Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Apprentify; Wilmslow; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading training provider in Wilmslow seeks an experienced FP&A Manager to lead financial planning and analysis. You will provide strategic insights to drive performance management and enable data-driven decisions. Key qualifications include a professional finance qualification and extensive experience in FP&A roles. The role offers a salary of £55-65,000, hybrid working, and opportunities for team leadership.

Benefits

Company pension

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in FP&A leadership roles, ideally within a high-growth environment.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience influencing senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build agile financial models.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the annual budget and long-range plans.
• Partner with Managing Directors to align financial plans.
• Develop and maintain KPIs and dashboards for business performance.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial modelling

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Professional accounting or finance qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA)

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

Overview

The FP&A Manager will lead the financial planning and analysis function, providing strategic insights and forward-looking analysis to support decision-making across the business. Reporting directly to the CFO, this role will be instrumental in shaping the financial strategy, driving performance management, and enabling data-driven decisions. The role complements the Financial Controller by focusing on planning, forecasting, and strategic analysis rather than financial operations and compliance.

At Apprentify, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for all our Apprentices. The postholder will be required to undergo Safer Recruitment checks prior to starting work, including an enhanced DBS check and reference check.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Forecasting

• Lead the development of the annual budget, long-range plans, and rolling forecasts.
• Partner with the Managing Directors throughout the businesses in the Group to align financial plans with strategic objectives.
• Build financial models to evaluate business scenarios, investments, and growth opportunities.

Business Performance Management

• Develop and maintain KPIs and dashboards to monitor business performance.
• Provide monthly performance reviews and variance analysis to senior leadership.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions.

Business Partnering

• Act as a strategic advisor to department heads, providing financial insights and challenge.
• Support commercial decision-making with robust financial analysis and business cases.
• Drive accountability for financial performance across the organisation.

Data & Insights

• Champion the use of data and analytics to improve forecasting accuracy and business insight.
• Lead initiatives to improve data quality, reporting automation, and insight generation.
• Collaborate with the Compliance, Delivery and Sales teams to ensure alignment between financial and operational data.

M&A Strategy and Exit Planning

• Support the CFO in reviewing opportunities for acquisitions and strategic investments.
• Support the CFO in scenario planning, funding strategies, and exit planning.
• Lead on the development and maintenance of a data room in advance of any future exit.

Team Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing FP&A team.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, commercial thinking, and continuous improvement.

Key Skills & Qualifications

Educational Background

• Professional accounting or finance qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA).
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Experience

• Proven experience in FP&A leadership roles, ideally within a high-growth or PE-backed environment.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience influencing senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build agile financial models and deliver strategic insights.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and performance management frameworks.

Skills

• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Success Measures

The success of the Group Head of FP&A will be assessed based on their ability to:

• Deliver accurate, insightful, and timely forecasts and analysis.
• Influence strategic decisions through data-driven insights.
• Improve planning processes and forecasting accuracy.
• Build strong partnerships across the business.
• Develop a high-performing FP&A team that adds measurable value.

Benefits

• Company pension
• Private medical insurance

Salary: £55-65,000 per annum, DOE

Schedule

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Hybrid working
• (Must be able to easily commute to our HQ in Wilmslow)