Commercial Finance Manager

Description:

The Commercial Finance Manager (CFM) plays a pivotal role in partnering with the Consulting business and Sector Operating Units to deliver real-time financial insight, strategic guidance, and commercial support. Acting as a trusted advisor, the CFM collaborates closely with Unit leadership to influence decision-making and drive value creation across bids, contracts, pricing, team structures, and operational delivery.

This role is central to ensuring financial rigour and commercial effectiveness through accurate and timely reporting of weekly and monthly results, variance analysis, and the preparation of quarterly forecasts and annual budgets. The CFM also leads on ad-hoc financial analysis and contributes to strategic projects that support business growth and performance.

Reporting into Corporate Finance and the CFO, the CFM operates across multiple business functions and engages regularly with senior stakeholders, offering high visibility and influence within the organisation.

What It Takes to Be a Great Commercial Finance Manager

Core Attributes of Excellence:

Strategic Influence: Actively shape business decisions and strategy by delivering timely, relevant commercial and industry insights.
Business Partnering: Operate as a trusted advisor and translator between Corporate and Consulting Units, aligning financial priorities with operational goals.
Commercial Awareness: Anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of both business units and corporate stakeholders.
Leadership & Communication: Demonstrate strong influencing skills, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively.
Data-Driven Insight: Interpret and assess both large-scale and granular data using appropriate analytical tools, tailoring outputs to diverse audiences.
Ethical Judgment: Uphold integrity, form well-reasoned opinions, and stand by them with professionalism and conviction.
Resilience & Agility: Thrive under pressure, adapt quickly to changing demands, and maintain focus on detail while managing ambiguity.
Forward Thinking: Learn from past performance while proactively identifying risks and opportunities ahead of time.
Credibility & Passion: Represent the CFO and organisation with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a commitment to excellence.

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Business Partnering

Deliver forward-looking financial analysis and performance reporting at client and Go-to-Market (GtM) levels.
Present insights to stakeholders in impactful formats, driving action and value through meaningful engagement.
Educate Unit Leads, Partners, and Consultants on financial principles and commercial acumen.
Lead workshops on finance topics such as bid modelling, the PA model and value creation strategies.
Provide commercial risk management support, including open book reporting and high-risk assignment reviews.
Engage across the full lifecycle of service delivery—from bid modelling to job closure—ensuring sound financial setup, pricing, and risk mitigation.

Financial Planning & Reporting

Deliver weekly, monthly, and quarterly performance reporting with variance analysis and actionable insights.
Lead forecasting, budgeting, and sensitivity modelling for business units and leadership.
Perform earned-value analysis to ensure accurate revenue and profit recognition.

Revenue & Profitability Oversight

Monitor job profitability against bid projections and advise on corrective actions.
Oversee job setup, invoicing, payment terms, and debt collection to manage working capital.
Review subcontractor arrangements and ensure accuracy in P2P processes.

Commercial & Risk Management

Actively manage contract risk portfolios, raising concerns and proposing commercially sound solutions.
Advise on non-routine financial matters including currency exposure, taxation, and interest implications.

Audit Preparation & Compliance

Lead internal audit readiness by preparing documentation, reconciling financial data, and ensuring compliance with internal controls.
Support external audit cycles, including the preparation of IFRS templates and coordination with auditors.
Ensure all financial activities are SOX compliant and follow established processes and policies.
Oversee subcontractor arrangements and P2P processes to ensure audit trail integrity and financial accuracy.

Risk & Controls Oversight

Actively manage contract risk portfolios, flagging concerns and proposing commercially sound solutions.
Monitor expense and cost anomalies, investigate out-of-policy spend, and implement corrective actions.
Provide commercial risk management support for high-risk assignments and open book reporting

Qualifications

The equivalent of a UK 2:1 degree

Qualified Accountant - CIMA, ACCA, ACA

Experience

Experience in dealing with and influencing senior stakeholders, excellent interpersonal skills required
Experience at managing cross-function/business relationships at all levels within an organisation is desirable
Strong commercial acumen and awareness
Advanced excel skills and data analysis
Previous experience in a global professional services environment and/or dealing with UK Government is highly desirable
Previous Line management experience.