JD Group is a leading global omnichannel retailer of sports fashion and outdoor brands. As well as consistently delivering growth and scale, JD is currently undergoing a period of change within the Finance function. We are looking for a Finance Business Partner to work within Commercial Finance, to help Centre of Excellence teams deliver exceptional performance efficiently

As the Finance Business Partner, you will work closely with your Exec Sponsor, being their direct contact for all things financial.  You will develop key relationships within their business function to support and challenge in key areas around financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, project governance and other ad hoc requests where required.

You will also be the financial contact within the business for all related costs, supporting other Finance Business Partner and Senior Leaders through analysis and KPI’s, to better understand the wider picture around headcount and costs.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

• Financial support to Exec Sponsor and direct reports, providing clear, concise insight and understanding for the Centre of Excellence across the UK and EU
• Leading and owning the annual budgeting process and forecasting cycles for the Centre of Excellence (UK & EU).
• Providing clear and concise, relevant and accurate reporting to the Exec Sponsor, Senior Leadership team and Senior Finance team in a timely manner
• Chairing regularly meetings with Exec Sponsor, senior leadership team and other cost centre owners to review spend and gain better understanding of expected costs, highlighting underlying issues as they arise and providing challenge where necessary.
• Support and preparation of Quarterly Business Reviews and Annual Budget decks, including attendance and presentation at review meetings.
• Lead and Co-ordinate Cost Centre reviews for UK & EU
• Development and production of relevant department reports and KPI’s to aid understanding and decision making.
• Ownership, Governance and appraisal for any projects within the CofE, including monthly tracking and reporting into Steering meetings and Investment/operating forums.

• Input and understanding of month end reporting, working closely with operational finance team, enabling better forecasting and support to CoE
• Support CoE leadership team with any other regular financial reporting requirements specific to the People CoE
• Continually look to identify efficiency opportunities and process improvements across the function.
• Forecasting, tracking and reporting for any capital spend.
• Implement controls in line with the Group’s Financial controls programme.
• Work with internal and external audit teams where required.
• Ad hoc Finance tasks and project work as required.
• Help to drive a culture of best practice across the Business Partnering team and wider Commercial Finance function.

Skills/Experience/Knowledge needed:

• 3years+ CIMA / ACCA / ACA Qualified Accountant
• Experience of Business partnering essential, including providing evidence of challenge and making suggestions that added value.
• Experience of Retail and Technology advantageous
• Evidence of providing data driven insights.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal required.
• High emotional intelligence
• Very strong analytical skills required to investigate, understand, and explain department performance.
• Ability to form strong working relationships at all levels.
• Ability to work under own initiative.
• Strong time management skills and ability to prioritise workloads to meet deadlines.
• Advanced Excel skills, Oracle, TM1 experience not essential but an advantage
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Positive, flexible, enthusiastic, and driven