Reporting to: Chief Operating & Finance Officer
Contract type: Permanent, 40 hours per week
Location: The Fold's Head office in Bermondsey. Hybrid working- 4 days per week in the office
About the Fold:
The Fold London is an award-winning British luxury womenswear brand built on a singular, powerful idea: that the women who run boardrooms, lead teams and shape the world deserve clothes as ambitious as they are. Founded with a clear mission to dress professional women with intention, The Fold has built a loyal global community of customers who value craft, quality, and considered design over fast fashion.
With a multi-channel presence - led by ecommerce and supported by our two London stores in Chelsea and the City – The Fold has built a loyal and growing customer base across the UK, US and internationally.
As we enter the next stage of growth, we are investing heavily in our international expansion, commercial capability, systems, customer insight and operational infrastructure. This role is a key part of that journey.
You can explore our world at www.thefoldlondon.com and find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook as @thefoldlondon.
Role Overview:
We are looking for a highly commercial, analytically minded Head of Commercial Finance to help drive performance across the business.
Ideally, this person will combine strong technical finance foundations with genuinely commercial business partnering capability - for example someone who trained in a Big 4 or leading advisory environment before moving into a fast-paced consumer, retail, ecommerce or fashion business. We are looking for someone who can bring both analytical rigour and commercial instinct into the role.
This is not a traditional reporting or controllership role. We have an established finance foundation in place. What we are looking for is someone who can sit at the intersection of finance, trading, merchandising, digital, customer and operations - helping teams make better, faster and more commercially informed decisions.
You will work closely with the COFO and leadership team to:
- support strategic growth initiatives,
- develop robust business modelling,
- and create stronger cross-functional alignment across the business.
This role will suit someone who is naturally curious, commercially sharp and highly analytical - someone who enjoys getting into the detail whilst also helping shape bigger-picture business strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Performance & Business Partnering
- Partner closely with teams across ecommerce, trading, merchandising, marketing, retail and operations to analyse performance and identify opportunities for growth and efficiency
- Support leadership teams with actionable commercial insight, challenge and recommendations
- Develop a strong understanding of channel economics, customer behaviour, product performance and margin drivers
- Drive greater visibility and accountability around key commercial KPIs
- Support weekly and monthly trade discussions with meaningful financial and operational insight
- Work cross-functionally to improve alignment between merchandising, digital, trading and finance
- Identify risks and opportunities proactively and support teams in developing mitigation or growth plans
- Build robust financial models to support strategic decision-making across the business
- Develop scenario analysis and sensitivity modelling for key commercial initiatives
- Support business cases including:
- customer acquisition initiatives,
- pricing and promotional activity,
- fulfilment and operational projects,
- systems investments,
- new stores or channels,
- and strategic partnerships
- Support long-range planning and strategic forecasting initiatives
- Provide deep-dive analysis into performance trends, profitability and operational efficiency
Ecommerce, Customer & Channel Analytics
- Analyse digital and ecommerce performance including:
- traffic,
- conversion,
- customer acquisition,
- and contribution by channel
- Work with digital and marketing teams to evaluate campaign performance and return on investment
- Develop reporting and dashboards that improve visibility of commercial performance across the business
- Support development of more sophisticated customer, cohort and behavioural analysis
- Help improve decision-making around pricing, promotions and markdown activity
FP&A & Reporting Support
- Support budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting processes alongside the Head of Finance and COFO
- Help improve forecast accuracy and visibility across the business
- Develop more commercially focused reporting and insight
- Support development of KPI dashboards, business reporting packs and board materials
- Assist with development of longer-term planning and investment analysis
- Help embed stronger data quality, reporting consistency and commercial visibility across teams
Cross-Functional Projects & Transformation
- Support strategic projects across the business including systems, fulfilment, international growth and operational transformation initiatives
- Act as a connector across teams to improve communication, alignment and commercial decision-making
- Bring a continuous improvement mindset to reporting, analysis and planning processes
- Help create more scalable commercial planning capability as the business grows
About You:
Experience
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
- Strong commercial finance, FP&A or business partnering experience within a consumer, retail, ecommerce or fashion business
- Ideally trained within a Big 4, transaction services, deals, consulting or high-calibre commercial finance environment before moving into industry
- Experience working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial or high-growth environments
- Strong understanding of retail and ecommerce commercial drivers
- Proven experience building financial models and commercial business cases
- Experience partnering with non-finance stakeholders across multiple functions
- Strong analytical and data interpretation capability
Skills & Attributes
- Highly commercial thinker with strong business curiosity
- Strong technical finance grounding combined with commercial business partnering capability
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Comfortable influencing and constructively challenging stakeholders at all levels
- Able to move comfortably between detail and strategic thinking
- Naturally proactive and solutions-oriented
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and helping shape structure as the business evolves
- Collaborative, low-ego and hands-on approach
- Confident presenting insight and recommendations clearly and concisely
We believe great work happens when people feel supported, valued, and inspired- here's how we make that happen:
- 33 days holiday (25 days + bank holidays) + option to buy more!
- Salary sacrifice options (pension & childcare)
- Financial wellbeing platform to support your goals
- £1,250 annual The Fold gift voucher
- Bike to work scheme to save on bikes & equipment
- Employee Assistance Programme (confidential wellbeing support when you need it)
- Eye care support
- Enhanced maternity pay
- Friends & family discount - enjoy 50% off full retail price
- Summer Fridays for that early start to the weekend
- Fully stocked snack cupboards, fresh fruit, plus great coffee & tea
- Opportunities to give back through volunteering with our charity partner, Smart Works
Why The Fold
- A brand with a clear point of view and a fiercely loyal customer base
- Opportunity to play a highly visible role in a growing premium fashion brand
- Direct exposure to the leadership team and key strategic initiatives
- Broad and genuinely commercial remit with real influence on business performance
- Opportunity to help shape the next stage of international and operational growth
- Entrepreneurial environment with high levels of ownership and autonomy
- Collaborative culture with ambitious plans for the future
- Recent investment from a new owner. The brand is at a new chapter of growth across both existing and new channels, and operates internationally.
Diversity and Inclusion
We promote a diverse and inclusive workplace which harnesses the benefits of the diversity of our team and strives to represent the communities in which we live and work. Our vision is to establish an environment that attracts individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and talents, empowering them to contribute their best and authentic selves. We welcome and encourage applications from those who share our commitment to fostering this inclusive and authentic work culture.
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Head of Commercial Finance employer: The Fold London
The Fold London is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative work culture, allowing employees to thrive in a hybrid working environment. With a strong emphasis on professional growth and development, the company provides ample opportunities for career advancement while ensuring a supportive atmosphere for managing logistics and operations effectively across the global supply chain.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Finance
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like The Fold London are looking for when hiring for a Head of Commercial Finance.
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to The Fold London for the Head of Commercial Finance, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at The Fold London as a Head of Commercial Finance, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out The Fold London’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Head of Commercial Finance.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at The Fold London, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with The Fold London's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at The Fold London. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Fold London
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that The Fold London uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at The Fold London. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
