FP&A CoE Staff Costs Manager

British Council; Dadri; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

British Council seeks a senior FP&A professional to lead the global staff-costs capability within the FPA CoE. The role oversees workforce cost planning, forecasting, modelling and reporting, ensuring accurate data across SAP and Anaplan, and providing strategic insights for workforce planning and cost optimisation.

The position requires extensive experience in financial data analysis, FP&A, and data governance, with strong modelling, forecasting and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in financial data analysis and FP&A.
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• Experience with data quality and reconciliation processes.
• Experience with Anaplan or similar EPM platforms.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders in a matrix or multi-country context.
• Strong capability in financial modelling, forecasting and analytics.
• Proven track record of partnering with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead organisation-wide staff cost planning across budgeting, forecasting and long-term workforce planning.
• Develop and govern staff cost models for permanent and non-permanent workers.
• Drive accurate reporting and analysis through standardised MI packs and data governance.
• Deliver scenario modelling and HR-reward impact assessments for leadership decision-making.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team.

Skills

Financial data analysis

Forecasting

Anaplan

SAP

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Data quality

FP&A

Communication

Education

Graduate

Professional accounting qualification (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)

Tools

Anaplan

SAP

Job description

Job Summary

Leads the global staff-costs capability within FPA CoE, overseeing workforce cost planning, forecasting, modelling and reporting. Ensures accurate, consistent staff-cost data across SAP and Anaplan, providing strategic insights to support workforce planning, cost optimisation and business decision-making.

Accountabilities

Staff Costs Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead organisation-wide staff cost planning across budgeting, forecasting and long-term workforce planning, ensuring alignment with business priorities, workforce strategies and consistent planning assumptions across SBUs.
• Develop and govern robust staff cost models covering permanent and non-permanent workers, incorporating pay, benefits, recruitment, attrition, pay inflation, organisational changes and transformation initiatives into consolidated forecasts.
• Drive accurate reporting and analysis through standardised MI packs, staff cost allocation methodologies and consistent workforce cost data, enabling transparent reporting, effective decision-making and strategic workforce reviews.

Staff Costs Data Quality Oversight

• Maintain robust workforce data governance by managing FTE, headcount, pay, banding and KPI standards; implementing validation controls, reconciliations, audit trails, and ensuring alignment across SAP, Anaplan and reporting systems.
• Deliver workforce data insights and assurance by identifying anomalies, analysing trends, resolving data issues, and providing accurate, insight-ready reporting to support BDS teams and senior stakeholders.

Modelling, Scenario Analysis Decision Support

• Develops and maintains staff cost models for business cases, organisational changes, workforce planning, and operating model transformation initiatives.
• Delivers scenario modelling, sensitivity analysis, and HR-reward impact assessments, providing actionable insights for leadership decision-making and strategic planning.

Stakeholder Management Influence

• Serves as the global staff-cost expert, delivering actionable insights and ensuring accurate workforce data across finance, people, and leadership teams.

Line Management Team Leadership

• Leads and develops a high-performing finance team through coaching, performance management, capability building, and professional development.
• Drive effective workload prioritisation and collaboration, ensuring delivery of high-quality financial planning, reporting, and analytical support across multiple markets and stakeholders.

Governance, Controls Internal Assurance

• Manage documentation standards, financial data governance, and reporting frameworks, while supporting master data enhancements and improving month-end, QBR, ad hoc, regional, market, and consolidated financial reporting.

Role specific knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• Significant experience in financial data analysis, FPA, cost management roles or similar.
• Experience in leading data quality and reconciliation processes.
• Experience with Anaplan or similar EPM platforms.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders in a matrix or multi-country organisational context.
• Strong capability in financial modelling, forecasting and analytics.
• Proven track record of partnering with senior stakeholders and influencing strategic decisions.

Desirable:

• Professional accounting qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent).
• Track record of delivering accurate financial reporting and analysis to tight deadlines.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP platforms.
• Experience delivering financial training or capacity-building.

Role specific skills:

• Analysis and variance report preparation - able to interpret data patterns and provide succinct preliminary insights.
• Team leadership - able to coach, develop and manage a small team.
• EPM systems proficiency - strong working knowledge of Anaplan, and experience working with SAP and associated reporting tools.
• Accuracy and attention to detail - ensuring high-integrity financial data across markets and regions.
• Advanced data quality skills - able to identify inconsistencies and guide corrective action.
• Communication skills - able to explain financial data clearly to finance and non-finance audiences.

Education

Graduate

Professional Qualification and Certification

Recognised International Accounting or Finance qualification or equivalent such as a relevant Accountancy or Finance degree (highly desirable)

Language Requirements

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.