Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

AJ Bell Management Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AJ Bell Management Limited is seeking a Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in Manchester. This strategic leadership role involves overseeing the FP&A team, driving financial planning, and providing insights for decision-making. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in financial services and a professional qualification such as CIMA or ACA.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification (CIMA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CFA) required.
• Extensive FP&A experience, including leadership roles.
• Experience in Financial Services or regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee FP&A team and drive financial planning and forecasting.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Manage the creation of the 3-year plan and annual budgets.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Financial Modeling

Budgeting

Forecasting

Stakeholder Influence

Commercial Acumen

Education

CIMA

ACA

ACCA

CPA

CFA

Tools

NetSuite

Workday

Excel

Job description

We are seeking a commercially minded Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to join our Manchester-based team and lead our financial future.

This leadership role is ideal for an experienced finance professional with strategic vision and technical expertise. You will oversee the FP&A team, drive financial planning and forecasting, and provide insights to support high-level decision making.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Financial Leadership

• Partner with CFO, ExCo, and senior leaders to support strategic decisions with financial insights.
• Present complex financial data clearly to executives and the Board.

Business Planning & Forecasting

• Manage the creation of the 3-year plan, annual budgets, and long-term forecasts.
• Deliver timely forecasts and analysis for planning and regulatory needs.
• Develop financial models for forecasts and scenarios.

Performance Analysis & Insight

• Analyze financial and non-financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Produce monthly and quarterly reports with insights for stakeholders.
• Enhance reporting processes for accuracy and efficiency.
• Support ICARA, wind-down planning, liquidity, and capital frameworks through financial modeling.
• Assist with investor relations and external communications.
• Oversee KPI reporting for internal and external use.

Leadership & Transformation

• Manage and mentor a team of analysts.
• Promote a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Champion process improvements and finance transformation initiatives.

Candidate Requirements

• Professional qualification (CIMA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CFA).
• Extensive FP&A experience, including leadership roles.
• Experience in Financial Services or regulated environments.
• Proven stakeholder influence and strategic delivery.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Advanced financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting skills.
• Experience with financial systems (NetSuite, Workday, etc.) and Excel.
• Leadership and team development skills.

About AJ Bell

AJ Bell is a leading UK investment platform, serving over 593,000 customers with assets over £90.4 billion. Listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2018, we are a FTSE 250 company headquartered in Manchester, with over 1,500 employees. We are recognized as a great place to work and are committed to diversity and inclusion.