Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

GARY CHAPLIN LTD; England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing consumer services group in Chester seeks a Senior FP&A Manager to lead financial modelling and contribute to strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong financial analysis skills, significant experience in budgeting and forecasting, and the ability to influence decision-making at all levels. This role involves preparing rolling forecasts, collaborating with operational leaders, and producing key management reports. The organization values a proactive, hands-on approach in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial analysis, modelling, and business partnering.
• Strong understanding of financial principles and management accounting.
• Proven experience in budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain financial models to support forecasting and planning.
• Act as a trusted advisor to operational leaders for financial insights.
• Lead preparation of budgets and rolling forecasts for business units.
• Produce management reports and monitor key performance indicators.

Skills

Financial modelling

Financial analysis

Business partnering

Budgeting and forecasting

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field

Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

BI tools

Job description

An entrepreneurial, high‑growth consumer services group is seeking an ambitious, commercially astute, and technically strong Senior FP&A Manager. This is a newly created senior leadership opportunity for an experienced finance professional to play a pivotal role in a period of rapid expansion, supporting reporting, modelling, managing external relationships, M&A activity, and analysis to enable informed decision‑making and sustainable growth.

Following a restructuring, the FP&A Manager will be responsible for heading up the ‘forward‑looking’ department of the Group Finance function (working alongside the ‘rearward‑looking’ reporting function). The role will also act as a business partner to the directors.

Working closely with the Board, and in particular the Group FC and newly appointed Group CFO, you will help deliver the strategic aims of the business and lead transformational change across the finance team and wider organisation. You will be expected to provide strong commercial acumen, proactively managing all aspects of the Group’s modelling, planning, financial and commercial analysis, as well as assessing new lines of business and their commercial aspects, including positioning and pricing.

You will provide robust analysis, alongside the ability to interpret, communicate, and report key insights to senior stakeholders. Crucially, you will bring the drive and capability to support change in a profitable, cash‑generative, and fast‑paced environment.

Reporting directly to the Group FC, you will play a critical role in overseeing the Group’s future, ensuring a resilient commercial position to support day‑to‑day operations and long‑term strategic initiatives. This includes modelling, proactive forecasting, continuous monitoring, and forward‑looking planning to facilitate confident and informed decision‑making.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute at a strategic level by developing and implementing modelling and analytical frameworks aligned with the Group’s objectives, translating financial data into clear, actionable insights, and helping shape strategic and operational plans.

This role will be instrumental in ensuring financial rigour, commercial awareness, and value‑add across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Modelling and Analysis

• Develop and maintain detailed financial models to support forecasting, scenario planning, and business case development across all business units.
• Analyse key financial and operational metrics, highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities to drive performance improvement.
• Provide financial insight and recommendations to support business strategy, pricing, and investment decisions.
• Support the Group Financial Controller with consolidated reporting and performance analysis.

Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted advisor to operational and functional leaders, translating financial information into meaningful insight that supports strategic and commercial decisions.
• Collaborate with teams across the business to build budgets and forecasts, ensuring ownership and understanding of financial outcomes.
• Support business units in managing their financial performance, identifying areas for efficiency and growth.
• Challenge assumptions constructively to ensure financial plans are realistic, transparent, and aligned with the Group’s strategic goals.

Budgeting, Forecasting and Planning

• Lead the preparation of rolling forecasts and annual budgets for assigned business units.
• Ensure accurate and timely consolidation of financial data and commentary.
• Provide forward‑looking analysis to anticipate future challenges and inform decision‑making.

Reporting and Insight

• Produce and present management reports and dashboards, ensuring key insights are communicated clearly and effectively.
• Monitor key performance indicators and contribute to monthly and quarterly performance reviews.
• Support the continuous improvement of financial reporting tools and processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with the finance team to ensure data integrity and alignment between financial systems and reporting outputs.
• Contribute to finance transformation initiatives, helping streamline processes and enhance forecasting accuracy.
• Promote financial literacy across the organisation, helping non‑finance colleagues understand and act on key financial drivers.

This is a broad, commercially involved FP&A leadership role requiring not only a strong technical and analytical background but also the ability to add strategic and commercial value.

As with all senior appointments in this people‑centric Group, cultural fit and alignment with company values are essential. In a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial, and innovative environment, attitude is as important as experience.

The successful candidate will play a vital role in setting the tone and culture of the FP&A function, demonstrating gravitas, energy, and an ability to influence at all levels. A hands‑on, proactive approach is essential, as is a mindset geared towards change, growth, and continuous improvement.

They will possess strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work cross‑functionally, and a track record of delivering results in dynamic, evolving environments.

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) preferred but not essential.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, and finance systems.
• Strong technical understanding of financial principles, management accounting, and financial modelling techniques.
• Excellent Excel and data analysis skills, with experience using financial systems and BI tools.

Experience

• Proven experience in a finance role with exposure to financial analysis, modelling, and business partnering.
• Demonstrated success in providing insightful analysis and influencing business decisions.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting in a complex or multi‑entity environment.
• Experience in a regulated or service‑based business is advantageous but not essential.

Attributes

• Commercially Minded: Understands how financial performance drives business success and can identify opportunities for value creation.
• Analytical: Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and present it clearly.
• Communicative: Able to explain financial concepts clearly and confidently to non‑finance colleagues.
• Curious and Forward‑Thinking: Proactively seeks opportunities to improve processes and provide insight into future trends and performance.
• Ethical and Professional: Demonstrates integrity, accuracy, and commitment to Group values.
• Awareness & Influence: Achieves influence through genuine buy‑in from stakeholders; a strong communicator able to engage effectively at all levels; driven and curious, with the ability to think critically to resolve problems; leads through emotional intelligence and a human‑centred approach.

The appointee will constantly strive for excellence and demonstrate personal drive and resilience, with a mature and experienced approach to both growth and setbacks. They will be self‑motivated and able to work on their own initiative while putting team and company needs before their own, and they will possess the ability to think flexibly and laterally.

The successful candidate will bring a continuous‑improvement and innovative approach to financial leadership and will be energised by a very fast‑paced environment rich with USPs. Their strength will be underpinned by a genuine “Just Do It” attitude and a sense of humour.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Job function: Finance, Analyst, and Strategy/Planning

Industries: Consumer Services, Business Consulting and Services, Utilities

Chester, England, United Kingdom (2 days ago)