At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis, driving transformation and delivering insights for strategic growth.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on modernising finance functions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and the chance to shape business strategy.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a high-performing team and drive cross-functional projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by reshaping FP&A processes and influencing senior leadership decisions.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with significant FP&A experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Anderson Knight is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Head of FP&A to lead a critical finance function at the heart of a large, evolving business. This is a high-impact leadership role with a strong mandate for transformation, offering the opportunity to reshape how financial insight, planning and performance management are delivered across the organisation.
You will play a central role in driving change, modernising FP&A processes, embedding best-in-class reporting and forecasting practices, and leading cross-functional projects that enhance decision-making and business performance.
This is more than a traditional FP&A leadership role. You will act as a strategic partner to Senior Leadership, while also leading a transformation agenda across systems, processes, and ways of working. Operating in a complex, multi-entity environment, you will bring structure, clarity, and forward-looking insight to support strategic growth and operational excellence.
You will lead a team of Finance Business Partners and work closely with senior stakeholders across Finance, Operations, and Commercial teams to deliver meaningful, data-driven insights.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the evolution of the FP&A function, driving improvements in planning, forecasting, reporting, and performance management.
- Deliver transformation initiatives, including process optimisation, systems enhancement, and reporting automation.
- Act as a change agent, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, standardisation, and analytical excellence.
- Own and lead the annual budgeting process and long-range planning cycle, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Develop and implement a robust rolling forecast model that reflects business dynamics and external market trends.
- Oversee the production of high-quality monthly and quarterly performance reporting, including insightful variance analysis and executive-level presentations.
- Provide clear, actionable financial insights to Senior Leadership to support strategic and operational decision-making.
- Analyse profitability, cost drivers, and operational performance to identify risks and opportunities.
- Support key business initiatives including pricing strategies, capital investment decisions and operational improvement programmes.
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial models to support planning, investment appraisal, and scenario analysis.
- Drive enhancements in data quality, governance, and reporting tools (e.g. dashboards, BI platforms).
- Partner closely with business unit leaders, acting as a trusted advisor on financial performance and strategy.
- Lead and support cross-functional transformation projects, ensuring delivery against timelines and business outcomes.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Finance Business Partners, building a high-performing, commercially focused function.
You are a commercially minded finance leader with a strong track record of delivering FP&A excellence. You bring both technical expertise and the ability to lead change, influence stakeholders and deliver transformation at pace.
Key Requirements:- Fully qualified accountant (CIMA, CA or ACCA).
- Significant experience in FP&A or commercial finance.
- Demonstrated success in contributing to transformation initiatives, process improvements, or finance change projects.
- Strong financial modelling and analytical capabilities, with advanced Excel skills.
- Proven ability to manage budgeting and forecasting processes in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience presenting to senior executives.
This is a rare opportunity to shape and modernise the FP&A function within a large, dynamic organisation. You’ll have the autonomy to drive meaningful change, work closely with senior decision-makers, and play a key role in influencing the future direction of the business.
Head of Financial Planning Analysis in Paisley employer: Anderson Knight
Contact Detail:
Anderson Knight Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Planning Analysis in Paisley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might know someone at Anderson Knight. A personal introduction can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company’s recent financial reports and transformation initiatives. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their challenges and is ready to tackle them head-on.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After your interview, send a thank-you email that highlights a key point from your conversation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the StudySmarter family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Planning Analysis in Paisley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in FP&A and any transformation initiatives you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Head of FP&A role. Share specific examples of how you've driven change and improved processes in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a leadership role, don’t forget to highlight your experience in mentoring and developing teams. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others and lead by example, so let that shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Anderson Knight
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of FP&A, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. Prepare examples that showcase your analytical skills and how they’ve led to successful outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is all about leading teams and driving transformation. Be prepared to talk about your leadership philosophy and provide specific examples of how you've mentored teams or led cross-functional projects. Highlight your ability to influence stakeholders and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Research Anderson Knight and their industry thoroughly. Understand their business model, recent challenges, and opportunities. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re not just a finance expert but also a strategic partner who understands the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, especially in complex environments. Think about past experiences where you had to analyse profitability or manage budgeting processes under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.