Commercial Analyst | S3 | CFO - Finance | Milton Keynes | Internal Mobility

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference. Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Santander UK is looking for a Commercial Analyst based out of Milton Keynes. We are looking for a commercial analyst to support the central FP&A function within Finance, through delivery of month-end reporting, planning, budgeting and stress-testing objectives, as well as other ad hoc activities. We are looking for someone who is able to provide commercial and strategic insight, providing clear, forward-looking commentary, and impactful insight/analysis on the performance of the overall bank. The individual will be required to understand the profitability and key measures of what makes the bank successful, and allows the bank to deliver on its commitments. The role is suitable for someone who understands the wider banking landscape, and is able to identify risks and opportunities against plan, assess future forecasts and strategic plans, and translate complex financial information into decision-useful recommendations for senior management, Executive and Board audiences.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Analysing monthly and year-to-date performance across the P&L, Balance Sheet, Capital and Liquidity, identifying the key commercial drivers of actual performance and variance to budget, forecast and prior periods.
• Developing concise, evidence-based commentary that explains what has happened, why it has happened, the implications for the outlook and the actions required.
• Identifying and quantifying emerging risks and opportunities to the plan, maintaining a clear view of potential financial impacts, timing, dependencies and management actions.
• Supporting rolling forecasts, annual budgets and multi-year strategic plans by reviewing assumptions, testing scenarios and ensuring the financial outlook is commercially coherent.
• Connecting external market, customer, competitor, economic and regulatory developments to the bank’s financial performance and forward outlook.
• Preparing high-quality performance materials for senior governance forums, with a clear narrative, consistent data and focused recommendations.
• Partnering with business and Finance teams to reconcile differing perspectives, challenge assumptions constructively and establish a single, credible view of performance.
• Maintaining robust controls, data lineage and review evidence for analysis and reporting, escalating data quality or control issues promptly.
• Improving reporting and forecasting processes through standardisation, automation, simplified outputs and more effective use of data and analytical tools.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring. The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Professional Experience:
• Excellent experience in FP&A, commercial finance, financial performance management or a closely related discipline within banking or financial services (Required)
• Demonstrable ability to analyse integrated financial performance across the P&L and Balance Sheet and produce forward-looking insight (Required)
• Experience supporting forecasts, budgets, strategic plans and scenario analysis (Preferred)
• Proven track record of producing concise materials for senior management or governance forums (Preferred)
• Advanced spreadsheet and financial-modelling skills, with confidence handling large and complex datasets (Required)
• Solid written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain complex issues simply and accurately (Required)
• Understanding of financial control, governance and the importance of data quality and auditability (Required)
• Education:
• Professional accountancy or finance qualification, or equivalent relevant experience (Required)
• Detailed knowledge of UK retail banking products, economics and performance measures (Required)
• Hard Skills:
• Great excel skills (Required)
• Building presentations in PowerPoint (Required)
• Understanding of PowerBI or similar (Preferred)
• Soft Skills:
• Great communication skills and ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders (Required)
• Advanced analytical skills and able to deliver under tight deadlines (Required)
• Proven track record of driving change and innovation (Required)
• Ability to influence others to obtain the right result for Santander (Required)
• Excellent understanding of how Santander generates shareholder value from its products (Preferred)

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return. Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

Salary Range: £53,500.00 - £80,250.00 per annum (depending on experience). This salary range represents the expected remuneration for the role. Annual salary is based on a standard 35-hour working week. Actual salary offered will depend on skills, experience, qualifications and location. Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.

Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.

Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.

Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.

Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates. We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow. To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles). When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply. For further Guidance please visit Internal Mobility - Candidate Guidance. If you want to know more about the opportunity: Please contact Stuart MacDonald - Stuart.MacDonald@santander.co.uk