Head of Commercial Finance
SpaBreaks.com
- Reports to: Managing Director
- Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time
- Salary: £75,000 - £85,000 + Bonus
- Working hours: 09:00-17:30, Monday - Friday
Company
Spabreaks.com is a dynamic and growing business, transitioning from private ownership into trade ownership with strong private equity backing.
Established in 2007, Spabreaks.com made an immediate name within the travel sector and quickly became Europe’s leading Spa Travel Agency. Having opened with just 2 staff and 25 UK based venues we have been on a rollercoaster journey and have now grown to a team of 65, working with over 550 of the world’s leading spa hotels in the UK and Ireland. We send away over 6000 travellers each week and have won multiple industry awards.
We are a digital leader in the industry with now over +90% of our customers booking online and end to end connectivity with our valued spa partners, and we are just getting started!
What makes us unique? Our people. Our employees are the life of our business and by joining our team you will become part of the most talented, ambitious, passionate, collaborative and entrepreneurial team in online travel as we continue to make huge waves in the market and develop Spabreaks.com into a household name in the online travel industry.
Purpose
We are looking for a hands‑on, high‑energy Head of Commercial Finance to take full ownership of our commercial strategy, trading insight, and FP&A function. You’ll combine strategic thinking with day‑to‑day involvement, driving overall P&L performance, cost optimisation, and delivering actionable commercial insights.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will lead the commercial finance team, building and refining financial models, pricing frameworks, and venue yield analyses to accelerate growth. You will also take ownership of producing executive board packs and work closely with the Group Finance function to ensure alignment on reporting, compliance, and strategic performance metrics across the wider organisation.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified accountant with a strong commercial mindset, exceptional analytical skills, and a fun, ambitious personality who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys making a tangible impact at all levels of the business.
Main Responsibilities and Duties
P&L Management & Financial Performance
- Take ownership of overall trading performance and full P&L accountability, tracking weekly and monthly revenue, gross margins, EBITDA, and operational contribution.
- Deliver robust variance analysis against budgets and forecasts, identifying emerging risks or profit opportunities early and recommending actionable corrective steps.
- Partner with department heads across the business to align operational key performance indicators (KPIs) directly with strategic P&L goals.
E-commerce Commercial Strategy & Unit Economics
- Own key e-commerce and marketplace unit economics metrics: Booking #, Average Transactional Value (ATV), Gross Profit (GP1) Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Customer Lifetime Value (LTV), repeat rates, and contribution margins.
- Provide real‑time trading insights to the marketing and commercial teams, optimising promotional spend, dynamic pricing strategies, and venue availability yields.
- Working with the leadership team to model and appraise new commercial opportunities and expansion plans. Providing financial rigour and challenge to new initiatives.
Cost Optimisation & Operational Efficiency
- Drive proactive cost‑saving initiatives across overheads, supplier contracts, tech, and operating expenditures without compromising operational pace.
- Establish a rigorous cost‑benefit mindset across all business departments, evaluating and challenging vendor contract renewals.
- Measure and optimise marketing efficiency, working alongside performance marketing teams to ensure acquisition spend, affiliate fees, and brand marketing deliver ROI targets.
Financial Planning & Analysis and Investment Appraisal
- Own the annual budgeting, monthly re‑forecasting, and cashflow planning processes.
- Develop robust business cases for capital expenditure, technology developments and other significant investments.
Board Reporting, Group Collaboration and Team Development
- Preparation and delivery of Board packs and strategic performance commentary for the leadership team, Board and Group Board.
- Collaborate closely with Group Finance, central reporting functions, and cross‑group business units to align commercial strategies, reporting standards, and shared growth targets.
- Lead, coach, and mentor the commercial finance team, elevating analytical capability, championing AI and Business Intelligence (BI) reporting tools.
Skills & Experience
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Proven senior commercial finance or FP&A experience in a fast‑paced, growth‑focused business—ideally within e‑commerce, digital marketplaces, travel tech, PE‑backed, or trade‑owned setups.
- Strong FP&A background with advanced Excel modelling skills, BI experience (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), and the ability to translate complex transactional numbers into clear commercial insights.
- Comfortable preparing executive Board packs and collaborating with a Group Finance function to deliver accurate, timely outputs.
- Commercially astute with a sharp instinct for unit economics, margin optimisation, and linking financial performance directly to business strategy.
- Fun, enthusiastic, and engaging personality with the ambition and energy to inspire the team and drive the business forward on its growth journey.
- Hands‑on, resilient, and comfortable operating under pressure in a fast‑paced, evolving marketplace.
Benefits
At Spabreaks.com, We’re committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and rewarding workplace. Our benefits are designed to promote wellbeing, flexibility, and personal growth, while helping you make the most of life both in and out of work.
- Workplace Pension - automatically enrolled into our company pension scheme to improve your contributions
- Hybrid Working – enjoy the best of both worlds with 2 days working from home and 3 days based in our Brighton office
- Holiday Buy Back Scheme – added flexibility to tailor your annual leave to your lifestyle
- Path to Wellness Programme – access to yoga, pilates, chair massages, lunchtime wellbeing seminars with industry experts, and more
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – confidential support for mental health, financial, and personal wellbeing
- Online GP Service – quick and convenient access to medical advice, prescriptions, and appointments
- Flu Jab Vouchers – helping you stay well during flu season
- Gym Allowance / Corporate Health Club Discount – support for staying active and prioritising your health
- Funeral Concierge - planning ahead to make things easier for your loved ones
- Cycle to Work Scheme – save money on a new bike and promote a healthier commute
- Perkbox Membership – access to exclusive discounts, rewards, wellbeing tools, and recognition
- In-house Discounts – generous savings with Wowcher, Spabreaks, and our trusted partners
- Employee Referral Scheme – receive rewards for recommending great people to join our team
- Social Events – regular company and team events to connect, celebrate, and have fun
- Familiarisation Trips – experience our products and partners first‑hand
- Long Service Awards – bonuses and recognition to celebrate your career milestones with us
- Life Insurance / Death in Service Cover – peace of mind for you and financial protection for your loved ones
- Nursery Scheme – support with childcare costs through salary sacrifice
Join us and be part of a team that values your growth, well‑being, and success!
Head of Commercial Finance in Brighton employer: Spabreaks.com
At Spabreaks.com, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer that values our employees as the heart of our business. Located in Brighton, our hybrid work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, while offering ample opportunities for professional growth within the thriving travel sector. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a significant impact in the online travel industry, all while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and entrepreneurial environment.
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We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Finance in Brighton
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