Our Platform, Your Opportunity
DLA Piper, a leading global law firm, is looking for a commercially minded professional to join as a Commercial Finance Business Partner who will be a key part of our Finance Business Partnering team sitting within the Finance function.
The firm is split across seven practice groups, each with a presence throughout the International offices. Each group is a separate area of law with its own management structure. The Finance Business Partner team work closely with the business to provide budget assurance, performance improvement, strategic financial leadership and proactive financial support to the International Group Heads and Group Head of Operations in managing their Practice Groups.
The firm's increasing focus on finance business partnering has only enhanced the demand for commercial finance support and analyusis. The wider commercial finance team has been an area of investment for the firm, both by way of increased resource and investing in new technology, as the function supports our Partners at an international level.
The successful candidate will become part of a team which is responsible for providing commercial finance support to the firm's senior leadership. They are also heavily involved in the budgeting and reforecasting processes. The team works collaboratively with other functions such as HR, Marketing, Knowledge Management, Innovation and is also delivering commercial financial training across the firm. The main purpose of this appointment is to support the team on day to day activity as well as providing financial analysis and data across the Firm's groups. The reports and analysis generated will be delivered to the firms most senior stakeholders so a keen eye for detail and the ability to produce 'client ready' work is imperative.
The main purpose of this appointment is to support the team on day to day activity as well as providing financial analysis and data across the Firm's groups. The reports and analysis generated will be delivered to the firms most senior stakeholders so a keen eye for detail and the ability to produce 'client ready' work is imperative.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
* Proactively working with finance business to provide financial expertise and support, e.g. effective and regular presentations for partner meetings, identifying initiatives to improve financial performance relating to profitability, working capital and financial efficiency
* Support the annual planning and budgeting process for the practice groups and support the delivery and maintenance of group led strategic plans
* Contribute to the wider commercial review and playback of the budget to the Finance Leadership Team and contribute to the presentation of the firmwide budget for approval by Executive and Board
* Enabling the finance business partners and practice groups to achieve their objectives, make decisions and plan appropriately through the effective understanding and use of financial analysis
* Interpretation of monthly finance MI into insightful commentary, analysis, and articulation of required management actions
* Working on ad-hoc projects including financial modelling for required initiatives, such as lateral hires, partner promotions, practice area and geographic expansion
* Working with colleagues across the Finance function in supporting the delivery of the finance curriculum agenda for the lawyers and partners
* Providing necessary financial support to ensure strategic business development, client retention and increased client profitability within the practice groups
* Work in conjunction with the finance business partners and credit control to ensure visibility of any issues within the practice groups and assist in finding a resolution
* Providing finance support to the wider Commercial Finance team
ABOUT YOU
* Ability to analyse and model financial data and prepare concise reports to assist strategic discussions - must be an advanced user of Excel and PowerPoint
* A continuous improvement mentality to support development of self, business processes and interactions
* Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal
* Confident presence, and interpersonal skills that enable effective engagement and collaboration with the departments senior leadership
* Tenacity, resilience and patience when dealing with difficult and challenging issues and calmness under pressure
* Flexibility and able to adapt readily to changing requirements and circumstances
* Dynamic problem solving abilities; finding creative, commercial and pragmatic solutions
* The ability to work well and operate comfortably within a partnership structure / culture
* Ability to build relationships with, and influence, senior stakeholders to ensure our commercial perspective is clearly communicated
* Ability to flex working style to collaborate across functions and geographies and adapt to change
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