Finance Business Partner - 12 month FTC

The Role   This is a fantastic opportunity to join Next’s dynamic Commercial Finance function, supporting a region of 110+ stores across our UK Stores business. The successful candidate will be responsible for bridging the gap between finance and our retail team, offering commercial input to drive performance, profitability and continue the current growth of Next operations.   The UK Stores operation is a high-profile and fast-paced part of the Next business, with regular engagement with senior operational managers. The role will involve monitoring and understanding financial performance, challenging costs, providing insight into key trends and opportunities, and working closely with business leaders to support informed commercial decision-making. As our UK Stores business continues to evolve, the Commercial Finance team plays an important role in ensuring that financial performance is understood and that the business has the information and analysis required to identify opportunities, manage costs and deliver its objectives.   The role is offered on an initial 12 month fixed term contract   What You Will Take On   The Finance Commercial Business Partner will provide finance support across a range of areas, including:   • Commercial performance management – Analyse and report on store sales, costs and profitability, providing clear insight into performance and highlighting key trends, risks and opportunities.   • Business partnering – Build strong relationships with senior operational managers and business stakeholders, providing financial guidance, challenge and support to help drive business performance.   • Sales reporting and forecasting – Report and analyse weekly sales performance, identify key drivers and support the production of accurate forecasts and financial outlooks.   • Cost management – Regularly review expenditure with finance partners and business owners, providing challenge where appropriate and helping stakeholders understand the financial impact of their decisions.   • Budgeting and planning – Support the twice-yearly budgeting process, working closely with key business stakeholders to develop accurate and commercially meaningful budgets and forecasts.   • Financial modelling – Develop commercial models and analysis to assess the financial impact and profitability of new initiatives, operational changes and investment opportunities.   • Commercial analysis – Provide insightful analysis to support decision-making, translating financial information into clear recommendations and actions for non-finance stakeholders.   • Ad hoc analysis and projects – Provide financial insight and analysis for business initiatives and projects as required, helping the wider Commercial Finance team respond to changing business priorities.   What You Will Bring   Alongside your technical finance skills, we are looking for someone who can build strong relationships and use financial information to influence commercial decisions.   You will ideally have:   • CIMA, ACCA or ACA qualification, or be part-qualified / actively studying towards a professional qualification.   • Strong Excel skills and a high level of IT literacy.   • Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret financial and operational information and identify the key drivers of performance.   • The ability to communicate financial information clearly and confidently to non-finance stakeholders.   • Strong commercial awareness and an interest in understanding how operational decisions impact financial performance.   • Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work to tight deadlines.   • The confidence to effectively manage, challenge and influence stakeholders, building strong collaborative relationships across the business to achieve shared outcomes.   • A proactive and self-motivated approach, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.   This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional to develop their business partnering experience within one of the UK's largest and most dynamic retail businesses.   #LI-DC1     #LI-DC1   You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 80 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global! * 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT) • Company performance based bonus • Sharesave scheme • On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas * 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty • Early VIP access to sale stock • Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops • Restaurants with great food at amazing prices • Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services • Free on-site parking • Financial Wellbeing • Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing • Apprenticeship • Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification • Direct to Work • Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store • Support Networks • Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other • Wellhub • Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.  We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.