We are recruiting for a Lead Commercial Business Partner to join our Finance team in Bristol. This is a new and exciting role which brings the opportunity to be part of a growing commercial business partnering function. Key to the delivery of the firm's profitability and pricing strategies, this role offers a real influence on the business. You will be a true partner, building close relationships with senior management to gain a strong fundamental understanding of operations, analysing and modelling to identify opportunities, working with management to build plans to capitalise on these, and being a key part of delivery within a cross‑functional team.
Responsibilities
* Support the Head of Commercial Business Partnering in coaching and developing a team of Commercial Business Partners to perform at the highest level as trusted advisors, employee champions and change agents.
* Act as a key contributor within the Finance senior management team, leading and contributing expertise to key projects and providing direction on strategy and operational plans.
* Serve as deputy when the Head of Commercial Business Partnering is unavailable.
* Develop strong business relationships and be recognised as a trusted commercial advisor to Group and Team Leaders.
* Share expertise and act as a coach/mentor to support the development of Finance colleagues.
* Play a lead part in assigned fee‑earning group’s management meetings.
* Play a key role in onboarding partner lateral hires into the firm.
* Develop the relationship with the FP&A team to champion cohesive delivery of finance support, challenging existing ways of working so the CBP team is ‘fit for purpose’ to achieve aligned strategic goals.
* Foster excellent inter‑team working relationships, developing established ways of working with Business Development, Legal Technology and Legal Project Management teams to leverage combined commercial support.
* Deliver insight, analysis and recommendations to Group and Team Leaders on current performance, ensuring monthly and quarterly reviews are delivered on time and consistently.
* Support partners in modelling strategic and tactical pricing proposals to enhance the firm’s profitability, driving consistency of approach and best practice in pricing for panel pitches and individual matters.
* Oversee consistent delivery of targets related to all elements of the working capital cycle, providing timely updates on time recording, WIP creation and conversion, and ensuring corrective action is taken.
* Takes a lead on the exploration and promotion of Alternative Fee Arrangements (AFAs), weaving them into pricing proposals and adopting novel solutions to meet client needs while improving profitability.
* Work with Legal Project Management and Legal Technology teams to design and implement methodologies ensuring AFA matters meet projected cost bases and monitor project efficiency.
* Attend client meetings to discuss pricing and value‑add proposals.
* Oversee budgeting process for all aligned groups.
* Gain deep knowledge of the aligned group(s) to identify internal/external influences, risks and opportunities, anticipating stakeholder needs.
* Spot trends and examples of poor practice across the group, coaching partners and senior management to improve.
* Build and maintain strong internal and external networks across the firm and finance profession.
* Assist in delivering fee‑earner commercial training programmes.
Qualifications
* Experienced Lead or Senior Commercial Business Partner with a track record of operating at a senior level within a finance team.
* Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACA, ACCA) with 7 years PQE, or equivalent.
* Experience of leading and managing a high‑performing team of finance professionals.
* Significant experience of driving improved business insight across a sizeable commercial organisation.
* Broad base of knowledge across the finance function, including strong experience in an FP&A or business‑partnering role.
* Demonstrated experience of driving profitability improvement by influencing senior stakeholders’ business decisions and working cross‑functionally.
* Experience of presenting at board‑level meetings.
* Proven ability to quickly build credible, trust‑based working relationships with internal and external clients at a senior level.
* Proven ability to influence, coach and challenge senior leaders.
* Strong business/commercial approach and understanding of business needs.
* Robust, resilient, approachable and diplomatic communication skills, able to present complex ideas and handle challenging senior leaders.
* Strong project‑management and organisational skills, prioritising and managing multiple workstreams, meeting deadlines and responding to changing priorities.
* Good IT skills with experience of developing and maintaining complex financial models to drive commercial decisions.
* Excellence in commercial judgment, ensuring both the firm and client are central to decision‑making.
* Ability to manage multiple initiatives and projects simultaneously.
* Willingness to travel to different UK locations to support offices across Great Britain.
Benefits
* Competitive salary with annual pay review.
* Access to an extensive range of benefits via a flexible benefits scheme.
* 25 days holiday, increasing to 30 days based on length of service.
* Private medical insurance.
* Progressive fully flexible working approach, including hybrid working and support for work/life balance.
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