Commercial Finance Manager - International Markets

About the role

The Advocate Group is recruiting, on behalf of a globally renowned premium drinks business, a Commercial Finance Manager for a 12-month fixed-term contract, working from London on a hybrid basis. The role covers commercial finance business partnering across Middle Eastern and surrounding markets, including the UAE, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey, alongside colleagues in Dubai.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with commercial teams across international markets, giving them financial insight for strategic and operational decisions
• Support financial planning, forecasting, budgeting and reporting so commercial performance is monitored and communicated
• Evaluate commercial investments, marketing initiatives and promotions for financial viability and alignment with the brand
• Work with distributors and regional stakeholders to understand market performance and support profitable growth
• Challenge senior stakeholders and recommend actions on investment, profitability and market development
• Collaborate with the Dubai office, international finance teams and global brand functions
• Support and develop a Finance Analyst, and improve financial processes and commercial visibility across the region

Required profile

• Previous experience as a Commercial Finance Manager, Finance Business Partner or in a comparable commercially focused finance role
• Strong background in FMCG, consumer goods, drinks or another fast-moving branded environment
• Experience partnering with commercial teams and turning financial information into business recommendations
• Ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across functions and geographies
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders
• Proactive, solutions-focused approach in a fast-paced international environment
• Previous Middle Eastern market experience is not essential; exposure to international markets, distributor-led models or regional commercial finance is advantageous

Required skills

• Financial planning, forecasting, budgeting and commercial analysis
• Evaluation of commercial investments and return on investment