Senior Commercial Analyst

HarperCollins Publishers UK

. Work alongside the Commercial Director for Harper Non Fiction and Harper North to deliver commercial finance services.

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeLondon • United KingdomSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in budgeting and forecasting processes, financial reporting, and analysis, with a strong ability to present financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Proven experience in business partnering and providing financial guidance within the publishing industry.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Budgeting And ForecastingFinancial ReportingBusiness PartneringAdvanced Excel SkillsACCA/CIMA Qualification

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

BudgetingForecastingFinancial AnalysisProfitability ReviewsCost AnalysisROI AnalysisData ModellingMonth-End ReportingAcquisition Investment CasesOverhead Analysis

Soft Skills

Detail-OrientedSelf-StarterOrganizational SkillsProblem SolvingTeam Collaboration

Tools & Technologies

JDE

Certifications & Qualifications

ACCACIMAACA

Industry Keywords

PublishingCommercial FinanceDirect-to-ConsumerFinancial GuidanceAcquisition Pipeline

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Work alongside the Commercial Director for Harper Non Fiction and Harper North to deliver commercial finance services.
Assist publishers with acquisition investment cases, profitability reviews, annual budgets, month-end analysis and reporting, monthly forecasting, long-term planning, and ad hoc reporting.
Support Publishing teams and assist with financial reporting and analysis for the Direct-to-Consumer business.
Manage budgeting and forecasting processes for both divisions, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
Improve forecasting and budgeting processes and coordinate finance teams and external data providers.
Track data provision and work with the junior commercial analyst on accurate and timely uploads and modelling.
Prepare and reconcile summary schedules, budget-pack schedules, and commercial-review materials.
Prepare acquisition investment cases, maintain the acquisition pipeline schedule, and prepare profitability reviews for author recontracts.
Complete month-end tasks, including provisions, royalty-system exception reviews, overhead analysis, and accrual preparation.
Liaise with the group management accountant and participate in monthly review meetings to analyse budget and forecast variances.
Prepare reports for monthly divisional executive meetings, including month-end commercial reports and post-publication profitability reviews.
Create value-adding financial reporting for Direct-to-Consumer stakeholders.
Review and approve purchase orders via JDE within the applicable materiality level.
Perform long-term profitability, cost, and ROI analysis across production, marketing, plant, and royalties.
Attend print and excess-stock meetings to provide financial guidance.
Deliver finance guidance and training to new starters.
Deputise for the Commercial Director when required.
Support and coach the junior commercial analyst.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Ideally in the process of qualification (ACCA/CIMA) 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.
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.
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.
Positive attitude to new challenges.
Enjoys working as part of a team.