To help the senior members of the HCCB & Farshore commercial finance team deliver a gold standard service to the publishing department. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, assisting with preparation of annual budget, month end analysis and reporting, monthly forecasting, profitability reviews, licensor reporting, and other ad hoc reporting (internal and external).  You will work closely with the Senior Commercial Analyst, Commercial Manager and Commercial Director, and are expected to support the Publishing teams (e.g. sales, editorial, marketing and PR, production and design). 

This role requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. The Junior Commercial Analyst should be able to prepare reporting that requires minimal review, and should be focused on ensuring systems and data reconcile where appropriate. They should develop a sound understanding of the publishing P&L.

Responsibilities include: 

Forecasting and Budgeting: 

Ensure timely and accurate delivery and reporting to stakeholders across the business: 

• Ensure the publishing schedule of titles is accurately reflected in budgeting and forecasting 

• Liaise with publishing teams to collect data needed for budgeting and forecasting in a timely fashion 

• Collate and upload this data into the Hyperion Planning system and ensure outputs reconcile to expectation. Inform Senior Commercial Analyst of any issues with uploading or any unforeseen time pressures 

• Prepare summary schedules for Senior Commercial Analyst review, where appropriate 

• Assist with preparation of schedules for budget pack or commercial review  

 Acquisitions: 

• Accurately maintain schedule showing pipeline of acquisitions, including all financial detail to enable future analysis of performance against initial expectation 

• Assist in the preparation of investment cases for acquisition 

 Month end accounting and reporting: 

• Complete a variety of month end tasks that will grow with experience, including, but not limited to, preparation of provision for retrospective discounts granted to retailers, reviewing exception errors from the royalty system, and preparation of plant accruals. These should be completed with a high degree of accuracy, requiring minimal review from the senior commercial analyst 

• Ensure timely preparation of reports for review before monthly divisional executive meetings, including month end commercial reports and post publication reviews (birthday reports) 

• Provide explanations of performance against expectation in key P&L areas 

  Licensor royalty reporting:

• Quarterly review of royalties earned by licensors, and input into bespoke licensor templates for external reporting 

• Track the earned / unearned position of minimum guarantees paid out to licensors 

• Prepare ad hoc analysis re licensors required by senior leadership team 

  Other activities, including value-add: 

Tasks including, but not limited to: 

• Alongside the senior commercial analyst, providing ad hoc financial analysis to enable commercial decision making in the division 

• Sales reporting for key brand and author presentations with external parties 

  Benefits

  •  Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)

  • 28 days holiday plus bank holidays

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books

  • Subsidised canteen and retail discounts

  • Onsite prayer room 

  If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to stephanie.jemmett@harpercollins.co.uk 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.