Head of Finance - Group Reporting

Summary

At M&S, we’re redefining what it means to be a modern retailer. As Head of Finance, Group Reporting, you’ll lead the end-to-end Group Reporting function and be accountable for high-quality internal and external reporting, technical accounting and listed company reporting. Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, you’ll advise senior leadership on significant accounting judgements, reporting impacts and governance, while providing Finance support on non-financial reporting matters e.g. TCFD, CSRD and S1/S2.

This is a central M&S Finance leadership role with significant senior exposure, responsibility for delivering some of the Group’s most important reporting outputs and the opportunity to shape the operating model, team and future reporting agenda. You’ll also be an active member of the Finance Leadership Group, helping to shape the direction of M&S Finance.

To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.

What you’ll do

• Lead the end-to-end Group Reporting function, setting priorities, standards and ways of working across monthly, interim and year-end cycles. You’ll own the quality and timely delivery of Group financial statements, preliminary and interim results, management reporting and Finance content for the Annual Report, ensuring the integrity of consolidation, cash flow, balance sheet and disclosures, with robust evidence and review of significant judgements.
• Lead technical accounting, policy and governance, providing expert advice on complex matters including impairment, adjusting items, segments, pensions, share schemes, corporate transactions and provisions. You’ll be accountable for preparing clear papers and recommendations for the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and Board on material reporting, accounting and control matters.
• Own key reporting relationships and drive continuous improvement, leading the Group Reporting relationship with the external auditor and overseeing subsidiary statutory accounts, surfacing issues early and securing well-evidenced outcomes. You’ll drive simpler, sustainable reporting through stronger processes, controls, systems, data, automation and analytics, while representing Group Finance on major corporate and transformation projects.
• Lead and be responsible for Finance support for ESG and non-financial reporting, covering the finance-related requirements of TCFD, CSRD and IFRS S1 and S2, translating regulatory change into clear plans, ownership and reporting processes. You’ll ensure consistency between financial statements, sustainability disclosures, risks, scenarios, judgements and estimates, partnering closely with ESG, Legal, Company Secretariat, Risk, Internal Audit, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications to deliver coherent external reporting.
• Lead, coach and develop the Group Reporting team, establishing clear accountability, succession, inclusive high performance and resilience through peak reporting periods. Acting as deputy to the Group Financial Controller on Group Reporting matters, you’ll provide confident advice and constructive challenge to senior Finance and business leaders, building effective relationships across business unit Finance, Tax, Treasury and Group functions and setting a strong tone for integrity, professional scepticism and timely escalation

Who you are

• A chartered accountant with significant senior experience in Group Reporting, technical accounting or external audit within a large UK listed group, with strong consolidation and external reporting experience essential.
• A technically strong Finance leader with deep knowledge of IFRS, UK listed company reporting and governance, alongside a practical understanding of TCFD, CSRD and IFRS S1 and S2. Experience within retail or consumer businesses would be advantageous.
• Commercially astute with excellent judgement and problem solving skills, comfortable navigating complex accounting and reporting matters, balancing technical rigour with the wider commercial context and making clear, well-evidenced recommendations.
• Resilient and highly organised, able to prioritise effectively, operate confidently through demanding reporting cycles and lead sustainable improvement while maintaining quality, governance and control under pressure.
• An exceptional communicator and collaborative leader, able to build credibility and confidently influence and challenge the CFO, Group Finance Director, Finance Leadership Team, business leaders, auditors and advisers, while developing a high-performing and inclusive team.

What’s in it for you?

Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.

Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:

• 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation
• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
• Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
• Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
• Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
• Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal
• Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave
• 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
• One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you

Everyone’s welcome

We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.

If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.

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