Commercial Finance Manager

DescriptionAt 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, it keeps us pretty busy!We don’t stand still, we lead, evolve, and redefine online fashion. With bold ambitions and big energy, we’re on a mission to be the best, delivering the strongest propositions to our customers in the most engaging, innovative, and efficient ways possible.We thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers, people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.Be bold. Be creative. Be a community.The roleWe 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. What You'll Be DoingProduce and present the weekly trading report analysing business performance. Identify key trends/recommendations and communicate these to stakeholders and directorsAssist 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 planModel, understand and interpret financial and operational implications of strategic opportunitiesEnsure that ecommerce, product, marketing and operational KPIs are engrained within reporting and the impacts of these on performance are understood by key stakeholdersProduce 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 forecastsUnderstand the financial impact of promotional activity and the impact on own brand margins. Communicate this to relevant stakeholders to enable better decision makingModel and appraise commercial arrangements with concession partners, ensuring the agreed terms are beneficial to Debenhams GroupUnderstand end to end profitability for Debenhams Group brands sold on the Debenhams site, ensuring both Group and individual brand profitability is maximised and fairly apportionedAssess marketing channel performance to support decision making by the marketing teamUnderstand working capital of the Debenhams business, in particular funds held in escrow and cash flow to/from concession partnersAppraise the success of the physical beauty store, managing the Group’s cost exposure and ensuring commercial value is gained from this sitePro-actively look for opportunities to improve reporting and analysis to better support stakeholdersWork alongside analytics and BI functions to drive improvements in insight, reporting and processesLook to share best practice with other Group brandsOther ad hoc analysis and reporting as requiredWhat We Are Looking ForACA/ICAS/CIMA/ACCA (or equivalent) qualified. 2+ years’ post-qualified experienceStrong commercial acumen and business awareness is essentialComfortable dealing with, influencing and challenging senior business stakeholdersStrong analytical skills and the ability to manipulate and present data to produce meaningful informationExperience in a Commercial or Corporate Finance setting (retail/ecommerce preferred)Detail orientated with a strong focus on accuracyProactive and able to work independently and drive own agendaDemonstrable analytical and problem solving skillsAbility to thrive in a fast paced, continually evolving environmentStrong organisation & time management skillsEffective communication and interpersonal skillsProficiency in accounting software (Sage preferable) and Microsoft Excel.SQL, Power BI knowledge desirableMust be Advanced on Microsoft ExcelWhy Join Us2025 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 assuranceAccess to an on-site gym (Techno Equipment) and free weekly yoga and fitness classes40% discount across four brands and 20% off at DebenhamsA comprehensive wellbeing package to support your health and lifestyleSome of our offices are dog-friendly, so your furry friend can join you at workOngoing learning and development opportunities with great internal career progressionOn-site canteen serving breakfast, lunch, snacks, and hot drinks dailyFree season ticket loan