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- Tasks: Lead the commercial finance team and drive performance with actionable insights.
- Company: Wagamama, a vibrant Asian-inspired restaurant chain with over 165 locations in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30% bonus, £200 monthly food allowance, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and influence strategic decisions in a fast-growing company.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with significant commercial finance leadership experience.
- Other info: Enjoy a come-as-you-are culture and excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
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 are 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 in London employer: Wagamama
Contact Detail:
Wagamama Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land director of commercial finance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the finance and hospitality sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Wagamama's values and recent developments. Show how your experience aligns with their mission of delivering great food and vibes!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can drive performance improvements and provide actionable insights. Make it clear that you're the strategic partner they need.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the Wagamama team.
We think you need these skills to ace director of commercial finance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food and the hospitality industry shine through. We want to see how you connect with our mission of making every bite count!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in commercial finance, especially in multi-site or customer-led businesses. We’re looking for someone who can bring insights that drive performance, so be specific about your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and easy to read. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. Remember, we want to understand your skills and experiences quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with 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
Leading a large team is a key part of this role. Be prepared to talk about your leadership style and how you’ve developed high-performance cultures in your teams. Share specific examples of how you’ve coached team members and fostered a curious, problem-solving mindset.
✨Connect with the Company Culture
Wagamama values good vibes and good company, so it’s important to show that you align with their culture. Research their values and think about how your personal values resonate with theirs. During the interview, express your passion for food and hospitality, and how you can contribute to their mission of making every bite count.
