Financial Governance lead

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VodafoneThree is seeking a senior commercial professional to govern strategic supplier relationships and oversee significant annual spend. You will steer governance, financial analysis and long-term contracts across cross-functional teams to maximise value for the UK network.

You will lead negotiations, develop enduring partnerships and ensure governance aligns with regulatory standards and corporate strategy, delivering measurable business impact.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of commercial models within telecoms or complex partnerships.
• Experience managing commercial contracts and developing effective partnerships.
• Ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams and influence change.
• Experience building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong understanding of financial planning, procurement, governance and risk.

Responsibilities

• Own the commercial governance of complex strategic supplier agreements with oversight of significant spend.
• Represent the business in contractual governance forums and provide financial insights.
• Develop and deliver long-term commercial strategies with business leaders.
• Lead contractual changes, compliance, disputes and risk mitigation activities.
• Foster collaborative solutions and shared ownership of outcomes across stakeholders.
• Partner with budget owners to ensure effective financial management and communication of implications.
• Evaluate scope changes with Procurement, Legal, Finance and business stakeholders.
• Build trusted relationships through transparent communication and stakeholder alignment.
• Support maintenance of long-term financial plans aligned to evolving priorities.
• Coordinate with Finance and business teams on budgets and variances.

Skills

Commercial models

Telecom contracts

Stakeholder management

Financial planning

Risk management

Data analysis

Job description

Location: Newbury +*Hybrid
Working hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week – Mon to Fri

*Hybrid
We believe that through collaboration and connection with our colleagues we can achieve great things. Our hybrid working approach allows our people to work both in the office and at home, providing the flexibility and resources you need to succeed in your role. We don't require you to be in on specific days; instead, we ask people to come into the office 2-3 days each week, for at least 8 days per month. You should work with your line manager to understand what their expectations are for you, your specific role and your team.

Who We Are

We’re here to build a network the UK can count on – one that connects people, places and potential. Because no matter where you live, what your background is, or how you get online – we think everyone deserves the same chance to stay connected, and with VodafoneThree, that future’s being built – today.

We’re creating more than the UK’s best network. We’re helping close the digital divide, empower communities and drive meaningful progress.

We believe that everyone should feel they belong. Whoever you are and whatever your story, there’s space for you here. We’re building a workplace where different perspectives are welcomed, voices are heard, and everyone feels safe to show up as themselves.

You’ll join a team that genuinely cares – about each other, about our customers, and about the future we’re building. From day one, you’ll be welcomed, valued and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.

Why VodafoneThree

Join us and you’ll be at the heart of change. That means building responsibly, investing sustainably and creating opportunities that last.

We’re not just expanding connectivity; we’re reimagining what a connected nation looks like. With £11bn invested in 5G and digital infrastructure, your work will directly power businesses, services, and communities across the country.

You’ll work on real challenges, with real impact, across every corner of the country. Wherever you join us, whatever your role, you’ll be helping to build a future that works better for everyone.

We move at pace, because what we’re building matters – and we’re learning as we go. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we’re just getting started.

Job Description

We’re creating something special. We are joining forces to create the biggest mobile network provider in the UK. Through our collective strengths and talents, we will transform customers’ experience and create a best-in-class network for coverage, connectivity, and reliability, delivering greater value and more choice for the nation than ever before.

There are very few moments in our careers where we can feel the ground shifting beneath us, where we can sense that something bigger than we’ve known before is taking shape. We’re not just building a company. We’re going to build a culture, a legacy and a future to be proud of. This will require remarkable leadership and together we can set the standard in the industry and beyond for both customer and employee experience, in what it is a career-defining opportunity.

This role governs VodafoneThree’s commercial relationships with the Cellnex Towerco, overseeing £0.4bn annual spend. It ensures strategic alignment, value creation, and effective governance across contractual, financial, and performance dimensions, leading on strategic and commercial discussions with VodafoneThree and Cellnex senior management.

What you'll do

• Own the commercial governance of complex strategic supplier agreements, with oversight of significant annual spend and accountability for contractual, financial, performance, and relationship outcomes.
• Represent the business in contractual governance forums, influencing senior stakeholders and providing insights, financial analysis, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop and deliver long-term commercial strategies in partnership with business leaders, driving value, achieving stakeholder objectives, and supporting business growth.
• Lead the commercial management of contractual changes, compliance matters, disputes, and risk mitigation activities.
• Promote a collaborative approach to resolving contract-related challenges, encouraging shared ownership of solutions and financial impacts across stakeholder groups.
• Partner with budget owners to ensure effective financial management, helping identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and clearly communicate commercial implications.
• Conduct strategic evaluations of contractual scope changes, working cross-functionally with Procurement, Legal, Finance, and business stakeholders to support governance decisions and maximise value.
• Build trusted relationships through transparent communication, active listening, and a commitment to delivering positive stakeholder outcomes.
• Support the maintenance of long-term financial plans, ensuring alignment with evolving business priorities and strategic objectives.
• Partner with Finance and business teams to maintain alignment on budgets and long-term plans, helping stakeholders understand key financial variances, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications

What you'll bring

• Knowledge of commercial models within the telecommunications industry or similar complex partnership environments.
• Experience managing commercial contracts and developing effective strategic partnerships.
• Ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams, bringing fresh thinking and positively influencing change and continuous improvement.
• Experience building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Strong understanding of financial planning, procurement, commercial governance, and risk management.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders to achieve shared goals and deliver positive outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, evaluate options, and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience using financial and scenario modelling to assess opportunities, risks, and business impacts.

We know that everyone is unique, with multiple aspects to their identity and different experiences behind them. We are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

Additional Information

Need to know

We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to interview for a role that matches their skills. In collaboration with our Talent, Diversity & Inclusion teams and our employee-led DEI Networks, we identified a range of reasonable adjustments to help you feel comfortable and perform at your best self during the interview process. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please contact your recruiter directly or email [e-mail] for guidance.

We use AI in different parts of our business to boost innovation, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities. We know many candidates use AI to fine-tune their CVs or prepare for interviews, but what we really care about is your unique experiences and achievements.

During the interview, we want you to rely on your own knowledge and skills to show us who you really are—your personality, creativity, and abilities. Above all, we’re looking for authenticity and can’t wait to get to know the real you.

#VodafoneThree

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