Commercial Finance Manager

Job Introduction

Sodexo are currently recruiting for an experienced Commercial Finance Manager to work in our Defence segment. You will provide direction; management, and leadership in all commercial and financial areas including but not limited to; business analysis and decision support, reporting, accounting, financial planning, controls and risk management and mitigation. You will direct the activities of a variety of accounting support functions within the broader business on behalf of the following contracts; Navy and South.

The ideal candidate will be qualified; however we will also consider part qual and QBE; you will have demonstrable business partnering and commercial experience. This is an exciting opportunity to join Sodexo and progress your career with a global facilities management company. The role offers a competitive salary; company car, bonus and excellent benefits. The role will predominantly be based from offices in Yeovil with travel across the South West.

Role Responsibility

• Support the Finance Director and Contract Director and their senior teams in decision making with the emphasis on controls, mitigating risks and maximising cash backed profitability. Current levels of turnover are budgeted at £27 million per annum
• Work with the Contract Director and Finance Director to develop and manage a robust budgeting and forecasting process across the Defence business, identifying issues and opportunities and ensuring that the Contract Director and the account management teams have plans in place to address them
• Assist the Contract Director and Finance Director to manage the annual budget process for the division and support the operational teams with relevant training
• The financial stewardship of the contracts overall, ensuring integrity and robustness of accounts accuracy of budgets and forecasts and overall financial stability
• Appraisal of risk within financial performance and management of mitigation strategies. Ownership of the integrity of financial controls and the mechanisms by which they are controlled.
• Act as ‘early warning system’ to financial challenges in the contract, ensuring communication across the senior team is maintained
• Maintenance of articulate and accurate communication channels to client teams on all financial matters in the contract. Represent and champion Sodexo’s interests proactively managing the contract through working with the client MOD. This includes clarifying what the contract means as to both scope of work and definitions and progressing contract amendments
• Provide commercial and financial modelling support to assist commercial bid teams and/or clients

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Qualified, Part Qual or QBE (CIMA, ACCA, ACA)
• Demonstrable business partnering and commercial finance experience
• Previous experience of a similar work environment/organisation
• Able to deal confidently at all levels in the organisation
• Improve contracts performance with performance measurement tools and reports
• Driving licence

Desirable

• Ability to develop and implement new processes and procedures
• Creative approach to problem resolution producing a pragmatic solution

 Other Information

·Ability to travel to sites in the South of England

About the Company

Sodexo UK & Ireland employs around 36,000 people and delivers On-site Service Solutions to clients at over 2,300 locations including offices, hospitals, schools, defence sites, prisons, sporting events and visitor attractions. 

With an annual turnover of over £1bn, Sodexo delivers a diverse range of services from catering, cleaning, reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling clients to focus on their core business.

Please note MOD clearance will be required