Senior Finance Director - Payments

About Us: 

Planet is a leading technology company transforming payments by putting customer experience first. We offer integrated solutions that include payment processing, VAT refunds, dynamic currency conversion, and management services for merchants in the Retail and Hospitality sectors worldwide. 

In recent years, we have experienced significant growth, expanding our services and global presence. 

With strong private equity investors, Advent International and Eurazeo, we have the financial capital and expertise to grow our capabilities and reach through acquisitions. 

Our mission is to create a world of connected commerce where payments are simple, secure, and seamless, enabling our partners to deliver exceptional experiences to their customers. 

Role Overview: 

We are looking for a commercially focused Senior Finance Business Director, who will support the Commercial sales team. The role will manage a team of qualified accountants and will directly partner with two of the largest revenue generating channels in the Group. This role is responsible for balancing core finance responsibilities relating as well as helping the commercial teams in build and execute on commercial strategy, driving growth, client retention and optimizing their P&L. This role will also be critical and play an important part and contribution within the wider planning and finance data capabilities to drive performance management across the Group. 

What you will do : 

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Leading the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes for commercial teams. 

• Performance Monitoring & Analysis: Tracking financial performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), identifying key drivers of performance, and providing variance analysis to management. 

• Strategic Decision Support: Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and non-financial teams (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Operations) on commercial strategies, pricing, promotions, and investment decisions. 

• People Leadership: Directly leading a small team of finance business partners, providing support, development and coaching as well as playing a broader leadership across the finance business partner community to lift and embed best in class business partnering. 

• Business Case Development: Preparing and challenging business cases for new products, propositions, promotions, or capital expenditure to ensure financial soundness and alignment with strategic objectives. 

• Commercial governance & support: Supporting the commercial team in developing the optimal pricing proposals to ensure a high win ratio and at the maximum margin. The role should also act as a governance layer to ensure pricing rate cards and approval levels are adhered to.  

• Profitability Analysis: Evaluating customer, product, and channel profitability and developing plans to address performance goals and drive margin improvement. 

• Process Improvement: Driving continuous improvement and automation in financial processes, reporting, and systems to enhance efficiency and decision-making agility. 

• Stakeholder Management: Building strong, collaborative relationships across the business to influence outcomes without direct authority and ensure financial discipline is embedded throughout the organization.  

Skills and Qualifications 

• Education/Certification: A professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) and a third-level degree in Business or Commerce is often preferred. 

• Product experience: Experience in another Payments or Tax Free company a preferred requirement. 

• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical mindset and high proficiency in financial modelling and advanced Excel/database systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Power BI). 

• Commercial Acumen: A strong understanding of the broader business environment, market trends, and key value drivers to provide relevant and insightful advice. 

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills to convey complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders and influence decisions. 

• Problem-Solving: Proactive approach to identifying challenges and opportunities and offering practical, data-driven solutions. 

• Leadership & Adaptability: Ability to lead change initiatives, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.  

Why Planet 

Planet is an equal opportunity employer where diversity is valued, and all employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. 

Come and grow your career in the most exciting, fast paced technology market, with a business that delivers feel-good connected commerce. We would love to hear from you – Apply now.