Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Outcomes First Group; Bolton; On-site; GBP 67,500 - 82,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Job summary

A leading education organization in Bolton is seeking an experienced FP&A Manager to deliver high-quality forecasting, analysis, and reporting that drives business performance. This role is integral in providing actionable insight to senior leaders. The ideal candidate is a fully qualified accountant with over five years of FP&A experience and advanced modelling capabilities. A comprehensive rewards package is offered, emphasizing health and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven FP&A / Commercial Finance experience.
• Advanced modelling and budgeting capabilities.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all financial management reporting and analysis.
• Manage P&L and KPI reporting for divisions.
• Provide timely monthly reports and improve financial awareness.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Strategic planning

Problem-solving

Data analytics

Education

Fully qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Overview

This range is provided by Outcomes First Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Job Title: FP&A Manager

Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)

Contract: Full time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri 9-5

Base pay range: Direct message the job poster from Outcomes First Group

About Us

At Outcomes First Group, we believe every child can thrive when given the right environment for success. As one of the world’s leading providers in our sector, we deliver exceptional, research-led education tailored to each pupil, with smaller class sizes and personalised learning plans. Our vision is to empower every child with a world-class education that nurtures potential and inspires lifelong learning, our mission is to unlock that potential through personalised learning and opportunity, and our promise is simple: we listen, we work together, and we are accountable to one another to make the remarkable happen.

Job Purpose

Deliver high-quality forecasting, analysis and reporting that drives business performance. Act as a trusted FP&A manager, financial modeller and business partner to senior leaders, providing clear, actionable insight that supports divisional and Group decision-making.

Key Stakeholders

Group Finance; Finance Director; Business Intelligence; Operational Directors; Managing Directors; UK CEO.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Performance and Analysis

• Lead all financial management reporting and analysis, ensuring timely, accurate results to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support senior leadership with insights and recommendations aligned to strategic and operational objectives.
• Manage P&L and KPI reporting for relevant divisions, highlighting trends, risks and opportunities.
• Build and maintain robust financial models to support strategic initiatives and business cases.
• Analyse financial performance, conducting variance analysis vs budget/forecast with clear commentary and insight.
• Proactively deliver high-impact ad-hoc analysis that supports decision making and informs operational improvements.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Coordinate and lead the UK annual budgeting cycle with the FP&A and operational teams, aligning to divisional goals and Group timelines.
• Drive the quarterly reforecasting process in partnership with Finance and BI to enhance automation, accuracy and efficiency.
• Maintain and continuously improve the planning model and underlying KPI assumptions to ensure data integrity and consistency.
• Monitor financial performance and recommend corrective actions, holding stakeholders accountable for budget/forecast deviations.

Systems and Automation

• Manage the implementation and enhancement of system-driven solutions for reporting, budgeting and modelling in partnership with the Head of FP&A and BI.
• Continuously improve processes and analysis, standardise reporting packs and automate repeatable tasks.
• Coordinate the distribution of dashboards and results through systems and automation.
• Champion the use of data and analytics to improve forecasting accuracy and financial insight.

Business Partnering / Customer Service

• Build strong working relationships with senior leaders and operational teams; act as the first point of contact for finance queries within remit.
• Provide timely monthly reports/scorecards (with BI support) and improve financial awareness through guidance and training where needed.
• Model a positive, professional and collaborative approach within Finance.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (CIMA / ACCA / ACA or equivalent).
• 5+ years of proven FP&A / Commercial Finance experience.
• Advanced modelling, budgeting and forecasting capabilities (Excel and/or BI tools).
• Excellent strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to present complex information clearly to senior stakeholders in an impactful and visual manner.
• Advanced PowerPoint skills for executive and board-level presentations.
• Strong background in management accounting and financial planning.

Desirable

• Exposure to tools such as Planning Analytics, Power BI, Tableau or Cognos.
• Experience in a PE-backed environment.
• Experience in leading a team and mentoring or informally coaching team members.

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high quality special needs education and care. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland and Wales with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes for the people we educate and care for.

We are proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running. Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.

Our Vision & Mission

Vision: Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Mission: We commit to unlocking our pupils’ potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations. We never assume. We work together. To make the remarkable happen. We are accountable. To each other and for one another.

Rewards & Benefits

Health and wellbeing are important, with a rewards package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• Wellbeing support services and health checks
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package with enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista

• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Discounts UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

Compliance

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and a fully enhanced DBS. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. All stages of the compliance process are subject to safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Finance
• Industries: Education