Finance Business Partner - ESG

Dunelm; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading homewares retailer in England is seeking a Finance Analyst to play a pivotal role in their ESG Reporting team. You'll be responsible for financial impact modelling related to sustainability risks and contribute to the overall reporting obligations of the business. This position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a passion for environmental sustainability. The ideal candidate will have experience in regulatory reporting and financial planning, offering an exciting opportunity in a dynamic and supportive work environment.

Benefits

Wellbeing support programs

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven ability in financial, non‑financial or other regulatory reporting.
• Experience in financial planning and analysis including month-end reporting.
• Advanced use of MS Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Deliver insights that uncover trends and spot opportunities.
• Manage the financial impact modelling for climate-related sustainability risks.
• Support the ESG Reporting team in achieving business sustainability targets.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communicator

Ability to influence decisions

Analytical thinking

Team leadership

Education

Recognised finance/accounting qualification

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Home. There's no place like it. And there's no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that's what we do. We're the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and supportive culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.

We are the UK's Number One homewares retailer offering c85,000 products building a consumer-focused total retail business that delights customers through our multichannel operation.

We are ambitious in our plans to drive further expansion of the business to more customers, shopping more frequently, with more choice, enhanced digital and physical services, and new capabilities to innovate and operate at pace in a fast-changing landscape. In developing the business for the long-term benefit of our customers, we are investing in our supply chain, stores and technology to improve the customer proposition as we move forward.

About our Finance team

Our Finance team sits at the heart of strategic decision‑making, working hand‑in‑hand with trading and operational teams to drive commercial success. We don't just manage the numbers - we make them meaningful. From customer transactions and procurement to financial reporting, we deliver insights that uncover trends, spot opportunities, and highlight risks.

With around 90 colleagues across UK and Ireland Group Finance, we offer a unique mix of breadth and depth. Our lean structure means every role is varied and impactful, while our scale gives you plenty of room to grow and explore different areas of finance.

We're not just supporting the business - we're shaping it. As Finance evolves, we're moving beyond transactional tasks to become strategic thinkers. Our team is transforming into proactive, cross‑functional advisors who use data to tell compelling stories and influence decisions.

Right now, we're embarking on a major finance transformation, including the implementation of SAP S/4HANA. This is a pivotal moment to modernise systems, enhance processes, and redefine how Finance operates across the business.

If you're passionate about making a difference, eager to grow, and ready to help shape the future of Finance, we'd love to hear from you.

Department Overview

Would you like to play a leading role in the sustainability journey of the UK's biggest homewares brand? It's an exciting time at Dunelm, as we look to expand our talented Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Reporting team within our Core Finance function.

In this role you will play a leading part in influencing and initiating change across the business to shape our approach to both reporting and delivering our sustainability, net zero and other ESG targets. Being part of our Core Finance function and reporting to the Senior Finance Manager for ESG, you'll partner a broad, cross‑functional group of stakeholders. You'll have plenty of opportunity to apply your existing finance experience and be well supported to grow new skills and knowledge.

What you'll be doing

• The maintenance and continuous improvement of financial impact modelling for climate-related and other sustainability risks.
• Owning and delivering several key outputs required to fulfil our external reporting obligations in areas such as; GHG emissions, Packaging Producer Responsibilities, Energy Consumption.
• The development of scenario models to provide insight and target actions over a range of planning horizons to inform our Transition Planning for GHG reduction.
• The continued development of our GHG emissions reporting capabilities and data management plan, working with the team and other stakeholders to ensure regular, efficient, accurate, actionable and auditable outputs.
• Robustly documenting methods, processes and assumptions associated with all reporting activities, producing highly communicable & auditable outputs.
• Proactively supporting the ESG Reporting team with advancing the ESG agenda across the business through building good quality relationships and providing high quality insights & analyses.
• The development of robust, tangible targets and performance measures to help the business track delivery of the activities upon which our ESG commitments depend.
• Supporting the production of Quarterly ESG metrics in line with the evolving needs of the business.
• Supporting with the ongoing refinement of the various meetings, forums and outputs associated with ESG activities to ensure good quality transparent and effective governance is in place.
• Being a positive role model, providing support and encouragement to the Analysts in the team to help build team coherence and aid in their continuous personal development.

What we'll look for in you

Whilst this will not be your average finance role, we are looking for many of the key qualities often associated with roles across finance functions, such as;

• Rigour & Review: You'll have a high level of diligence and attention to detail and support others to operate in the same way.
• Taking Responsibility: You'll take ownership, seeking to do the right thing and deliver the right outcomes.
• Connecting: You'll be seen as a 'go to' person for the areas you support and be a magnet for ESG reporting & compliance queries.
• Communicating: You'll share information and insight that helps others understand our ESG obligations and performance against ESG targets, to drive action in the business.
• Challenging: You'll have the courage to speak up when you see things that could be improved and offer well thought through recommendations.
• Adapting: You'll be versatile in taking the lead on a range of different tasks and responsibilities.
• Growth Mindset: You'll proactively seek to learn new things, to self‑improve and to expand your contribution.
• Long Term Thinking: You'll be ambitious about achieving our targets and about driving change across the business to do so.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Proven ability in financial, non‑financial or other regulatory reporting, with strong knowledge of accounting principles and effective controls.
• Experience of financial planning and analysis including month‑end, annual reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Holding or working towards a recognised finance/accounting qualification will be highly advantageous.
• Experience of managing costs and data related to regulatory obligations (eg. pEPR or other indirect taxes).
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to understand the financial impacts related to ESG topics.
• Experience in business partnering operational teams, particularly those related to product, sourcing or supply‑chain.
• Advanced use of MS Office applications incl. producing high quality presentation content via PowerPoint and completing complex data analysis in Excel.
• Experience of working in a large, complex business.
• A highly analytical thought process; both numerical and textual.
• Able to demonstrate an enthusiastic, proactive approach to building strong stakeholder relationships, whilst being unafraid to challenge the status quo at all levels.
• Experience of applying a range of planning techniques to effectively communicate and deliver short-, medium-, and long‑term actions/goals cross‑functionally.
• Knowledge of the ESG reporting landscape, particularly UK SRS, Transition Planning, ISSB, TCFD, Carbon Accounting and the GHG Protocol.
• Knowledge of Systems Thinking and its effective use in understanding the relationships within complex networks.
• Experience of line management or providing similar support in the effective development and upskilling of others.
• Ability to research and understand complex subjects (eg. financial standards, large scale surveys, regulatory or other consultations) and use the findings to effectively influence the strategic direction taken.
• Ability to lead others through complexity & ambiguity to uncover meaningful insights & produce actionable recommendations.
• Ability to stand back and see the bigger picture and the impact of the work on the wider finance team and the business.
• Ability to identify risks and opportunities across a range of horizons and experience of documenting and implementing effective management and mitigations.

D&I statement

Dunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio‑economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Our commitment to you

Accessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives.

Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you're completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner.

Work your way

We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves.

In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with.

Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here

From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area - and at every stage - of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Taking opportunities

Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it's a really exciting time to join us.

Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.

At Dunelm, we love every aspect of the design process. We're continually researching new developments in packaging, materials and production methods, tapping into new data insights and keeping track of changing lifestyle trends. We're hugely collaborative in the way we work. Together, the teams here have a direct impact on our success, creating amazing products that drive sales and delight our customers, as well as providing direction for our wide and varied range of brands.

Where you'll be working

Here is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites.

Watermead Business Park, Pontylue Way, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE7 1AD