Senior Commercial Finance Analyst

Debenhams Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Manchester is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to develop financial strategies, manage budgets, and ensure business success. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and strong analytical skills to navigate a fast-paced environment and enhance financial performance across brands.

Benefits

Highly competitive bonus scheme

Company pension and share schemes

Access to an on-site gym

40% discount across four brands

Comprehensive wellbeing package

Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• 2+ years' post-qualified experience in finance.
• Experience in a Commercial or Corporate Finance setting (retail/ecommerce preferred).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, continually evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Produce and present the weekly trading report analyzing business performance.
• Assist in the preparation of annual budget and quarterly reforecasts.
• Model and interpret financial and operational implications of strategic opportunities.

Skills

Strong commercial acumen

Analytical skills

Proficiency in Excel

SQL knowledge

Power BI knowledge

Detail oriented

Effective communication

Education

ACA/ICAS/CIMA/ACCA (or equivalent)

Tools

Sage

Microsoft Excel

Job description

At Debenhams Group, we are a diverse portfolio of five core brands (boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and Debenhams) alongside a dynamic marketplace model and a growing financial services division. We keep busy with bold ambitions and big energy, aiming to be the best by delivering the strongest propositions to our customers in engaging, innovative, and efficient ways.

We thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you embrace the unknown, thrive in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and are ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.

Be bold. Be creative. Be a community.

THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Finance Manager to join our growing team in Manchester. In this role, you will be responsible for driving our financial strategy, working with our partners, managing budgets, and ensuring the financial health and success of our business. As a strategic thinker with a proven track record of strong commercial awareness, you\'ll use all of that acumen to drive business success.

Joining our business at this exciting time means not only being the financial pulse but also helping to proactively shape its future. As a key player in our growth story, you\'ll have the chance to influence decision making, create new financial processes and collaborate across Debenhams and Karen Millen. This role offers a unique blend of retail and financial services experience allowing you to widen your experience whilst making a tangible impact on our financial performance.

We are looking for an ACA/ICAS/CIMA/ACCA (or equivalent) qualified Accountant with ideally 2+ years\' post-qualified experience. If you have knowledge of SQL and Power BI this is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Produce and present the weekly trading report analysing business performance. Identify key trends/recommendations and communicate these to stakeholders and directors
• Assist in the preparation of annual budget and quarterly reforecasts alongside the Group FP&A team, including detailed modelling of next 12 months and higher level modelling of 10 year plan
• Model, understand and interpret financial and operational implications of strategic opportunities
• Ensure that ecommerce, product, marketing and operational KPIs are engrained within reporting and the impacts of these on performance are understood by key stakeholders
• Produce weekly reforecasts of month end position to be shared with Group and Brand directors and work alongside Financial Reporting team to improve accuracy of these forecasts
• Understand the financial impact of promotional activity and the impact on own brand margins. Communicate this to relevant stakeholders to enable better decision making
• Model and appraise commercial arrangements with concession partners, ensuring the agreed terms are beneficial to Debenhams Group
• Understand end to end profitability for Debenhams Group brands sold on the Debenhams site, ensuring both Group and individual brand profitability is maximised and fairly apportioned
• Assess marketing channel performance to support decision making by the marketing team
• Understand working capital of the Debenhams business, in particular funds held in escrow and cash flow to/from concession partners
• Appraise the success of the physical beauty store, managing the Group\'s cost exposure and ensuring commercial value is gained from this site
• Pro-actively look for opportunities to improve reporting and analysis to better support stakeholders
• Work alongside analytics and BI functions to drive improvements in insight, reporting and processes
• Look to share best practice with other Group brands
• Other ad hoc analysis and reporting as required

Qualifications

• ACA/ICAS/CIMA/ACCA (or equivalent) qualified. 2+ years\' post-qualified experience
• Strong commercial acumen and business awareness is essential
• Comfortable dealing with, influencing and challenging senior business stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to manipulate and present data to produce meaningful information
• Experience in a Commercial or Corporate Finance setting (retail/ecommerce preferred)
• Detail orientated with a strong focus on accuracy
• Proactive and able to work independently and drive own agenda
• Demonstrable analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, continually evolving environment
• Strong organisation & time management skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in accounting software (Sage preferable) and Microsoft Excel
• SQL, Power BI knowledge desirable
• Must be Advanced on Microsoft Excel

WHY JOIN US

2025 is a year for making bold moves, delivering real results, and driving forward with unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, then you belong at Debenhams Group.

Let\'s lead the change together.

Benefits Include: (subject to level and eligibility)

• Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover, and life assurance
• Access to an on-site gym (Techno Equipment) and free weekly yoga and fitness classes
• 40% discount across four brands and 20% off at Debenhams
• A comprehensive wellbeing package to support your health and lifestyle
• Some of our offices are dog-friendly, so your furry friend can join you at work
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities with great internal career progression
• On-site canteen serving breakfast, lunch, snacks, and hot drinks daily
• Free season ticket loan

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