Head of Finance – Controllership

MS Companies

High-impact finance leadership role at M&S managing controllership activities across multiple business units and driving finance transformation. Leading a large team and partnering with senior stakeholders for financial integrity.

Posted 6/15/2026full-timeSalford • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Leading all controllership activity across multiple business units including Food, Fashion, Home & Beauty, International, Property, Retail, and Digital & Technology
Building, developing and inspiring a high-performing team of c.50 colleagues (with 4–5 direct reports), championing a strong performance culture
Acting as a trusted senior partner to Finance Directors, the Group Financial Controller and wider Finance leadership
Ensuring robust financial control, integrity of Business Unit financial statements, and leading internal and external audit relationships
Driving standardisation, automation and continuous improvement, including supporting SAP S/4HANA implementation and finance transformation

Requirements

What you’ll need

Senior financial control experience in a FTSE 250 environment, ideally within retail or FMCG
A proven track record of leading high-performing teams and driving performance, engagement and culture
Strong experience working with Shared Service Centres / Centres of Excellence, with exposure to large-scale finance operations
Demonstrated success in delivering automation, standardisation and process improvement initiatives
Professionally qualified (ACA or equivalent) with the credibility to influence and partner senior stakeholders

Benefits

Comp & perks

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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

financial controlperformance managementaudit managementautomationstandardisationprocess improvementSAP S/4HANAfinance transformationshared service operationslarge-scale finance operations

Soft Skills

team leadershipperformance culturestakeholder engagementinfluencingcollaborationcommunicationinspirationtrust buildingdriving engagementchampioning culture

Certifications

ACAequivalent professional qualification