Head of FP&A – Corporate Planning & Analysis

Role Overview

• Own and manage the annual budgeting and multi-year planning cycle, coordinating inputs across all business units and central functions to produce a consolidated, Board-ready financial plan
• Lead the monthly and quarterly forecast process, ensuring timely, accurate and insightful reforecasts that reflect the latest trading conditions and strategic priorities
• Challenge and interrogate business unit submissions, bringing rigour and consistency to assumptions, phasing and presentation
• Develop and maintain financial models that support scenario planning, sensitivity analysis and longer-range strategic modelling
• Continuously improve planning processes, timelines and tools, with a focus on efficiency and accuracy with a particular focus on driving forward the use of the new Oracle planning module to fully utilise its capabilities
• Lead the production of key monthly Group info on P&L and cash flow reporting versus plan, prior year and external benchmarks
• Provide deep-dive analysis on variances, identifying root causes and translating financial data into clear, actionable narrative for senior stakeholders including the Exec team
• Assist with the development and maintenance of KPI dashboards and scorecards that track financial and operational performance across the Group
• Benchmark Group and divisional performance against relevant external measures, sector peers and market indicators, providing context and competitive intelligence
• Ensure reporting is accurate, consistent and aligned with the Group’s accounting policies and governance standards
• Build strong, credible relationships with divisional finance teams, operational leaders and Group functions, acting as a trusted advisor on performance and planning matters
• Present financial analysis and insight clearly to senior leadership, adapting communication style to audience and context
• Support the Group FP&A Director in preparing Board and investor materials, including Board packs
• Collaborate closely with the Group Accounting, Tax, Treasury and Strategy teams to ensure joined-up financial planning and reporting
• Lead, develop and inspire a team of around nine, including two direct reports, fostering a high-performance culture built on accountability, development and collaboration
• Set clear objectives and manage performance, supporting the professional growth of team members and building a strong pipeline of future talent
• Create an environment of continuous improvement, encouraging the team to challenge existing processes and adopt better ways of working
• Champion the ongoing development of FP&A systems, tools and data infrastructure, working with IT, finance transformation and systems teams to enhance capability
• Drive automation and standardisation of reporting and planning processes to improve speed, accuracy and scalability as the business grows
• Maintain and develop robust financial controls and governance frameworks within the FP&A function

Requirements

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualified experience in a complex, multi-site or multi-divisional environment
• Proven experience in a senior FP&A role, with ownership of planning, forecasting and management reporting cycles
• Strong people leadership skills, with experience managing and developing multi-person finance teams
• Exceptional financial modelling, analytical and problem-solving skills, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
• Commercially astute, with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight for non-finance audiences
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with planning/reporting tools – ideally Oracle EPBCS but certainly a sector leading system (e.g. Anaplan, Cognos, SAP BPC, Power BI or similar)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership
• Ability to work at pace in a fast-changing environment, managing multiple priorities and deadlines without compromising quality

Tech Stack

• Cognos
• Oracle

Benefits

• Work-life balance
• 26 days annual leave
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• Pension
• Discretionary Bonus
• Discounted staff pet care
• Dog Friendly office
• Free Parking available at Head Office