Senior Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager – Systems & Reporting Lead in Bolton

The role has a strong focus on data, systems, reporting and performance insight, ensuring senior leaders have access to clear, timely and decision-ready information.

What you'll do:

• Financial Performance & Analysis
  • Lead periodic management reporting and BI-driven performance analysis, ensuring timely, accurate and consistent results to internal stakeholders.
  • Support senior leadership with data-led insight, challenge and recommendations aligned to strategic and operational objectives.
  • Manage KPI reporting and performance dashboards for relevant divisions, highlighting trends, risks and opportunities.
  • Build and maintain robust financial and performance models to support initiatives and business cases.
  • Provide variance analysis vs budget/forecast with clear narrative, visualisation and actions.
  • Deliver high-impact ad-hoc analysis, reporting and data deep-dives as requested by the Head of FP&A / Finance Director.
• Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Coordinate and deliver the UK annual budgeting cycle with the FP&A team, supported by system-driven planning and BI reporting outputs.
  • Drive the quarterly reforecast process in partnership with Finance and BI to improve forecast accuracy, automation and efficiency.
  • Maintain and improve the planning model and underlying KPI assumptions to ensure data integrity, consistency and alignment across systems.
  • Monitor performance vs budget/forecast using BI dashboards and reporting tools and recommend corrective actions.
• Systems & Automation
  • Support the implementation and enhancement of BI, planning and finance systems for reporting, budgeting and modelling in partnership with the Head of FP&A and BI.
  • Continuously improve processes, standardise reporting packs, strengthen data governance and automate repeatable tasks.
  • Manage distribution, access and governance of dashboards, reports and performance outputs through systems and automation.
  • Act as a key FP&A contact for systems development, reporting enhancements and data model changes.
• Business Partnering
  • Build strong working relationships with senior leaders and operational teams; act as the first point of contact for FP&A, reporting and BI-related queries within remit.
  • Provide timely monthly reports and interactive dashboards (with BI support) and improve financial and data awareness through guidance and training where needed.
  • Model a positive, professional and collaborative approach within Finance and across BI and the wider business.

What we're looking for:

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (CIMA / ACCA / ACA or equivalent).
• 5+ years’ FP&A / Commercial Finance experience, with significant exposure to BI, systems or performance reporting.
• Advanced financial modelling, budgeting and forecasting (Excel and BI tools).
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and data quality.
• Ability to present complex financial and performance information clearly to senior stakeholders; strong executive-ready slide and dashboard storytelling skills (PowerPoint).
• Solid grounding in management accounting, planning and performance measurement.

Desirable

• Experience improving and standardising BI reporting processes, automation and dashboard delivery.
• Exposure to tools such as Planning Analytics, Power BI, Tableau or Cognos.
• Experience working with finance or reporting systems implementations.
• Experience in a PE-backed environment.
• Experience mentoring or informally coaching team members.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
• A market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales. Please note: 4DWW is subject to successful completion of your probation period and is not a contractual benefit.