Head of Commercial Finance - The Works : Job Details

Location

Hybrid: 1-2 days at our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham. 

Why The Works?

10th Best Big Company to Work For 2024 - 'Best Companies'

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

The Works. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

Become a Head of Commercial Finance

As the Head of Commercial Finance, you'll lead a talented team of Commercial Finance Business Partners and Finance Analysts, providing strategic financial insights and partnering with senior management to boost financial performance. Your expertise will be crucial in guiding commercial decisions and ensuring alignment with our company's goals.

Your Mission

Leading and Inspiring the Team:

• Inspire and Energise: Lead, mentor, and develop a brilliant team of Commercial Finance Business Partners and Finance Analysts, creating a buzzing, high-energy environment where collaboration thrives, all striving for commercial success.
• Deliver Excellence: Deliver insightful, meaningful and helpful financial analysis that allows our partners to make the right tactical and strategic decisions.

Strategic Business Partnering:

• Build Strong Bonds: Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and their teams, offering game-changing financial insights to steer strategic decisions, and become one of their most valued business partners.
• Boost Performance: Influence and challenge business decisions to guide financial performance and smash commercial targets.

Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Own the Process: Take the reins on budgeting and forecasting, from planning and communication to consolidation and board sign-off, aligning everything with our business goals and highlighting key risks and opportunities.
• Lead Reporting: Own the month-end reporting process, including the board report, and keep the latest P&L and cashflow outlook up to date.
• Strategic Oversight: Oversee the 5-year plan process, develop our cashflow and balance sheet modelling, and produce insightful analysis and commentary for interim and full-year plc results materials.

Commercial Support:

• Guide Smart Decisions: Support key operational, commercial, and financial targets, providing savvy commercial decision-making guidance to our executive leaders.
• Enhance Reporting: Develop and refine financial reporting and modelling, offering various options and scenarios to drive performance and cost efficiencies.

Continuous Improvement:

• Innovate and Improve: Drive the development of cutting-edge management information (MI) reporting, systems, and processes, always on the lookout for ways to enhance efficiency.
• Lead Change: Initiate and lead impactful process improvements, making sure they are implemented effectively and continuously enhanced.

Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

Qualifications:

• Fully qualified ACA/CIMA/ACCA.

Experience:

• Experience of managing a Commercial Finance function.
• Extensive commercial business partnering experience, preferably in a retail or fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience in budgeting and forecasting processes, including reviewing and challenging commercial targets.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence colleagues at all levels.
• Commercially astute with a strong desire to understand key business drivers.
• Strong analytical skills, with attention to detail and the ability to work under time pressure.
• Proficiency in Excel and experience with MI tools such as Cognos, TM1, Aptos (desirable).

Attributes:

• Motivated and self-sufficient, with a proactive approach.
• Naturally inquisitive and confident to challenge accepted assumptions and processes.
• Strong organisational skills, flexible, and able to adapt quickly to deliver fast turnaround on ad-hoc tasks.

Being a great leader 

As a great leader with wonderful people skills, you'll create an environment that's more than just co-workers — it's a team.•Align Goals with Values: Ensure that your team’s goals are clearly connected to the company’s values and purpose. This helps colleagues see the bigger picture and understand how their work contributes to the overall mission.•Clear Communication: Ensure that your team understands the goals, expectations, and their roles. Regularly share updates, encourage open dialogue and have regular check-ins.•Role Model: Lead by example. Demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you expect from your team, such as punctuality, responsibility, and being a brand ambassador.•Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback regularly. Recognise achievements and address areas for improvement in a supportive and continuous growth manner.•Empower Your Team: Delegate tasks and trust your team to handle them. This builds confidence and promotes professional growth.•Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts promptly and fairly. Foster an environment where issues can be discussed openly and resolved amicably.•Empathy: Understand and consider the feelings and perspectives of your team members. This helps in building strong, supportive relationshipsAnd let's not forget about the most important part… your team's well-being and aspirations. You'll be their biggest supporter, cheering them on. You'll have amazing everyday conversations with your team, discussing everything from their performance to their wildest career aspirations.

Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’