Finance Business partner

WHAT YOU DO MATTERS…      

River Island is embarking on an exciting journey as the business further invests to capitalise on the growth of digital and the Commercial Finance team sits at the heart of this decision making.

With the Head of Commercial Finance having joined the team at the end of 2016, the Commercial Finance team is working closely with senior stakeholders and commercial teams to drive the right decisions and ensure River Island is making the right decisions to continue to grow into the future.

This is a decision support & challenge role partnering the Property, Retail and Retail support (e.g shop fit and Safety and loss) teams, covering UK, Ireland, International Stores & franchise business channel (300 + stores)

Key Responsibilities

• Influence future store strategy through analysis and challenge
• Drive improved profitability through efficient cost base – identifying and analysing opportunities
• Ad-hoc Commercial Analysis presented to RI Founder and other senior stakeholder
• Support the Retail, Property and Finance stakeholders with accurate reporting and influential analysis
• Provide financial support for the Retail / Property business areas
• Evaluate opportunities and recommendations for investments and assess whether beneficial including store openings / new space and closures
• Commercial Analysis with recommendations to drive improved profitability
• Ownership of key reporting and analysis models – streamlining and ensuring fit for purpose
• Work with commercial teams to annual budget and update periodic forecasts with the Retail and Property teams challenge assumptions, variances, and suggest areas for efficiencies and opportunities
• Ownership of all Retail Mgmt accounts and reporting, analyse variances to budget/ prior year / forecast and provide associated insights on performance
• Deliver store profitability analysis and forecasts

WE KNOW WHAT WE’RE DOING… and we know exactly what experience we’re looking for!

• Confidence to challenge senior business partners
• Commercial experience in FMCG/Retail preferred but not essential
• Possess strong analytical skills and in particular can demonstrate the ability to draw conclusions and make recommendations
• Excellent communication skills and strong team player
• Relevant accounting qualification 4+ years post qualified experience
• Management Accounting experience
• Experience in commercial reporting – ability to challenge and streamline
• Strong, quick and accurate Excel skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities