Totum Partners are delighted to be working exclusively with a leading UK law firm to recruit a newly created Head of Commercial Finance position.

This exciting opportunity places you at the heart of the finance team and the broader Business Services function. Partnering with the Finance Director and other senior stakeholders, this role is pivotal in executing the firm’s financial strategy and enhancing the commercial finance offerings to support the firm’s ambitious growth plans.
As a key member of the finance leadership team, you will make a full and positive contribution by implementing the firm’s financial strategy. You will serve as a positive role model, fostering a "one team," client-centric approach both internally and externally, with a continual improvement mindset aimed at delivering outstanding service. You will promote a culture of mentoring, coaching, and development to equip the team with the necessary skills and approach to meet the needs of the firm and stakeholders. In addition, you will assist in recruiting and developing the future finance team and support and deputise for the Finance Director as needed. In the area of commercial finance and business partnering, you will develop and manage commercial finance support for practice groups, providing analysis and insights to drive financial performance. You will also oversee pricing analysis and proposals, assist with client reviews and pitches, and manage client-specific and ad-hoc financial reporting. Collaborating with the Finance Director and senior stakeholders, you will help develop the annual rate review and setting process, and work with the IP Systems team to enhance management information and performance analysis using dashboards and BI tools. In terms of financial planning and forecasting, you will manage the annual budget process, ensuring timely delivery with relevant stakeholders, and develop and manage the rolling three-year financial plan to support the firm’s strategic implementation across practice groups.
The ideal candidate will hold an accounting qualification from ACCA, CIMA, or ICAEW and have experience in a similarly scaled and complex role, preferably within a professional services partnership. They should have a background in commercial finance business partnering, with exposure to management and financial reporting, and a proven ability to lead, engage, and develop a diverse finance team. A successful track record in building strong relationships with key stakeholders and experience in change management, system development, and process efficiency enhancement is essential. The candidate should exhibit high levels of drive and motivation with a positive, can-do attitude, possess good attention to detail while being able to see the bigger picture, and have a clear understanding of the profit drivers for a professional services firm. A support/customer-focused mindset, an influential and consultative approach, and the ability to build consensus and trust at all levels are crucial. Effective leadership and management skills, political astuteness to navigate and influence within a partnership culture, and the ability to challenge constructively while listening to colleagues, partners, and clients are also necessary.