Interim Group Finance Manager

Our client, a fast growing retail organisation requires an Interim Group Finance Manager. The role acts as Group lead for all financial aspects involved in both the short-term planning and long-term strategic processes. You will be responsible for leading the Global group budgeting and reforecasting process in line with the group timetable. The role is also the lead business partner for the UK sales team, providing both challenge and support. The position works closely with the Group Sales Director, the Group Finance Director and the other members of the Executive Committee. The role will provide high quality advice and support to internal decision makers e. business case analysis, costing analysis and should be able to interpret and clearly communicate financial information in order to drive both financial and operational change:

Key accountabilities:
*Lead the Group budget and reforecast processes including monitoring and delivery of information within agreed timelines
*As part of this lead UK Sales and Marketing budgeting and forecasting processes, providing robust challenge to senior management on forecast assumptions
*Preparation and delivery of timetables and responsibility mapping for reforecasts and budgets
*Deliver within predetermined deadlines Board and Executive Papers on Budgets and Reforecasts
*Lead liaison with business and relevant Heads of Department for budgets and forecasts
*Drive the quarterly revision of the Group five year plan;
*Continuously improve the budgeting and monthly reporting processes; contribute to the improvement of other finance processes and service
*Development and improvement of Planning Analytics with the Business Partner team and the Finance Systems Accountant
*Develop and improve management reporting and analysis on forecasting and budgeting
*Preparation of ad hoc financial analysis and management of ad hoc queries on sales and marketing financials in order to support and improve commercial decision making
*Support the Sales team on financial aspects for existing assignments, bids, proposals, pricing and reviewing commercial contracts as appropriate;
*Provide constructive challenge to senior members of sales and marketing teams on financial proposals and capital allocation decisions

The successful applicant will be a graduate calibre, qualified Accountant with experience gained in a series of dynamic, change-oriented businesses. You will have FP&A experience including delivering of forecasts in a high pressure, commercial environment with as Excellent attention to detail. Also essential skills will include very strong excel skills, comfortable manipulating large datasets using pivots, lookups and sumifs, business partnering experience, be able to develop successful relationships with senior staff across the Group with demonstrable experience of delivering process and systems improvements