Job Description

Purpose of the Role
To work alongside the Commercial Manager for HCCB and Farshore to deliver a gold standard commercial finance service to the publishing department. This will include, but is not limited to, assisting publishers with investment cases for acquisitions, profitability reviews, annual budget, month end analysis and reporting, monthly forecasting, long term planning and ad hoc reporting (internal and external). You will work closely with the Commercial Manager and Commercial Director, and will be expected to support the Publishing teams.
This role requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. The Senior Commercial Analyst should be able to prepare high quality reporting and reconciliations, requiring minimal review. They should also have a sound understanding of the impact of commercial decisions on the P&L, and be able to think through the future impact of these decisions.
Responsibilities
Forecasting and Budgeting:
Alongside the Commercial Manager, manage the budgeting and forecasting process for both divisions to ensure timely and accurate delivery and reporting to stakeholders across the business. This will include:
Continuously working with the Commercial Manager to identify ways in which the forecasting and budgeting processes can be rendered more efficient
Helping to plan the budget and forecast process and organising the finance team and external data providers from the publishing teams to ensure reasonable and achievable deadlines
Track timely provision of data from the publishing teams and work with junior commercial analyst to ensure accurate and timely uploads, modelling a culture of self-assessment and review
Ensure all summary schedules are prepared and reconcile for Commercial Manager review
Applying the principle of adding value in budget/forecast (and other) reporting and striving to incorporate rich detail, illuminating insight and surprising content
Assist with preparation of schedules for budget pack or commercial review
Acquisitions:
Work closely with the commercial manager in operating an effective Book acquisition process, including supporting commissioning editors where necessary, review and potential adjustment of acquisition P&Ls, analysis of past performance of similar titles, and investigation into current trends
Financial Reporting:
Ensure month end tasks including calculation of retro provisions, plant accruals and marketing accruals are completed in sufficient time for detailed review prior to group submission
Alongside the commercial manager, be a key liaison point for group management accountant to identify significant variances to budget and/or forecast and analyse the reasons for these variances. Consider the impact for forecasting and future planning
Ensure timely preparation of reports for review before monthly divisional executive meetings, including month end commercial reports and post publication reviews (birthday/anniversary reports)
May be required to cover junior commercial analyst's month end tasks where necessary
Preparation of month end excess stock report and liaison with inventory team
Further development can include taking on tasks requiring higher levels of commercial experience, e.g. preparing first draft of exec report for divisional Managing Director, managing divisional overheads (exc salaries), etc.
Experience Required
Essential:
Ideally in the process of qualification or already qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA
Experience of budgeting and forecasting.
Proven business partnering experience.
Proven experience of presenting financial information to non-finance staff.
Experience of working as a finance professional giving guidance and advice to non-financial staff.
Desirable:
Experience in a business that has a similar supply chain model to book publishing is an advantage but not essential.
Skills Required
Essential:
Highly numerate and detail oriented.
Self-starter who can generate ideas and take the initiative in making improvements and developing strategy.
Excellent administrator, takes pride in being organised.
Advanced excel skills
Comfortable with thinking through commercial decisions and presenting solutions to Commercial Director.
Desirable:
Highly systems focused - understands business process and systems.
Experience in Hyperion Planning, Business Objects or similar reporting tools.
Disposition
Demonstrable love of and interest in books and publishing.
Ability to work under pressure and adapt to shifting deadlines.
Positive approach to problem solving.
Strong sense of accountability.
Benefits
Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)
28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)
Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
Private healthcare cover and life assurance
Summer Hours
Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme
Relocation Rent Support Loan
Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work
Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes
Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers
Gym membership discount
Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
We're a certified Carbon Neutral company
Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)
With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire
Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books
Subsidised canteen and retail discounts
Onsite prayer room
At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities. This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks.
If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to with subject heading 'Vacancy Query' plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.
Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.

Skills Required