style for both technical and non-technical audiences. Commercially astute, with the confidence to challenge assumptions, shape decisions, and guide senior stakeholders. Proactive and solution-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to operate with autonomy. Collaborative leader who builds strong relationships and drives cross-functional alignment. Demonstrates high levels of integrity, judgement, and accountability, particularly in areas of compliance and regulatory sensitivity. People-centric leadership style, focused on developing others, promoting wellbeing, and maintaining a positive culture. Exposure to enterprise-wide transformation programmes. Familiarity with modern data tools, dashboards, or digital finance capabilities.

What’s in it for you?

• Hybrid working (3 days in the office at a minimum)
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
• A range of financial wellbeing support
• Stream - a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance
• Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)

N Brown – who we are and why work for us?

At N Brown, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture. We’re a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We’re customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We’re experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We’re inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we’re sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible. In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working: We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat! Our working hours are 36.17 per week and our core working hours are between 10am - 4pm. Given we don’t have strict working hours you can find the working pattern that’s right for you.

Our promise to you: We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Please know your application is being reviewed by a real human being, not AI. We value your interest in joining us and appreciate you taking the time to submit your application.