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- Tasks: Lead the commercial finance team and drive performance with actionable insights.
- Company: Join wagamama, a vibrant Asian-inspired restaurant chain with over 165 locations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30% bonus, £200 monthly food allowance, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while enjoying delicious food perks.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with significant commercial finance leadership experience.
- Other info: Embrace a come-as-you-are culture with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
London 📍 | Hybrid 3 days a week at London HQ | Competitive salary + 30% bonus
At Wagamama, food is life 🥢 and we’re here to make every bite count. With over 165 restaurants across the UK (and growing fast) we’ve been dishing up vibrant, fresh Asian inspired flavours since ‘92. It’s all about good food, good vibes, and good company 🍜🔥.
We’re looking for a Director of Commercial Finance to join us on our journey 🌱 ready to dive in and stir things up.
PurposeTo lead the commercial finance team in providing timely and actionable insight to create value and drive performance, supporting the strategic objectives of the business and to be a trusted commercial expert within the senior leadership team.
What you’ll do- Lead the commercial finance agenda and provide high quality commercial insight that influences and drives positive change.
- Act as a strategic partner to the exec team and own the weekly/monthly trading narrative for the business.
- Identify performance drivers, highlight risks/opportunities and translate performance into recommended actions; includes production and delivery of monthly UK exec pack.
- Own the reporting for all revenue channels (dine in and out of restaurant).
- Business partner the exec director – operations to help set the strategic direction and focus for restaurant teams and improve profitability.
- Lead commercial modelling and insight for major trading decisions/investments and ensure they are underpinned by robust analysis.
- Oversee the end-to-end budgeting, forecasting and planning process.
- Collaboration with group FD and management accounts team to understand periodic P&L, understand variances to budget, and ensure consistency of reporting and messaging.
- Oversee menu and pricing strategy support, ensure tight governance around gross profit margin and business partner with marketing, food and supply chain teams.
- Lead investment appraisal for new site openings, refurbishments and other growth initiatives. Business partner the property director to understand new site opening pipelines, estates matters and restaurant closures.
- Collaborate with the customer insight and commercial strategy director to connect customer and financial data to drive valuable insights that convert into tangible actions to deliver customer led growth.
- Lead, coach and develop the team to create clear role scopes, development paths and a high-performance culture. Champion a curious and ‘problem solving’ mindset throughout the team.
- Qualified accountant - ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
- Significant commercial finance leadership experience in a multi-site, customer-led business (hospitality/casual dining strongly preferred).
- Experience of leading a large team.
- Proven track record driving performance improvements through insight and influencing operational leaders.
- Strong background in FP&A (budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning) plus business partnering.
- Pro-active, strategic thinker and passionate about delivering insightful information that drives positive change.
- Curious, a confident influencer, action orientated and able to challenge constructively.
- Proven track record of making complex information quick and easy to understand, to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
- Come as you are culture, with modern offices, fresh fruit and soft drinks.
- £200 monthly Wagamama food allowance — enjoy all your favourite dishes on us!
- Private healthcare for family + further discounts across retail, hospitality & leisure — perks that make life sweeter.
- Supporting you every step of the way! Family-friendly pay: 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for expectant or adopting parents.
director of commercial finance employer: Wagamama
Contact Detail:
Wagamama Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land director of commercial finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and hospitality sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Wagamama is all about good vibes and fresh flavours, so think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to share examples that showcase your fit.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to come across as confident and knowledgeable. Rehearse how you’d explain your commercial finance expertise and how it can drive performance at Wagamama. Keep it concise but impactful!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s make every bite count together!
We think you need these skills to ace director of commercial finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the director of commercial finance role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements in commercial finance to grab our attention!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission at wagamama. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Share examples of how you've influenced performance improvements or driven change in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can connect the dots!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our vibrant team at wagamama!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wagamama
✨Know Your Numbers
As a director of commercial finance, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the hospitality industry, such as gross profit margins and revenue channels. Be ready to discuss how you've used these numbers to drive performance improvements in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Wagamama is looking for someone who can act as a strategic partner to the exec team. Prepare examples of how you've influenced strategic decisions in the past. Think about times when your insights led to positive change and be ready to share those stories.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
You'll be leading a large team, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership style. Prepare to discuss how you've developed high-performance cultures and coached teams to success. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a curious and problem-solving mindset within your team.
✨Connect with the Company Culture
Wagamama values good vibes and good company, so make sure you connect with their culture during the interview. Research their values and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be genuine and show enthusiasm for their mission of making every bite count!
