Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

Cygnet Group; Ham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Cygnet Group is recruiting a Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to lead the Group's budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting. The role sits in Kings Hill with hybrid flexibility and partners with the Commercial Finance Director, CFO and Board to provide critical financial insight.

The successful candidate will oversee annual budgeting, forecasting cycles, financial modelling and governance across the Group, driving data quality and supporting strategic projects including acquisitions

Qualifications

• Significant experience in FP&A, commercial finance or corporate finance leadership roles.
• Experience producing Board and Executive-level financial presentations.
• Experience leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning across a multi-site organisation.
• Strong financial modelling capability and data driven decision support.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting across the Group and consolidate budgets.
• Develop and own the Group forecasting process with robust models.
• Deliver monthly/weekly management reporting and insights.
• Analyse development and growth project costs and returns.
• Lead financial modelling for acquisitions and due diligence processes.
• Provide ad-hoc financial modelling to support Executive decision-making.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Financial modelling

Stakeholder management

Presentation

Communication

Advanced Excel

BI tools

Education

ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification

Degree educated or equivalent experience

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Helping others improve and turn their lives around - there's no better feeling. It's what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

Department

Finance

Reports To:

Commercial Finance Director

Location:

Kings Hill (Hybrid)

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Financial Planning & Analysis is responsible for leading the Group's financial planning, forecasting, performance reporting and strategic financial analysis activities. The role provides critical financial insight and decision support to the Commercial Finance Director, CFO, Executive Team and Board, enabling informed operational and strategic decision-making. The postholder will oversee the annual budgeting process, forecasting cycles, financial modelling, growth and development analysis, management reporting and Group performance insights. In addition, the role will act as the finance lead for strategic initiatives including acquisitions, growth opportunities and business cases, whilst driving continual improvements in financial reporting, systems, controls and data quality across the Group. The Head of FP&A will establish a consistent, data-driven approach to financial performance management across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Planning & Budgeting
  • Lead the annual budgeting process across the Group.
  • Set and coordinate the budget timetable and deliverables.
  • Consolidate divisional and corporate budgets into a Group budget.
  • Prepare Executive and Board budget presentations.
  • Develop top-down budget targets and financial frameworks.
  • Review budget assumptions and ensure consistency across the Group.
  • Maintain oversight and creation of Shared Services budgets.
• Forecasting & Financial Performance
  • Develop & own the Group forecasting process.
  • Develop robust forecasting models that incorporate operational and financial drivers.
  • Analyse forecast variances against budget and prior forecasts.
  • Provide recommendations to improve forecast accuracy.
• Group Reporting & Analysis
  • Deliver group level monthly and weekly management reporting packs.
  • Produce reporting documents to share with parent company.
  • Undertake Group consolidation analysis and provide insight into performance trends.
  • Develop reporting that highlights key risks, opportunities and performance drivers.
• Growth & Development Finance
  • Oversee financial analysis for development and growth projects.
  • Track capital expenditure and project cash flows.
  • Monitor development project costs against approved business cases.
  • Prepare Executive and Board presentations relating to growth initiatives.
  • Support tender reviews and commercial evaluations.
• Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Lead financial modelling for acquisition opportunities.
  • Support financial due diligence processes.
  • Analyse acquisition synergies and investment returns.
  • Prepare papers and presentations for Executive and Board approval.
• Commercial & Strategic Projects
  • Lead financial evaluation of new business opportunities.
  • Provide ad-hoc financial modelling and analysis to support Executive decision-making.
• Agency, Workforce & Cost Control
  • Maintain Group oversight of agency expenditure and reporting.
  • Support annual pay review analysis.
  • Lead analysis of Group cost control initiatives and savings programmes.
• Corporate Finance & Governance
  • Manage insurance questionnaires, schedules and related financial submissions.
  • Prepare insurance-related forecasts and presentations.
  • Produce Finance Governance presentations and Board papers.
  • Support property valuation reviews and related financial analysis.
• Shared Services Business Partnering
  • Provide financial leadership and challenge across shared service functions
• Lead on system implementation surrounding financial planning & budgeting modules.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
• Degree educated or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Significant experience in FP&A, commercial finance or corporate finance leadership roles.
• Experience of Group budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Experience producing Board and Executive-level financial presentations.
• Strong financial modelling capability.
• Experience supporting strategic projects and acquisitions.
• Experience managing and developing finance teams.
• Healthcare, social care or multi-site service industry experience desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Highly commercial mindset.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear business insights.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Strong presentation and communication abilities.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Experience using BI and reporting tools (Power BI desirable).
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.

What next?

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