ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an innovative finance leader, ready to play a key role in shaping the financial future of the John Lewis Partnership. We're looking for a Group Financial Controller who can not only ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and compliance of our financial operations, but also manage their continuous evolution and improvement. In this senior leadership position, you'll lead a substantial team of over 180 finance professionals, overseeing everything from external reporting and audit to defining Group accounting policies and managing our internal controls, tax compliance and financial operations.

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Salary - £130,500 - £195,700.

Contract type - This position is a permanent contract.

Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team aims for around 2 days a week in the office to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings. 

Location - This role can be based at either our Bracknell or Pimlico Head Office, with regular travel to the alternate location. 

Key responsibilities

Financial operations, consolidation, reporting and compliance

Ensuring efficient, effective  and compliant financial operations, consolidation and reporting across P2P, S2C, and R2R

Providing SME support, advice and assurance to Partnership change initiatives that will impact financial operations and reporting

Managing the accounting for Group costs and key Partnership judgements

Providing assurance for the accuracy and correct accounting treatment of the consolidated results

External Audit and Annual Report & Accounts

Ensuring that statutory reporting requirements are met including planning and executing the year end and half year end and production of the Annual Report & Accounts

Building a strong relationship with the Partnership external auditors and coordinating the Partnership’s interaction through the audit cycle, and preparing and presenting papers to the Audit & Risk Committee and Board

Accounting Policy, technical guidance and advice

Defining and maintaining Partnership accounting policies and associated implementation guidance

Keeping abreast of and interpreting the impact for the Partnership of new accounting standards and other accounting regulation

Providing technical accounting guidance and advice as required on specific situations, business and change initiatives, consulting as required with external advisors and our external auditors

Group Financial Control

Continually evolving and strengthening the framework for financial control

Working with stakeholders across the Partnership to ensure controls are effectively communicated, understood and implemented in the business

Conducting periodic self assessment reviews and cyclical control testing to ensure compliance with the Internal Controls Framework.  Reporting on the results of this work to the Audit & Risk Committee including progress on control failure remediation

Maintaining oversight of internal control matters raised by Internal & External Audit, and ensuring their timely resolution

Group Taxation

Strategic tax planning. Advising the business on tax efficient ways of structuring transactions

Reducing tax risk in line with Partnership risk appetite, keeping the Partnership’s tax policy up to date and achieving compliance

Managing corporation tax, PAYE and VAT compliance and maintaining good relationships with HM Revenue and Customs, tax authorities in other areas and external tax advisers.

Calculation of the tax charge for half year and year end statutory reporting; negotiation of contentious issues with auditors. Calculation of quarterly corporation tax instalments based on profit forecasts. Calculation of tax forecasts for business plans.

People and team

Leading, motivating and developing a large team

Building excellent relationships and credibility with senior Financial and Executive stakeholders across the Partnership

Taking an active leadership role as part of the Group Finance & Strategy leadership team, and wider extended FLT

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

Finance qualification, ACA or equivalent with substantial PQE and expertise in UK GAAP and IFRS

Substantial experience of working in a senior financial operations, financial reporting and control and/or tax role

Capable of influencing and working with senior stakeholders, up to Exec level, external parties and NEDs

Experience leading, motivating and developing a large team

Desirable skills/experience you may have

Experience in retail or consumer facing business helpful

Experience in both operating businesses and group centre helpful

 

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Closing Date:

August 12, 2025

Pay:

£130,500.00 - £195,700.00 Annual

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours of Work:

35

Job Level:

Partnership Level 4

Where You'll Be Working:

London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, , SW1V 2QQ

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.