At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform financial data into actionable insights and lead a team of finance analysts.
- Company: Join a global law firm known for its collaborative culture and innovative approach.
- Benefits: Flexible work options, competitive salary, and a focus on professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving performance improvement and strategic outcomes.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong analytical skills and team leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm with more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across locations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. We provide a full scope of legal services to the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions. Our vision is to be a world class business, profitable, ambitious, cooperative and considerate, supporting our clients and people through our global business principles of Quality, Unity and Integrity.
With over 7,000 employees worldwide, our culture is the thread that connects us. Our strategy and culture are closely connected – defined by shared ambition, global collaboration and a one-team mindset. We believe pioneering work happens when people are empowered to think beyond boundaries, explore new opportunities and grow through diverse experiences. Alongside the right skills and experience, we are looking for people who are innovative, commercially minded, and motivated by the impact of the work they do – ready to share in our ambition and help shape what comes next.
The Team: A central pillar of the Commercial Finance function, the Commercial Analysis, Reporting & Insights (CARI) team supports firm leadership through the provision of high-quality management information, commercial analysis, strategic insights and executive reporting. CARI works collaboratively with colleagues across the business to support informed decision-making, profitable growth and operational excellence.
The Role: This is a key role responsible for transforming financial and operational data into actionable commercial insight and reporting. The successful candidate will lead a team of finance analysts and be accountable for the quality, consistency and presentation of management information used by business stakeholders. Strong leadership and development of the team is important, but this role will also be hands on, combining analytical excellence with strong stakeholder engagement, ensuring decision-makers receive relevant, timely and compelling insights that drive performance improvement and strategic outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Analysis & Commercial Insight (45%)
- Lead the production of insightful financial and operational analysis across practices, sectors, clients and offices.
- Develop actionable recommendations that support profitable growth, improved productivity and enhanced financial performance.
- Identify commercial opportunities, emerging risks and performance trends through proactive analysis.
- Deliver deep-dive reviews relating to partner performance, client profitability, matter economics, practice group and sector performance, working capital management, and strategic investment decisions.
- Perform scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to support strategic decision-making.
- Own the delivery of various legal sector benchmarking submissions.
- Become a SME for the data, KPIs, systems and models used by Finance.
- Drive increased use of predictive analytics and AI-enabled analytical capabilities within the CARI team.
- Schedule and conduct regular financial data audits and quality assurance work.
- Executive Reporting & Presentations (20%)
- Own the responsibility for production of high-quality presentations for the Management Committee, Sector and Office Heads, Practice Group Leaders, and Partner meetings.
- Translate complex financial information into concise, compelling and visually engaging narratives.
- Ensure reporting focuses on business outcomes, key messages and management actions rather than purely financial data.
- Maintain high standards of accuracy, consistency and professional presentation across all reporting outputs.
- Team Leadership (20%)
- Lead, coach and develop a team of three Finance Analysts.
- Establish clear performance expectations and development plans.
- Create a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, curiosity, and always being “on the case”.
- Review and validate team analytical outputs to ensure quality and consistency.
- Champion automation and efficiency initiatives.
- Promote a data-driven culture throughout the team.
- Business Partnering and Stakeholder Management (15%)
- Understand stakeholder priorities and proactively identify opportunities where financial analysis can support decision-making.
- Act as a trusted commercial advisor to stakeholders.
- Confidently influence stakeholder decisions through evidence-based recommendations.
- Partner with colleagues across Finance to provide joined-up insight.
- Provide support with financial planning activities, including budgets and forecasts.
Skills and Experience Required
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Experience leading analytical finance teams.
- A high degree of commercial acumen.
- Strong financial modelling and data analysis skills with advanced Excel capability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Emotionally resilient, with strength of personality.
- Excellent soft skills including the ability to influence or challenge senior stakeholders.
- A continuous improvement mentality.
- Attention to detail as well as an ability to see the bigger picture.
- A dynamic and collaborative team-player with a “can-do” attitude.
- Gravitas to succeed in a partnership environment.
- Hard-working and an ambition to grow professionally.
Advantageous
- Experience within a services-based business, ideally within a professional services environment.
- Experience using AI-enabled reporting and analytical tools.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential. Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people’s health and overall wellbeing.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates.
Finance Business Partner - Commercial Analysis, Reporting & Insights employer: NRF
Norton Rose Fulbright is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within the Finance Operations team in Newcastle. Employees benefit from a flexible work model, comprehensive wellbeing programmes, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. With a focus on professional growth and a supportive environment, this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a global leader in legal services while developing valuable skills in eBilling operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner - Commercial Analysis, Reporting & Insights
✨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 NRF. 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 Business Partner - Commercial Analysis, Reporting & Insights
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 NRF.
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 NRF'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 NRF
✨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 NRF.
✨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 NRF 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 NRF 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.
