Head of Commercial Finance- Financial Services

We're looking for a Head of Commercial Finance supporting our Financial Services domain, to join our finance team here at N Brown Group. This is a high-profile role within the Finance function with exposure to senior leadership across the business. The role will lead across all aspects of reporting and planning for Financial Services and will be a trusted partner to the Financial Services Finance Director to lead and develop the team.

• Lead the month-end FS margin reporting cycle, including performance narrative, review of reporting packs, and preparation of analysis for senior stakeholders.
• Produce and review SLT bridges for YTD and YTG positions, ensuring clarity of key drivers and risks.
• Deliver targeted deep-dive analysis and papers addressing specific queries and emerging issues and making recommendations on actions to enhance financial performance.
• Assess Risk and Opportunities impacts and ensure alignment with the broader financial performance narrative.

• Oversee quarterly FS margin forecasting, including decision on inputs, review of outputs, and challenge of assumptions.
• Guide discussions with key stakeholders to ensure they are aligned on the assumptions driving the forecast requirements from a financial perspective.
• Continuously improve the forecast models and processes so that they operate accurately and efficiently and reflect changes in the business and its performance.

• Support strategic decision-making for the FS division through ownership of the R&O process across both margin and cost lines.
• Evaluate business cases, initiatives, and commercial opportunities, advising on financial viability and risks.
• Support weekly KPI reviews and contribute to group-wide strategic initiatives.
• Drive enhancements to data outputs, dashboards, and performance reporting tools.
• Support with regulatory and compliance issues, including provision requirements, judgement papers and coordinating input from external partners

• Guide FS cost month-end reporting, ensuring clear performance narrative and pack review.
• Produce SLT bridges for YTD and YTG cost positions with high-quality insights.
• Conduct targeted costing analysis and assess R&O impacts.
• Support year-end audit requirements and external queries.

• Provide financial leadership on major transformation initiatives, including capex/opex estimation, resource/supplier costing, and commercial benefits assessment.
• Drive project accounting processes, policies, and controls, including intangible asset judgments and supporting documentation.
• Review monthly CFO packs and contribute to programme governance forums.
• Support Target Operating Model development, financial sizing, and long-term planning (including 5-year NPV assessments).
• Produce and review financial sections for board papers and funding request submissions.
• Contribute to audit queries relating to transformation activities.

• Guide weekly team prioritisation, communication of key business developments, and resolution of emerging issues.
• Drive team capability building, development planning, and performance management through regular coaching and reviews.
• Foster a positive, high-performing team culture and support overall morale and engagement.
• Chair finance huddles where required and share updates, achievements, and recognition at monthly finance meetings.
• Oversee team administration and ensure alignment with broader Finance governance and communication rhythms

• Qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience in senior commercial finance roles.
• Proven track record of leading forecasting, planning, and performance reporting in fast-paced Financial Services organisations.
• Demonstrable experience of business partnering at SLT/Exec level, with the ability to influence, challenge, and drive commercial decisions.
• Strong background in financial modelling, scenario analysis, and interpreting complex data into actionable insight.
• Experience managing regulatory, compliance, or provisioning-related financial processes.
• Proven leadership of high-performing finance teams, including coaching, capability building, and organisational development.

• Deep knowledge of margin drivers, customer behaviours, and commercial levers within Financial Services or similarly complex sectors.
• Advanced proficiency in forecasting methodologies, long-term planning, and risk & opportunity management.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, judgement areas, and the financial governance required for large-scale initiatives.
• Ability to lead investment appraisal, NPV analysis, business casing, and transformation programme financials.
• Comfortable navigating audit processes, year-end…