FP&A Manager

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools; Swindon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health support

Generous annual leave

People's Pension

Life assurance

Job summary

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools is seeking an experienced FP&A Manager to lead budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling across our expanding group. You will partner with the Finance Director and senior leaders, delivering insights to guide acquisitions and growth strategy.

You'll build dashboards, support PE reporting, and drive data quality and automation while coaching the FP&A Analyst in a cross-site environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified finance professional with FP&A, budgeting, forecasting and modelling experience.
• Ability to partner with senior leaders and PE sponsors to drive growth.
• Experience turning complex data into actionable insights for decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting for the group.
• Develop rolling forecasts, long-term plans and scenario models.
• Provide analysis of performance, trends, risks and opportunities.
• Create KPI dashboards and management information for decisions.
• Support PE sponsor reporting, covenants and board reporting.
• Lead financial modelling for acquisitions and strategic projects.
• Build business cases for growth, capex and improvements.
• Partner with finance and operations to align plans with objectives.
• Improve data quality, automate reporting and enhance analytics.
• Develop FP&A Analyst and build a high-performing function.

Skills

FP&A expertise

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial modeling

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Strategic business partnering

Multi-site experience

Private equity exposure

Commercial acumen

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

VBA

Python

Advanced Excel

Education

ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

VBA

Python

Advanced Excel

Job description

Location: Remote with regular travel to our Swindon Hub and settings within the Group

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About Happy Days

Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.

We're looking for an experienced FP&A Manager to lead our financial planning and analysis function, providing the insight, forecasting, and commercial guidance that drives strategic decision-making across our expanding nursery portfolio.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with the Finance Director, senior leaders, and PE sponsors in a business that is growing through acquisition and committed to delivering exceptional early years education and care.

You'll be at the heart of the organisation, transforming data into meaningful insight, challenging assumptions, identifying opportunities, and helping shape our future growth strategy.

What You'll Be Doing

As FP&A Manager, you'll:

• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process across the group.
• Develop and maintain rolling forecasts, long-term financial plans, and scenario models.
• Provide insightful analysis of performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Create KPI dashboards and management information that support business decision-making.
• Support PE sponsor reporting, covenant compliance, and board reporting.
• Lead financial modelling for acquisitions, investments, and strategic projects.
• Build business cases for growth initiatives, capital expenditure, and operational improvements.
• Partner closely with finance and operational leaders to ensure plans remain aligned with business objectives.
• Drive improvements in data quality, reporting automation, and analytical capability.
• Manage and develop the FP&A Analyst, helping build a high‑performing finance function.

Leading and Supporting Others

You'll lead and support an analyst and -

You’ll:

• Set clear expectations and coach, develop and support them to do their best work.
• Manage workloads and make sure deadlines are met.
• Hold regular one‑to‑one meetings and performance reviews.
• Build a positive, supportive and collaborative culture.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for a qualified finance professional with strong experience in FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling who can turn complex data into clear commercial insights. You'll be a confident business partner, able to influence stakeholders at all levels while supporting strategic growth and decision‑making.

You’ll:

• Be ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified, or have equivalent accounting qualification.
• Significant experience in FP&A, financial planning, commercial finance, or business analysis.
• Strong experience leading budgets, forecasts, and financial modelling.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with financial systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable business insight.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commercially minded with a proactive and analytical approach.
• Experience within a multi‑site or multi‑entity business.
• Exposure to private equity‑backed environments.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, VBA, or Python.
• Knowledge of the early years, childcare, education, or similar sectors.

What We Offer

This is more than a finance role. You'll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, support an ambitious growth agenda, and make a meaningful impact on a business that helps children thrive.

We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive. This role will also provide exposure to senior leadership and PE stakeholders, along with opportunities to lead high‑profile strategic projects.

Learning and Development

• Support with accounting CPD requirements.
• Opportunities to grow your career.

Health and Wellbeing

• Mental health and wellbeing support.
• Generous annual leave from day one.
• People's Pension.
• Life assurance.

Ready to Apply?

Closing Date: 18th September

Interview Dates: 21st September to 2nd October

First Stage: 21st September to 25th September

Second Stage: 28th September to 2nd October

If you're a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys turning data into strategy and wants to play a leading role in a growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Inclusion and Safeguarding

Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre‑employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.