Commercial Finance Manager
Drives business growth by providing financial insight and strategic support to commercial and sales teams.
Overview
The role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration, where financial data is translated into actionable business strategies. Daily tasks shift between rigorous quantitative analysis and stakeholder management, requiring the ability to explain complex financial concepts to non-finance colleagues. The rhythm of the work follows both the standard monthly reporting cycle and the fast-paced demands of live commercial deals and market shifts.
Success in this career depends on a blend of technical accounting precision and a deep understanding of market dynamics. Those who thrive are often analytically minded individuals who enjoy solving open-ended business problems and influencing decision-making processes. The environment is intellectually demanding, focusing on identifying trends, mitigating risks, and uncovering opportunities for margin expansion in competitive landscapes.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain detailed financial models to support pricing decisions and investment cases.
- Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to create accurate revenue forecasts and budget targets.
- Analyze monthly commercial performance against benchmarks to identify variances and underlying drivers.
- Provide financial oversight and guidance during the negotiation of high-value customer contracts.
- Lead the process for evaluating the return on investment for trade promotions and marketing campaigns.
- Present periodic financial reviews and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and department heads.
- Implement process improvements to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of commercial reporting.
Qualifications
- A bachelor degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related quantitative field is essential.
- Professional accounting certification such as CPA, ACCA, or CIMA is typically required.
- Extensive experience in financial planning, analysis, or commercial accounting is mandatory.
- Advanced proficiency in spreadsheet software and financial modeling techniques is necessary.
- Strong competency in utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Business Intelligence (BI) tools.
- Demonstrated experience in managing cross-functional stakeholder relationships at various levels.
Nice to have
- A Master of Business Administration (MBA) provides a significant competitive advantage.
- Previous experience within the specific industry or sector of the hiring organization.
- Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
- History of leading finance transformation projects or system implementations.
Work environment
- Work is primarily conducted in professional office settings or through structured hybrid arrangements.
- The role involves regular interaction with diverse teams including Sales, Marketing, and Operations.
- Standard full-time hours are common, with increased intensity during budget cycles and year-end reporting.
- Modern software suites including cloud-based financial planning tools and CRM systems are used daily.
- Occasional travel may be required to visit regional offices or participate in business reviews.
Benefits & growth
- Compensation packages typically include a competitive base salary and performance-linked bonuses.
- Career progression often leads to roles such as Head of Commercial Finance or Finance Director.
- Many organizations offer professional development budgets for continuing education and certifications.
- The role provides broad exposure to business operations, facilitating transitions into general management.
- Standard corporate benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave are provided.
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