At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic finance initiatives and provide commercial insights to shape decision-making.
- Company: Join Markerstudy, a leading UK insurance provider with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-visibility role within a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Senior finance leadership experience and strong stakeholder management skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a fast-paced environment driving innovation in the insurance sector.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Markerstudy Insurance Group is one of the UK's leading personal lines insurance providers, insuring around 10% of private cars, 20% of commercial vehicles and over 30% of motorcycles on UK roads. We are now looking for a Head of Strategic Finance to join our Pricing function in Manchester. This is a senior, high-impact role, partnering closely with Pricing, Finance and the wider business to provide commercial insight that directly shapes strategic decision-making.
As Head of Strategic Finance, you will lead the Strategic Finance agenda within Pricing, translating complex commercial and pricing initiatives into clear financial insight for senior stakeholders. You will own multi-year P&L forecasting, support income optimisation activity and play a key role in shaping and delivering Markerstudy's strategic pricing roadmap. This is a highly visible leadership role with regular exposure to executive stakeholders, including responsibility for chairing strategic forums and guiding long-term financial decisions.
What you'll be doing:
- Building and maintaining multi-year P&L forecast models to support strategic and commercial decision-making
- Quantifying the financial impact of pricing and business initiatives and communicating these clearly to senior stakeholders
- Leading financial and pricing KPI reporting and performance monitoring
- Supporting and leading income optimisation initiatives
- Preparing and presenting materials for monthly strategic and executive-level meetings
- Chairing strategic meetings and providing clear financial direction and challenge
- Managing and developing the Strategic Finance team
- Working closely with Finance to ensure data consistency and aligned assumptions
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and accurate delivery of strategic finance outputs
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience in a senior commercial or strategic finance leadership role
- Senior Manager level experience from a Big 4 or leading professional services firm within Financial Services, with strong exposure to commercial finance, strategic modelling and senior stakeholder engagement
- Strong background in financial modelling, forecasting and large-scale P&L analysis
- Excellent stakeholder management and presentation skills, with experience influencing at a senior level
- Confident working with complex datasets and translating insight into clear commercial narratives
- Advanced Excel capability (including Power Query and Pivot) and strong PowerPoint skills
- Experience within Financial Services (insurance experience highly desirable)
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, change-driven environment
What you'll bring:
- A collaborative, proactive leadership style
- Strong commercial acumen and attention to detail
- A logical, analytical mindset with a passion for improving processes and driving innovation
- The confidence to challenge, influence and lead at executive level
Why join Markerstudy?
You’ll be joining a business investing heavily in data, pricing sophistication and innovation, with the opportunity to shape strategic outcomes at scale. This role offers genuine influence, visibility and the chance to build something meaningful within a growing, ambitious insurance group.
Head of Strategic Finance employer: Vermelo RPO
Contact Detail:
Vermelo RPO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Finance
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with professionals in strategic finance or related fields. This is your chance to learn more about the role and the company culture while showcasing your enthusiasm and knowledge. Plus, it could lead to job opportunities down the line!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your financial modelling and forecasting skills. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, having tangible examples of your work can really set you apart from the competition. We want to see how you can bring value to the team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Markerstudy and being part of our exciting journey in the insurance sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Strategic Finance role. Highlight your experience in commercial finance and strategic modelling, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders and driven financial insights in previous positions. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t hold back on your Excel and PowerPoint skills! Mention any advanced techniques you’ve used, especially in financial modelling and forecasting. We’re looking for someone who can handle complex datasets and present them clearly to our executive team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vermelo RPO
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Strategic Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial modelling and P&L analysis. Brush up on your forecasting skills and be ready to discuss how you've successfully built and maintained multi-year P&L forecasts in the past.
✨Master Stakeholder Engagement
This role involves regular interaction with senior stakeholders, so practice articulating complex financial insights clearly and concisely. Prepare examples of how you've influenced decision-making at an executive level and be ready to showcase your presentation skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Highlight your collaborative and proactive leadership style during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed and developed teams in previous roles, and share specific instances where your leadership made a significant impact on strategic outcomes.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle fast-paced, change-driven environments. Think of scenarios where you've had to adapt quickly or challenge the status quo, and be ready to explain your thought process and the results of your actions.