Finance Manager - Digital & Technology, Run Costs

This is a broad role with an exciting remit as we embark on an ambitious full-scale transformation of Digital & Technology. We are looking to hire a Finance lead for Digital & Technology run cost optimisation, to drive significant, sustainable cost out through closing the gap to benchmark at IT tower level.

This is a fantastic opportunity to transform Digital & Technology cost management by creating cost transparency, ensuring understanding of what we spend in Digital & Technology and why. You will be supporting a shift in cost ownership through driver analysis and zero-based budgeting providing visibility on levers to optimise costs.

We are looking for a highly capable business partner, adept at building great relationships with the business, and comfortable working in a matrix stakeholder model; a strong influencer, with natural curiosity, who can provide commercial challenge through deep Technology Finance experience, and become a trusted business partner & critical friend; someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, able to juggle multiple demands but prioritise effectively.

Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever-evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, and service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special:

• After completing your probationary period, you’ll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
• Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
• A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
• A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
• Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
• Industry-leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
• Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
• A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.

Your key accountabilities will include:

• Finance lead for run cost optimisation owning the development of a cost optimisation roadmap and driving clear ownership using the RAPID decision-making framework.
• Finance business partner to the Chief Technology Operations Officer (CTOO), establishing a new governance framework for 3rd party supplier contracts and approval of run cost spend; to the Procurement team for Digital & Technology providing commercial challenge to optimise value from new contracts & renewals of existing contracts.
• Develop the business case and roadmap for run cost optimisation building on the benchmarking work completed to date. Develop insightful analysis and implement the right financial controls to monitor progress and assure value realisation.
• In partnership with the CTOO & team develop a new governance framework across run costs and 3rd party supplier contracts to drive accountability for cost optimisation. Deliver cost transparency within Digital & Technology, to the FDs & wider Finance plus each business area showing cost drivers, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and options to drive sustainable cost out.
• Implement zero-based budgeting across all areas of Digital & Technology. Drive continuous improvement through a relentless focus on cost optimisation & regular benchmarking at IT cost pool & tower level.

Your skills and experience will include:

• Qualified accountant with several years PQE in a commercial environment.
• Deep Technology Finance experience preferably Technology transformation, covering all IT cost pools and towers in run.
• Collaborative approach, with a natural style that builds credibility and a strong network across Digital & Technology and Finance.
• Commercial curiosity and a critical thinker with excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to influence and partner at senior and exec levels.

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.