We’re looking for a Commercial Finance Manager who will provide effective business partnering support to the Brand Tribe with responsibility for all aspects of financial management within the tribe.

This is a varied role where you’ll be involved in investment planning, goal setting, commercial performance insights, and KPI/financial performance reporting. You’ll look to identify opportunities to improve operational performance and bringing focus to the actions that will support effective commercial outcomes for the brand.

You will have a strong commercial drive and acumen, be naturally curious and have a customer-first attitude, with proven experience in a fast-paced retail environment. You’ll collaborate with both the Brand Tribe and other finance teams in building the Brand’s annual budget and quarterly forecast commitments will also be an important part of the role

What you’ll do as a Commercial Finance Manager:

Draw insights and actions from the performance tools like our Brand P&Ls and supporting the accuracy of data in those Brand financial reports and instruments
Including payroll management, marketing costs, expenses, travel etc. for their brand.
Review detailed managements accounts; provide in-depth analytical review, specifically comparing performance versus prior period & budget, with narrative and explanations of trends.
Working alongside Financial Control colleagues to provide support for relevant balance sheet control process and review of risks
Preparation of reporting and insight for inclusion within Board / Exec packs and other ceremonies for their Brand, and having the motivation to continually improve the finance product.
Business Partnering the General Manager, attending and contributing to relevant ceremonies, to challenge and discuss results, providing support for any queries and impediments.
Support and guide their Tribe through the budgeting and forecast process, consulting closely with the wider Commercial Finance team.
Develop strong stakeholder relationships across their Brand and wider Retail team.
Identify drivers of overspend, prepare ad hoc analysis, and develop recommendations to reduce financial risk and our cost to serve.
Support the development of a robust control environment by continuously identifying opportunities to improve financial systems and processes and by implementing these changes.
Manage workloads, identify future requirements, and support the Head of Commercial Finance with continuous improvement.
Support ongoing non-business as usual project work within the finance team as and when required.
Any other duties required by the business that are appropriate with the post, grade, and level of responsibility of this role, for which the holder has the necessary experience and training.

What experience will you have?

Qualified accountant with more than 2-years’ experience working in the retail sector, experienced in multiple areas of financial management / commercial business partnering.
Being close to the detail, data driven and analytical whilst also being able to articulate results clearly to non-finance individuals
Strong operational delivery record, motivated to implement/deliver on time to quality standards and build new efficient and agile processes
Demonstrated ability to quickly appraise complex situations, identify key issues and make tough, timely decisions
Excellent interpersonal relationships and ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships.
Ability to influence and engage at all levels of the organisation and experienced in communicating commercial language with a variety of media
Naturally inquisitive with a desire to understand a broad range of commercial issues

Required Key Characteristics

Vision and the ability to dis-aggregate it into near-term initiatives - Be able to paint a simple, but compelling finance vision that is easily understood and appeals to the ‘hearts and minds’ of the tribe.
Domain expertise - Have a comprehensive understanding of your customers, their core capabilities, and the end-to-end process. Be responsible for maintaining the brand P&L and identify opportunities, risks, and provide solutions.
Digitally Literate - Embraces a digital world with the capability to envision and build new business models, tools, and ways of working informed by digital
Integrator - Operates with the complete story in mind, understands and identifies connections, creates bridges and seamless experiences
Innovative Thinker - Constantly considers and investigates new ways to perform work and deliver value, with openness to creative ideas and experimentation
Data Obsessed - Feels passionate about, understands, and uses data to anticipate issues, identify opportunities, diagnose, test ideas, and design and improve solutions
Customer & Colleague Centric - Focuses on customers and their needs as the starting and end points for every initiative and solution

What’s in it for you?

Hybrid working
24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days
Annual bonus scheme
Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
Access to Apricity, a self-funding IVF benefit at a reduced rate
Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
A range of financial wellbeing support
Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance
Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice

N Brown – who we are and why work for us?

At N Brown, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

We’re a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We’re customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We’re experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We’re inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we’re sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in.. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!

Our full-time working hours are 36.17 per week over 5-days. We don’t have strict working hours therefore there is some flexibility around start and finish times as long as you are meeting the needs of the business.

Our promise to you:

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we’ll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!