Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Metroline Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Talent Acquisition Professional to enhance financial planning and analysis for its bus franchises in Greater Manchester. This role involves leading the budgeting and forecasting processes, preparing monthly management accounts, and collaborating with finance partners to develop comprehensive financial models. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, leveraging their expertise to drive continuous improvement in reporting processes. Join a team that values innovation and teamwork, and make a significant impact on the operational success of a major transport provider.

Benefits

Free Bus Travel for yourself + 3

Free on-site parking

Pension Scheme Contributions

Benefits Hub

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free uniform

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE as a qualified accountant with strong forecasting skills.
• Experience in reporting under IFRS and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes for the Manchester franchises.
• Produce monthly management accounts and identify variances.

Skills

Forecasting

Reporting

Stakeholder Management

Excel

Financial Analysis

Education

Qualified accountant ACA/ACMA/ACCA

Tools

Oracle

SAP

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Senior Talent Acquisition Professional - 8+ years experience FMCG, Transport & Motor Trade

About us

Metroline Manchester is a recently formed subsidiary of ComfortDelGro, in March 2024 we were awarded contracts to operate four franchises and join the Bee Network in Greater Manchester by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). Metroline was formed in 1989, fourth largest bus operator in London running about 17 percent of the city’s scheduled bus services and has been a part of the largest private land transport company Comfort Del Gro since 2000. Here at Metroline we are 6,000 colleagues strong across the UK and help carry over one million of our customers every day, whilst Comfort Del Gro operates in 12 countries with a global fleet of over 40,000 vehicles and more than 22,000 colleagues.

Job Summary

The Finance Planning and Analysis Manager will assist the Financial & Commercial Director in the forecasting and reporting of the results of the Metroline Manchester bus franchises in Greater Manchester.

The role will involve monthly management accounts preparation, analysing and summarising key variances to budget and forecast for group and the production of detailed ‘depot packs’ for the four operational business units. The role will also lead the forecasting and budgeting process, building on the processes operated in London and enhancing and tailoring these to fit the Manchester operation. Working with the two finance business partners the FP&A manager needs to develop a detailed ‘bottom-up’ approach to forecasting and budgeting all aspects of the franchise operation.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the reforecasting and budgeting processes.
• Construction and operation of forecasting models for key components of the business such as driver costs, engineering headcount costs, routine maintenance cost regime using a ‘bottom-up’ methodology.
• Production of group monthly management accounts and depot packs. Understand and summarise variances to anticipated results.
• Develop company reporting to include financial and non-financial metrics and summarise the reasons for variances seen in operations.
• Driving continuous improvement in reporting and forecasting processes – identifying opportunities for improvement and standardisation.
• Free Bus Travel for yourself + 3 (companion + 2 children OR 3 children)
• Free on-site parking
• Pension Scheme Contributions
• Benefits Hub
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free uniform

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant ACA/ACMA/ACCA with at least 5 years PQE.
• Demonstrable experience of forecasting and reporting in a matrix structure. Comfortable working with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Skilled in the use of IT systems, specifically Finance Systems (e.g. Oracle, SAP etc) and also PowerPoint, Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Experience of reporting under IFRS.
• Strong Excel skills and the ability to model complex business problems, either building from scratch or modifying existing processes.
• Experience of using Oracle is desirable but not essential.

Hours of Work

Full time 38 hours per week – permanent contract. Flexibility required for hours/days worked (including weekends) in line with operational requirements.

To apply

Please email a covering letter of application and CV to the Manchester Talent Acquisition Team. Applications should include:

• the reasons you are applying for the post;
• examples of how you meet the skills;
• any relevant qualifications or experience.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Finance and Accounting/Auditing