Interim Head of FP&A

JSS; England; On-site; GBP 138,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

JSS is partnering with a well known listed retail business seeking an Interim Head of FP&A to lead planning, forecasting and performance management during a critical transformation. Reporting to the CFO, this role requires storytelling and business partnering as much as technical FP&A.

The candidate will lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning, drive insights for executive decision-making, and develop robust reporting and dashboards while guiding a high-performing FP&A team.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant FP&A leadership experience in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience in listed, PE-backed or multi-site consumer-facing business.
• Strong track record of business partnering senior stakeholders and influencing decisions.
• Experience improving planning, forecasting and performance management processes.
• Ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the group budgeting, forecasting and long range planning processes.
• Drive month-end performance reviews with insight into trading performance, risks and opportunities.
• Partner with CFO, CEO and senior leadership to support strategic decision making.
• Present financial performance, forecasts and key business drivers concisely to executives.
• Develop and enhance reporting packs, KPIs and dashboards.
• Lead, mentor and develop the FP&A team.
• Challenge assumptions and ensure robust forecasting processes.
• Link finance with operational leadership to improve commercial decision making.
• Support Board and investor reporting requirements when required.
• Drive improvements in planning, reporting and performance management processes.

Skills

FP&A leadership

Business partnering

Stakeholder influence

Forecasting

Performance management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

Northamptonshire | Listed Retail PLC | £750-850 per day (IR35 status TBC)

JSS are partnering with a well known listed retail business seeking an experienced Interim Head of FP&A to lead the financial planning, forecasting and performance management agenda during a critical period of transformation. Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a highly visible role requiring a commercially minded finance leader who can influence stakeholders across the executive team and wider business. While strong FP&A capability is essential, this position is far more focused on storytelling, business partnering, influencing and driving action from insight than simply owning financial models.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the group budgeting, forecasting and long range planning processes.
• Drive month-end performance reviews, providing clear insight into trading performance, risks and opportunities.
• Partner with the CFO, CEO and senior leadership team to support strategic decision making.
• Present financial performance, forecasts and key business drivers to executive stakeholders in a concise and impactful manner.
• Develop and enhance reporting packs, KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Lead, mentor and develop the FP&A team.
• Challenge assumptions, identify risks and ensure robust forecasting processes are in place.
• Act as the link between finance and operational leadership to improve commercial decision making.
• Support Board and investor related reporting requirements where required.
• Drive improvements in planning, reporting and performance management processes.

Candidate Profile

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience leading FP&A activities within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience operating within a listed, PE-backed or multi-site consumer-facing business.
• Strong track record of business partnering senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making.
• Experience improving planning, forecasting and performance management processes.
• Ability to quickly establish credibility and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Key Attributes

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
• Able to influence, challenge and gain buy-in from senior leaders.
• Commercially focused, with the ability to turn analysis into actions.
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity and driving change.
• Credible presence in Board-level discussions.