At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the FP&A function, ensuring robust financial planning and reporting.
- Company: Established transport and logistics business with a focus on financial discipline.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate of £600-700 and flexible working model.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a dynamic environment while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Formal accountancy qualification and strong FP&A experience required.
- Other info: 6-month contract with excellent career growth opportunities in Central London.
IntroCedar is currently partnered with a transport and logistics business to secure an Interim Head of FP&A in Central London. The role is a 6-month contract, covering a project secondment, paying a day rate between £600-700 per day.
The Company
This established transport business operates across multiple routes and service lines, delivering services through large, multi-year customer and public sector contracts. The organisation has continued to invest in financial discipline and planning capability to support operational performance, cost control, and contract profitability. Finance plays a central role in supporting decision-making across the business.
The Role
As Interim Head of FP&A, you will take ownership of the BAU FP&A function, ensuring continuity and robustness during a secondment. The role will include:
- Ownership of monthly forecasting, budgeting, and rolling reforecast cycles across the business
- Production of management reporting, variance analysis, and performance commentary for senior leadership
- Business partnering with operational and commercial stakeholders to support cost control, productivity, and margin performance across large contracts
- Oversight of cashflow forecasting and working capital tracking at both contract and group level
- Maintaining and improving core FP&A processes, models, and reporting cadence
- Supporting ad hoc analysis to inform operational decisions and short-term planning priorities
Your Profile
You will ideally have:
- A formal accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
- Strong FP&A and management reporting experience within a complex, contract-led, operational environment
- Experience supporting or owning financial performance across large, multi-year contracts
- A track record of partnering closely with operational and commercial stakeholders in BAU settings
- The ability to step into a leadership role quickly and provide stability during a period of cover
- Prior interim or contract experience, or the ability to adapt rapidly into a short-term mandate
- The rate of £600-700 per day reflecting a logical progression from your previous role or contract rate
Compensation & Benefits
The role offers a day rate of £600-700 per day and the opportunity to lead a core FP&A function within a commercially focused transport business operating in a large contract-led environment. This is a BAU-focused role covering a defined secondment, with an initial 6-month term. The Central London location is well connected by public transport, and the business operates a flexible working model, typically requiring 3-4 days per week on site.
Head of FP&A employer: Cedar Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Cedar Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of FP&A
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and logistics sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities like the Interim Head of FP&A role. You never know who might have the inside scoop or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your FP&A knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting. Show them you can hit the ground running and provide stability during the secondment.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your business partnering skills! Highlight how you've worked closely with operational and commercial stakeholders in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to support cost control and productivity, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to find roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're serious about landing that Interim Head of FP&A position. Get your application in and let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of FP&A
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of FP&A role. Highlight your relevant experience in FP&A, management reporting, and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this interim position. Mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your ability to handle budgeting, forecasting, and business partnering.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your formal accountancy qualifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. We’re looking for someone with strong financial discipline, so make sure this stands out in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cedar Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Interim Head of FP&A, you'll need to demonstrate a solid grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on your forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis skills. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you successfully managed these processes.
✨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills
This role involves working closely with operational and commercial stakeholders. Prepare to share stories about how you've collaborated with different teams to drive cost control and improve margin performance. Highlight your ability to communicate complex financial information in a way that’s easy for non-financial colleagues to understand.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
Given the interim nature of this position, it's crucial to show that you can hit the ground running. Think of examples where you've quickly adapted to new environments or taken on leadership roles during transitions. This will reassure them that you can provide stability during the secondment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. For instance, they might ask how you would handle a sudden drop in contract profitability. Prepare structured responses that showcase your analytical thinking and decision-making process, as this will be key in supporting operational decisions.