Director Financial Planning and Analysis

British Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Director of Financial Planning and Analysis to lead their financial strategy in a globally respected organization. This pivotal role involves overseeing financial planning activities, championing data-driven insights, and driving transformation initiatives. With a focus on strategic leadership, you will guide a large, multi-disciplinary team to enhance financial stewardship and operational agility. Join this innovative firm and play a vital role in shaping the financial future of a globally recognized organization that values collaboration and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in global financial planning & analysis.
• Proven success in leading large teams and driving organizational change.
• Expertise in financial controls and governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead the financial planning and reporting agenda.
• Lead development of robust financial models and budgets.
• Deliver actionable insights that challenge assumptions.

Skills

Financial Planning

Data Analysis

Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Governance Frameworks

Education

CCAB-qualified Accountant

Degree Qualified

Tools

SAP Accounting Tools

Job description

Director Financial Planning and Analysis

Join to apply for the Director Financial Planning and Analysis role at British Council

Director Financial Planning and Analysis

Join to apply for the Director Financial Planning and Analysis role at British Council

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in the more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Join us at the British Council and play a key role in shaping our financial future!

Location: London, United Kingdom

Organization: British Council

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary Package: £95-110k/ yearly

Shape Strategy. Drive Insight. Lead with Impact.

This is a senior and high profile role that will influence financial strategy at the highest levels of a globally respected organization. The British Council is seeking a commercially minded Director Financial Planning & Analysis to lead our financial planning and analysis (FP&A) function and drive performance in a complex, fast-evolving global environment.

This is an opportunity to shape FP&A in a global organisation that generates income of £800m a year. .

• About the Role
  
  

As Director Financial Planning & Analysis, you’ll provide strategic leadership for all financial planning activities across the British Council, helping steer long-term decisions with clarity and confidence. You’ll oversee the development of integrated planning tools, champion data-driven insights, and drive transformation initiatives that enhance agility, efficiency, and financial stewardship across our global operations.

You’ll play a central role in connecting financial performance to strategic outcomes — enabling smarter, faster, and more forward-looking decision-making at every level of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership – Shape and lead the financial planning and reporting agenda, ensuring it aligns with our long-term vision in a dynamic, global context.
• Integrated Planning – Lead the development of robust financial models, 5-year plans, budgets, and forecasting — embedding scenario planning, risk analysis, and stress testing.
• Transformation Delivery – Champion the rollout of a new FP&A tool, embedding driver-based analytics and automation in partnership with the transformation team.
• World-Class FP&A Service – Suport the design of and operationalize a future-focused Target Operating Model and best-in-class methodologies for planning, analysis, and reporting.
• Insight-Driven Impact – Deliver actionable insights that challenge assumptions, unlock efficiencies, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.
• Leadership & Culture – Lead and inspire a large, multi-disciplinary team, cultivating a high-performance culture grounded in collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Governance & Control – Ensure rigorous financial governance and control, balancing transparency with strategic agility.
• Stakeholder Influence – Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders globally to shape decisions and drive alignment.
• Business Transformation – Align financial planning with evolving business models, digital transformation, and the strategic priorities of the British Council.
  
  

What You’ll Bring

• Significant experience in global financial planning & analysis, ideally in complex, international organizations.
• A strong commercial and strategic mindset, with the ability to balance long-term vision and short-term priorities.
• Proven success in leading large teams and driving organizational change.
• Expertise in financial controls, governance frameworks, and stakeholder engagement at the highest levels.
• Outstanding analytical, planning, and leadership skills — with a passion for driving data-informed decisions.
  
  

Essential

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree qualified and CCAB-qualified accountant.
• Proven experience in a similar leadership role within a global or multi-cultural organization.
• Track record of success in strategic financial planning, change leadership, and performance insight.
• Experience of building or optimizing FP&A functions, tools, and teams.
  
  

Desirable

• Leadership experience in a Centre of Excellence.
• Familiarity with SAP accounting and planning tools.
• Knowledge of best practices in upper-quartile finance functions.
  
  

How to Apply

Please submit your CV to on our career site by May the 11th There will be at least 2 rounds of interviews and first round is planned to start the week commencing with May the 19th.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email [e-mail]

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Not Applicable

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

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