Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

Michael Page; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Parking on site

Professional development

Job summary

Michael Page is recruiting a Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to lead the FP&A function, drive budgeting, forecasting and business partnering across the group, and provide strategic financial advice to the CFO and executive team.

Based on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, the role offers hybrid working with parking on site and a competitive salary, with a clear path to developing a high-performing finance team.

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant post-qualification FP&A and management reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial planning and business partnering function, budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning.
• Develop robust financial planning frameworks and modelling standards to support strategic decisions.
• Provide strategic financial advice to the CFO and senior stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial modelling

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Management reporting

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

The Head of Financial Planning & Analysis is a key role for the future of this business. You will be leading the FP&A function, ensuring the organisation's financial health and supporting strategic decision-making. This role is perfect for someone with strong expertise in strategising, budgeting, forecasting, and financial management, and team management experience.

Our client is a highly reputable well established growing business, looking to take a more commercial approach for their future. The business is based on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, with parking on site. They offer an excellent benefits package, hybrid working and a flexible hours.

Description

The purpose of this Head of Financial Planning & Analysis role is to provide senior leadership of the business's financial planning, management reporting, and business partnering functions, and to design, implement, and continuously improve the processes, tools, and analytical frameworks that support sound financial decision-making across the company and its subsidiaries.

The postholder is accountable for the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and financial analysis. The role requires the identification and resolution of complex financial problems, the exercise of independent professional judgement, and the production of evidence-based recommendations on matters of strategic significance.

The role leads the Finance Business Partnering function and is responsible for developing organisational capability, improving financial understanding across the company and embedding a culture of evidence-based decision making that supports delivery of their strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the financial planning and business partnering function, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial planning and financial sustainability.
• Develop and embed robust financial planning frameworks, performance management processes and financial modelling standards to support strategic decision-making.
• Provide strategic financial advice and challenge to the CFO, Executive Team, and other senior stakeholders.
• Lead the financial evaluation of major investments, business cases, partnerships, organisational change initiatives and commercial opportunities.
• Deliver high-quality management information, financial analysis, forecasting and performance reporting to support governance and decision-making.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, acting as a trusted strategic adviser on financial and resource planning matters.
• Lead, develop and inspire the Finance Business Partnering team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and professional development.
• Drive financial literacy, commercial awareness and planning capability.
• Monitor financial, regulatory and sector developments, identifying risks, opportunities and actions to strengthen organisational performance.
• Deputise for the Chief Financial Officer when required.

Profile

A successful Head of Financial Planning & Analysis should have:

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant post-qualification experience in financial planning, forecasting, FP&A, business partnering and management reporting within a complex organisation.
• Proven track record of providing strategic financial advice and influencing executive, board-level and governance decisions.
• Experience of leading, developing and transforming high-performing finance teams through change.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across senior leadership teams and with external partners.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Demonstrable experience of improving financial processes, reporting, planning and performance management frameworks.
• Strong strategic planning, analytical and financial modelling skills, with the ability to evaluate complex issues and support organisational decision-making.
• Sound judgement, commercial awareness and a proactive approach to problem-solving, continuous improvement and organisational effectiveness.
• Experience acting as a deputy to a CFO, Finance Director or equivalent senior finance leader is desirable.

Job Offer

• Competitive salary ranging from £70,000 to £80,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Hybrid working arrangement, offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work in a meaningful role and manage a great team!
• Supportive company culture with a focus on professional development.
• Permanent position with a medium-sized organisation based on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.