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Lead Commercial Business Partner

NEWLY created Lead Commercial Business Partner role now available at Bristol based law firm.

The firm have ambitious growth plans and whilst the Commercial Finance team is already five people strong, the team is aiming to double in size and this Lead role will be the most senior of the five roles going out to market.

This is a super exciting time for the firm and the Lead Commercial Business Partner will play a key role in the Commercial Finance team and will be the right-hand person to the Head of Commercial Finance.

This person will be practice group aligned and will have a team of 3 experienced Commercial Business Partners reporting into them.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

  • To support the Head of Commercial Business Partnering in coaching and developing a team of Commercial Business Partners, to ensure they are performing at the highest level as commercial trusted advisors, employee champions and change agents; meeting the firm's needs in a rapidly changing and demanding environment.
  • To act as a key contributor within the Finance senior management team, leading and contributing expertise to key projects and providing direction on strategy and operational plans to colleagues
  • To act as an effective deputy when the Head of Commercial Business Partnering is unavailable.
  • To develop strong business relationships and to be recognised as a trusted commercial advisor to Group and Team Leaders.
  • Responsible for sharing expertise and acting as a coach and / or mentor to support the development of Finance colleagues
  • Plays a lead part in assigned fee-earning group's management meetings
  • To play a key role in onboarding partner lateral hires into the Firm
  • To develop the relationship with the FP&A, Business Development, Legal Technology and Legal Project Management teams, to leverage combined commercial support.
  • To deliver insight, analysis and recommendations to Group and Team Leaders in relation to current performance. To ensure monthly and quarterly reviews are delivered on a timely and consistent basis.
  • To directly support partners in modelling strategic and tactical pricing proposals, supporting the Firm's profitability. To drive consistency of approach and promotion of best practice in pricing for panel pitches and individual matters.
  • To oversee consistent delivery of targets relating to all elements of the working capital cycle. To provide timely updates to Team and Group Leads on key areas of time recording, WIP creation and conversion. To ensure corrective action is taken.
  • Takes a lead on the exploration and promotion of Alternative Fee Arrangements (AFAs) and how these are woven into pricing proposals, including adopting novel solutions to meet client needs while delivering improved profitability for the firm.
  • Attend client meetings to discuss Pricing and Value Add proposals
  • Oversees budgeting process for all aligned Groups



Experience needed:

  • An experienced Lead or Senior Commercial Business Partner with a track record of operating at a senior level within a Finance team. A Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACA, ACCA) with 7 years PQE, or equivalent
  • Experience of leading and managing a high performing team of Finance professionals.
  • Significant experience of driving improved business insight across a sizeable commercial organisation
  • Demonstrate experience of driving profitability improvement by influencing senior stakeholder's business decisions and working cross functionally
  • Experience of presenting at board level meetings
  • Proven ability to influence, coach and challenge senior leaders.

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