At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis, driving strategic decision-making across the organisation.
- Company: Established UK financial services firm with a strong reputation and values-driven culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and excellent pension contributions.
- Other info: Opportunity for transformation and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the financial future of a respected firm and influence decisions at the highest level.
- Qualifications: Recognised accounting qualification and significant FP&A leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
A long-established UK financial services organisation, with a market leading reputation is seeking a Head of FP&A to lead its planning, insight, and performance agenda. With a strong heritage, a values-driven culture, and a commitment to long-term client relationships, this is an opportunity to shape the financial future of a respected firm undergoing meaningful modernisation.
This role offers genuine influence, senior visibility, and the chance to build a forward-looking FP&A function that drives strategic decision-making across the organisation.
The Opportunity
As Head of FP&A, you will be the strategic finance partner to the CFO and Executive Team. You’ll lead the full planning cycle, elevate financial insight, and create a performance culture grounded in clarity, challenge, and commercial understanding. You’ll inherit a stable environment, but one that’s ready for transformation. This is your chance to modernise processes, strengthen forecasting capability, and embed a more analytical, data-driven approach across the business. If you enjoy shaping the narrative behind the numbers and influencing decisions at the highest level, this role will give you the platform to do exactly that.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, long-term planning, and performance reporting
- Build a best-in-class FP&A function with strong modelling, insight, and business partnering capability
- Provide strategic financial analysis to support decision-making across all business units
- Develop and refine financial models to support scenario planning, investment cases, and transformation initiatives
- Partner with senior leaders across operations, technology, investment management, and client services
- Drive continuous improvement across processes, systems, and reporting frameworks
- Present clear, concise, and commercially grounded insight to the Executive Team and Board
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing FP&A team
- Support wider finance transformation, including systems upgrades and process optimisation
About You
You’re a senior finance leader who combines technical excellence with commercial judgement. You’re comfortable challenging assumptions, shaping strategy, and influencing senior stakeholders, while still rolling up your sleeves when needed. You will currently be working in a financial institution or investment firm.
You will bring:
- A recognised accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
- Significant FP&A leadership experience, ideally in a regulated or complex environment
- Strong financial modelling and analytical capability
- Experience driving transformation or modernisation within finance
- Excellent communication skills, able to translate complexity into clarity
- A collaborative, people-centred leadership style aligned to a values-driven culture
What’s on Offer
- 8% matched pension contributions
- Discretionary Group Bonus Scheme
- Hybrid working across Leeds or Manchester
- Private Medical Insurance & Employee Assistance Programme
- 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays (with extra holidays available for length of service)
- Group Life Assurance (4 x basic salary)
- Travel Loans
Head of Financial Planning in Manchester employer: Annular Group
Join a long-established UK financial services organisation in Manchester, where you will have the opportunity to lead the transformation of the FP&A function within a values-driven culture. With a commitment to employee growth and a hybrid working model, this role offers competitive benefits including an 8% matched pension, private medical insurance, and generous annual leave, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Planning in Manchester
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Annular Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Planning in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Annular Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Annular Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Annular Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Annular Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Annular Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Annular Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
