Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

AQA; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

35-hour working week

25 days annual leave

Pension 11.5%

Healthcare support

Job summary

AQA in Manchester seeks a Financial Planning and Analysis Manager to lead FP&A across the group, guiding budgeting, forecasting and consolidation. This 16-month fixed-term contract places you at the heart of strategic decisions as you translate numbers into clear recommendations for senior leaders.

You'll manage a small team, collaborate with Finance Business Partners and implement Workday/Adaptive Planning enhancements, with a hybrid model requiring two days in the Manchester office each week.

Qualifications

• FP&A experience in a group finance environment is essential.
• Full professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience with Workday and Adaptive Planning is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead medium-term financial planning, budgeting and forecasting across a group.
• Produce monthly management accounts and present financial performance insights.
• Deliver group consolidation and intercompany eliminations.
• Translate financial information into clear analysis for stakeholders.
• Develop and mentor FP&A team and drive system improvements.

Skills

FP&A expertise

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Workday

Adaptive Planning

Job description

Job title: Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
Contract type: 16-month fixed-term contract
Location: Manchester
Salary: £60,000 to £65,000
Working arrangements: Hybrid working, with at least two days each week in the Manchester office. Monday is the team anchor day.

Lead financial planning and analysis in a growing and increasingly complex group environment.

This is an opportunity to help AQA ensure that every pound we invest delivers the greatest possible impact for education, while leading FP&A through an exciting period of growth and change. We're looking for someone with FP&A expertise alongside a structured, supportive and accountable approach to leadership. As Financial Planning and Analysis Manager, you'll maintain a clear and accurate view of AQA's financial position, risks and opportunities. You'll turn complex financial information into clear recommendations, helping senior leaders make informed decisions about spending and investment.

You'll report to AQA's Group Financial Controller and work closely with the Head of Commercial Finance, with regular exposure to the Chief Operating Officer and other senior and executive stakeholders. You'll also help embed new ways of working, improve financial processes and progress the effective use of Workday and Adaptive Planning, supported by specialists within the team.

AQA is a charity, so effective financial planning helps ensure that every pound is used wisely and that any surplus can be reinvested in education.

Success in this role will mean delivering accurate planning and management information to agreed deadlines, strengthening the team's operating rhythm and progressing the effective use of Adaptive Planning.

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Leading medium-term financial planning, budgeting and forecasting across a group with a number of entities and group turnover exceeding £300m
• Producing accurate and insightful monthly management accounts and presenting a clear view of financial performance, risks and opportunities
• Delivering group-level consolidation, including the effective treatment and elimination of intercompany transactions
• Translating financial information into clear analysis and recommendations for finance and non-finance stakeholders
• Leading and developing a specialist FP&A and finance systems team, with three direct reports and wider responsibility across the team structure
• Working collaboratively with Finance Business Partners, Financial Control and senior stakeholders to deliver consistent reporting and financial messaging
• Improving planning, reporting and systems processes, including the continuing development of Workday and Adaptive Planning models

You'll thrive in this role if you have:

• You’ll bring technical financial expertise alongside a structured, supportive and accountable approach to leadership.
• A full professional accounting qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent qualification
• Demonstrable FP&A experience in a group finance environment, including group consolidation and intercompany eliminations
• Experience of leading, coaching and developing people, including managing performance and supporting different development needs
• The ability to translate complex financial information into clear analysis and recommendations for senior and non-finance stakeholders
• Demonstrable planning and organisational skills, with experience of coordinating complex financial cycles and delivering to fixed deadlines
• Experience of Workday, Adaptive Planning or another financial planning system would be useful, but it is not essential. You’ll work alongside specialists within the team who provide systems and reporting expertise.

What's in it for you?

• This role offers the opportunity to contribute to an organisation with a clear educational purpose while gaining experience in a developing group finance environment.
• Exposure to a growing and increasingly complex group structure, including acquisitions and consolidation
• The opportunity to lead and develop a specialist team within a wider Finance function of 48 colleagues
• Scope to improve planning processes and influence the continued development of Adaptive Planning
• A 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working
• 25 days' annual leave, plus Christmas closure days
• A benefits package including up to 11.5% pension contribution, Bupa healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences

What's Next?

Applications will open on Friday 2 October 2026 and close at 23:59 on Sunday 18 October 2026.

The selection process is expected to include:

First stage: Teams interview during the week commencing 26 October 2026

Final stage: Face-to-face interview in Manchester during the week commencing 2 November 2026, including a presentation

AQA can make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. You'll be able to tell the Recruitment team about any adjustments that would help you participate fully.

Every application will receive a written outcome.

The successful candidate is expected to join AQA from mid-December 2026.