Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

AJ Bell; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AJ Bell is seeking a Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to lead their Manchester team. This high-impact role involves strategic financial leadership, business planning, and performance analysis, requiring extensive experience and professional qualifications in finance. The successful candidate will drive decision-making and financial strategy while managing a high-performing team.

Benefits

Competitive starting salary

27 days holiday, increasing to 31 days

Matched pension contributions up to 8%

Discretionary bonus scheme

Annual free share awards

Health Cash Plan

Private healthcare and dental plans

Free gym membership

Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave

Paid volunteer leave

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in financial planning and analysis.
• Significant leadership experience in a corporate setting.
• Proven success influencing senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the FP&A team and drive financial planning processes.
• Present complex financial information to executive leadership.
• Direct analysis of financial and non-financial data.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Commercial acumen

Advanced financial modelling

Budgeting

Forecasting

Education

CIMA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, or CFA

Tools

NetSuite

Workday

Excel

Job description

We are now seeking a commercially minded Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to join our Manchester-based team and take a leading role in shaping our financial future.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced finance professional who combines strategic vision with technical excellence. You will lead the FP&A team, drive the Group’s financial planning and forecasting processes, and provide insight and challenge that enable effective decision-making at the highest level of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Partner with the CFO, ExCo, and senior leaders to support strategic decision-making through actionable financial insight.
• Present complex financial information to executive leadership and the Board in a clear and impactful way.

Business Planning & Forecasting

• Own the production and documentation of the Group’s three-year plan, annual budgets, and long-term forecasts.
• Ensure timely delivery of robust, evolving forecasts and analysis to support business planning and regulatory submissions (including ICARA).
• Build and maintain financial models to support rolling forecasts and scenario planning.

Performance Analysis & Insight

• Direct the analysis of financial and non-financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Produce the monthly outturn and quarterly forecasts, providing high-quality reporting and insight to key stakeholders.
• Continuously seek to unlock efficiencies and drive sustainable growth through insightful financial analysis.

Regulatory & Scenario Modelling

• Lead financial modelling to support ICARA, wind-down planning, liquidity policies, and capital allocation frameworks.
• Provide input and analysis to support Investor Relations and external financial communications.

Non-Financial Reporting

• Oversee the production of monthly non-financial KPIs for internal and external reporting, including trading updates and Board packs.
• Lead efforts to streamline and enhance the reporting process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

Leadership & Transformation

• Manage and mentor a high-performing team of financial analysts.
• Drive a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Champion process improvements and support finance transformation initiatives, including the development of integrated planning tools.

What We’re Looking For

• Professional qualification (CIMA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, or CFA)
• Extensive experience in financial planning and analysis, including significant leadership experience
• Experience in Financial Services or a highly regulated environment
• Proven success influencing senior stakeholders and delivering financial strategy in a corporate setting
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic mindset
• Advanced financial modelling, budgeting, and forecasting skills
• Experience with financial systems (NetSuite, Workday, or similar) and advanced Excel skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and inspire teams

About Us

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK, offering an award-winning range of solutions for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 593,000 customers managing assets totaling more than £90.4 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and we aim to make investing easier to help more people take control of their financial futures.

Listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is a FTSE 250 company. Headquartered in Manchester with offices in London and Bristol, we have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For' for six consecutive years and a Great Place to Work in 2024.

Our Perks And Benefits

• Competitive starting salary
• Starting holiday entitlement of 27 days, increasing up to 31 days with service, plus holiday buy/sell scheme
• Matched pension contributions up to 8%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan (SimplyHealth)
• Private healthcare and dental plans
• Free gym membership and on-site classes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay
• Travel season ticket loans
• Death in service scheme
• Paid volunteer leave
• Charitable salary sacrifice opportunities
• Social events including monthly drinks, Christmas and summer parties
• Parking at Exchange Quay (subject to availability)
• Technical training and professional qualification support
• Talent development programmes
• Peer recognition rewards
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches

Hybrid Working

We believe in building strong connections through collaboration. Our hybrid working model requires a minimum of 50% of your time in the office per month. New team members will spend initial time full-time in the office to immerse in our culture and build relationships.

AJ Bell is committed to a respectful, inclusive environment where all employees can bring their whole selves to work.