Cost Analytics Manager | S4 | Procurement & Cost Management | Unity Place - Milton Keynes | Internal MobilityCountry: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander () is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk and performance culture and all our professionals, at all levels, are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach to financial stewardship and cost management.

The Procurement & Cost Management function plays a critical role in ensuring that our spend, investments and cost base align with our strategic goals, deliver sustainable value, and support operational excellence. It focuses on partnering the business, optimising cost, and shaping commercial decisions to drive long-term profitability and resilience.

By working closely with internal stakeholders, Procurement & Cost Management bridges strategic objectives and financial outcomes, ensuring that decisions on cost, investment and change directly contribute to business performance, innovation and sustainability.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Santander UK is looking for a Senior Manager, Cost Analytics, based at Unity Place, to lead a defined portfolio of enterprise cost intelligence and help senior leaders understand, challenge and optimise the cost base.

You will translate enterprise cost intelligence priorities into a rolling 12 month analytical plan combining financial, operational, workforce, supplier and activity evidence to identify structural opportunities, support annual planning and provide clear recommendations for decision-makers.

You will lead the analytics team for a defined area, coordinate cross-functional contributors and build a structured pipeline of optimisation reviews. You will ensure that recommendations are practical, controlled and connected to accountable owners, milestones, dependencies, outcomes and benefit evidence.

You will also strengthen the quality and consistency of cost intelligence by improving analytical methods, data quality, controls, tooling, automation and reusable standards. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

Owning and developing an enterprise view of the underlying cost base, distinguishing structural change from timing effects, accounting movements and one-off items.
Building cost-driver, income, productivity and unit-cost analysis that connects expenditure to volumes, capacity, service levels, operating activity and business outcomes.
Leading Group, internal and relevant external benchmarking, applying robust normalisation and comparability tests, and translating performance gaps into prioritised hypotheses and targeted recommendations.

Developing transparent strategic scenarios and decision support, while improving cost taxonomies, data quality, analytical methods, model governance, reporting and automation across the cost intelligence capability.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable adjustments may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience

Experience of third party analytics and cost driver analysis

Strong experience in cost management, commercial finance, FP&A, analytics, transformation or a comparable discipline within a large or complex organisation.

A strong understanding of cost structures, income and cost relationships, productivity, unit economics, cost-driver analysis, scenario modelling and benchmarking.

A track record of converting complex financial and operational evidence into practical, implementable recommendations and measurable outcomes.

Credibility with senior stakeholders, with the confidence to challenge assumptions, explain trade-offs and communicate conclusions clearly.

Languages

English (Required)
Spanish (desired)

Hard Skills

Ability to apply internal, Group and external benchmarks using robust normalisation and comparability tests, and to explain material contextual differences. (Required)
Ability to develop planning and decision scenarios with transparent assumptions, ranges, dependencies, risks and trade-offs. (Required)
Strong control discipline across data, models, taxonomies, documentation, quality assurance, data lineage and reproducibility. (Required)
Knowledge of modern data, business-intelligence, automation and visualisation capabilities and their use in decision processes.

Soft Skills

A trusted, curious and commercially minded leader who talks straight, speaks up when the evidence requires challenge and aligns colleagues around clear decisions and action.
A collaborative and improvement-focused approach, with the ability to mobilise contributors across functions while maintaining pace, rigour and accountability.

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.

Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.
Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).

We welcome applications on the understanding that, should you be offered this role, there may be no relocation package available. Santander will pay the employer mandatory government fees that are required to pay in connection with visa sponsorship. You may be liable for your own personal employee immigration and relocation costs.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

For further Guidance please visit Internal Mobility - Candidate Guidance.

If you want to know more about the opportunity:

Please contact [email protected]

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