Finance Business Partner - Commercial Analysis, Reporting & Insights

Overview

The Finance Analysis - Newcastle role is part of the Commercial Analysis, Reporting & Insights (CARI) team. The team supports firm leadership with high-quality management information, commercial analysis, strategic insights and executive reporting to enable informed decision-making, profitable growth and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Analysis & Commercial Insight (45%)
• Lead the production of insightful financial and operational analysis across practices, sectors, clients and offices.
• Develop actionable recommendations that support profitable growth, improved productivity and enhanced financial performance.
• Identify commercial opportunities, emerging risks and performance trends through proactive analysis.
• Deliver deep-dive reviews related to Partner performance, client profitability / financial performance, matter economics, practice group and sector performance, and working capital management.
• Perform scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Own the delivery of various legal sector benchmarking submissions.
• Become a SME for the data, KPIs, systems and models used by Finance, including driving predictive analytics and AI-enabled capabilities within the CARI team.
• Work with the CARI team to schedule and conduct regular financial data audits and quality assurance to ensure trusted data underpinning commercial activities (e.g., cost rates, units, notional salaries, profitability calculations, revenue).

Executive Reporting & Presentations (20%)

Own the production of high-quality presentations for the Management Committee (MCom), Sector and Office Heads, Practice Group Leaders and Partner meetings.

Translate complex financial information into concise, compelling and visually engaging narratives.

Ensure reporting focuses on business outcomes, key messages and management actions rather than solely financial data.

Team Leadership (20%)

Lead, coach and develop a team of three Finance Analysts, providing structure and coaching to build a high-quality analytical capability.

Establish clear performance expectations and development plans.

Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and a proactive approach.

Review and validate team outputs for quality and consistency; champion automation and efficiency initiatives to reduce manual reporting and increase analytical capacity.

Promote a data-driven culture across the team.

Business Partnering and Stakeholder Management (15%)

Understand stakeholder priorities and identify opportunities where financial analysis can support decision-making.

Act as a trusted commercial advisor to stakeholders, interpreting performance and identifying practical actions.

Influence decisions through evidence-based recommendations and constructive challenge.

Collaborate with colleagues across Finance to provide joined-up insight and avoid siloed analysis.

Support financial planning activities, including budgets, forecasts and data for RemCo requirements, in conjunction with the CARI team.

Skills and Experience

• Essential
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience leading analytical finance teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and advanced financial modelling and data analysis skills with Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Emotional resilience with the ability to communicate finance perspectives clearly under pressure.
• Strong influencing and interpersonal skills to challenge senior stakeholders when necessary.
• Continuous improvement mindset to develop self, colleagues and processes.
• Attention to detail with ability to see the bigger picture.
• Dynamic and collaborative team player with a can-do attitude and straightforward approach.
• Gravitas to operate in a partnership environment and earn trust as a commercial advisor.
• Hard-working with a desire to grow professionally.

Advantageous

Experience in a services-based business, ideally professional services.

Experience using AI-enabled reporting and analytical tools.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our teams. If you require tailored adjustments or accommodations, please let us know.

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