Commercial Finance Manager

Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and commercially focused Commercial Finance Manager to lead, optimise, and elevate our financial operations.
In this pivotal role, you will be a strategic partner to the leadership team driving decision-making through incisive analysis, accurate and timely reporting, and the implementation of robust financial controls. You will play a central part in shaping financial strategy, maximising profitability, and embedding efficiencies that underpin sustainable business growth.-This is a high-profile role with significant impact, offering clear scope for progression within a fast-paced, growth-oriented, and collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
Alongside leading the Finance team and working closely with departments and leadership, this role will take full ownership of the financial processes, outlined as follows:
- Lead preparation of statutory and management reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
- Act as primary contact for external auditors and regulatory bodies
- Oversee VAT returns, CIS, R&D claims, P11D submissions, and other compliance obligations
- Maintain and reconcile the fixed asset register, including depreciation schedules
- Manage insurance and premises-related financial submissions
- -Support preparation of monthly management accounts, board packs, and cash flow reporting
- Own short- and long-term forecasting, providing scenario planning and risk analysis
- Deliver meaningful insights on financial performance, KPIs, EBITDA, and variance analysis
- Lead annual budgeting processes across departments, ensuring alignment with business objectives
- -Build strong relationships with senior leaders and operational teams, acting as a trusted advisor.
- Provide actionable commercial insights to drive decision-making and departmental growth.
- Review and manage client contracts and payment terms to ensure profitability and commercial alignment.
- Drive continuous improvement of finance processes, controls, and systems.
- Identify and implement best practices to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
- Enhance data integrity and reporting capabilities to support strategic decision-making.
- Oversee payroll, expense management, and credit control functions.
- Manage reconciliations, audit preparation, and working capital processes.
- Optimise invoicing procedures and ensure robust credit management.
- Lead cross-functional finance projects aligned to business strategy.
- Monitor and track project performance against budgets and forecasts.
- Support the leadership team with ad hoc analysis and strategic decision support.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in progressively senior finance roles
- Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business (desirable).
- Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS, taxation, and compliance requirements.
- Proven track record in a Commercial/Senior Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner role, ideally in a corporate or large-scale enterprise/LSE, would consider SME environment experience
- Demonstrable experience in forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and KPI reporting
- Manage statutory accounts, VAT returns, CIS, R&D claims, and other compliance reporting
- Strong background in management accounting and financial modelling, with ability to provide actionable insights that support growth and cost optimisation
- Experience in building and managing relationships with stakeholders and external partners
- Exposure to utilities, construction, or infrastructure industries (advantageous but not essential)
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability; strong proficiency with accounting software (Xero preferred)
- Excellent communication skills- and able to translate financial data into clear, commercial insights
- Strong business partnering skills. Confidence to challenge, influence, and support decision-making
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
- Track record of driving process improvements and implementing best practices
- Commercially astute with a strategic mindset and strong analytical ability
- Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented
- Collaborator with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organisation
- High levels of integrity, accountability, and professional judgement
- Motivated by growth and continuous improvement, both personally and organisationally
Benefits
- Enhanced annual leave provisions and Company sick pay
- Health & Lifestyle Rewards Scheme with Benenden Health (including discounts at 3500+ retailers including supermarkets, 24/7 GP service for you and your family, access to private healthcare and more)
- An additional day per year earnt after 3 consecutive years of employment, capped at 30 days excluding bank holidays.
- 2% above national minimum for employers contribution to your auto-enrolment pension fund
- Flexible hybrid working currently set at 3:2 (office/site to home working)
- Funding of relevant professional qualifications and memberships in line with our company Training and Professional Memberships Policy should this be desired or required for your role.-
- Companywide team events including a Summer team building day and Christmas party.
- Companywide salary review each year
- Favorable refer a friend reward scheme
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