At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial finance strategies and drive impactful business decisions.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of business with strategic financial insights and leadership.
- Qualifications: MBA or CA with 15+ years in commercial finance leadership.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.
This is a senior commercial finance leadership opportunity that sits at the heart of business decision‑making. The role offers the chance to partner closely with leadership, influence strategic outcomes, and shape commercial performance across the organization. For professionals already in leadership roles, this represents a positive shift towards greater strategic exposure, deeper involvement in long‑term business planning, and direct ownership of revenue, cost, and profitability drivers. The role combines financial rigor with business partnership, making it well‑aligned for individuals motivated by impact, scale, and transformation.
The position is particularly interesting given its involvement in business expansion, new product launches, pricing and commercial models, and transformation initiatives including SAP S4HANA, CRM, and advanced analytics. It also offers the opportunity to lead regional commercial finance teams and work closely with sales, product, and leadership stakeholders in a collaborative environment.
On a day‑to‑day basis, the role will focus on:
- Developing dynamic business plans, financial models, and front‑ending commercial decision‑making.
- Driving month‑end close processes, analysing trends across revenue, margins, overheads, and monitoring cost price movements against budgets.
- Leading annual budget closure, quarterly forecasts, and contributing to the 5‑year strategic business outlook.
- Engaging monthly with stakeholders on pricing mix, cost trends, budgets, and variance analysis.
- Deep‑diving into cost structures and co‑creating commercial models including pricing, margins, and product mix.
- Creating detailed monthly dashboards and presenting financial and business performance insights to the India Leadership Team.
- Acting as the single point of contact for new business launches, including developing commercial and financial models for new products, partnerships, and collaborations.
- Driving regional performance by leading commercial finance teams, coordinating with sales teams, finalising regional budgets (sales, overheads, profits, collections, DSO), and conducting regular performance reviews.
- Reviewing and improving sales and commercial protocols to enhance efficiency, customer returns, and sales effectiveness, partnering closely with Sales Directors.
- Leading and supporting change initiatives across SAP S4HANA, CRM systems, data intelligence, and analytics.
- Supporting SBU heads with financial insights to enable informed business decisions and conducting periodic financial reviews.
- Coordinating with product and procurement teams on new initiatives and process improvements.
- Managing teams, stakeholders, and ensuring timely delivery against key financial and business deadlines.
This role has a direct impact on business performance, strategic direction, commercial discipline, and long‑term profitability across the organization.
Essential / Desirable Criteria
- MBA from a Tier‑1 institute or CA, with 15+ years of experience.
- Strong experience in commercial finance, business decision support, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Prior experience in a similar leadership role within a large organization.
- Hands‑on experience working in SAP / ERP environments.
- Solid understanding of internal and external business environments and commercial dynamics.
- Proven people leadership experience.
- Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement in a commercial setting.
- Self‑motivated with strong personal initiative.
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to challenge, influence, and partner with non‑finance stakeholders.
- High proficiency in Excel, Word, data extraction, Power BI or similar analytics tools, and Outlook.
We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce and fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We aim to build a workforce that reflects the markets we serve and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Head - Commercial Finance in Oxford employer: OUP
Contact Detail:
OUP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head - Commercial Finance in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who are already in leadership roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s financial performance and recent news. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who’s genuinely interested in their business and ready to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We love seeing applications come directly from our platform, and it gives you a better chance to stand out. Plus, you’ll get updates on your application status right away!
We think you need these skills to ace Head - Commercial Finance in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience in commercial finance and leadership, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on work with SAP or ERP systems. 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 explain why you’re passionate about this role and how you can drive impact at StudySmarter. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of financial modelling and analysis, make sure to highlight your proficiency in tools like Excel and Power BI. Share examples of how you've used data to influence business decisions in the past – we love seeing that kind of initiative!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at OUP
✨Know Your Numbers
As a candidate for the Head - Commercial Finance role, you need to be on top of your financial game. Brush up on key financial metrics and trends relevant to the company’s industry. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to influence business decisions in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This position requires strong people leadership skills. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully led teams or influenced stakeholders. Be ready to share how you foster collaboration and drive performance within your team.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the company's current market position, recent product launches, and any transformation initiatives like SAP S4HANA. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the commercial dynamics and how you can contribute to their strategic goals.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the company’s future. Ask about their approach to budgeting and forecasting, or how they measure success in commercial finance. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.