At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Anaplan strategy and development for financial planning across Europe.
- Company: Join Ford Credit Europe, a leader in financial services with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with a focus on equality and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of financial planning with cutting-edge technology and impactful solutions.
- Qualifications: Anaplan certification and 5+ years in financial modelling and project delivery.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
- Description
- European Financial Analysis (EFA) Team – Ford Credit Europe
The European Financial Analysis (EFA) Team plays a critical role in guiding the strategic and financial direction of Ford Credit Europe (FCE). We provide senior leadership with:
- accurate and timely financial and operational insights
- proactive analysis to support high‑quality decision‑making
- forward‑looking projections that shape the future performance of our business
- To strengthen and scale our planning capabilities, we are recruiting an
Anaplan Development Lead to drive the long‑term strategy, governance and evolution of FCE’s Anaplan platform across Europe.
Responsibilities
As the Anaplan Development Lead, you will define and own the strategic roadmap for Anaplan, ensuring our models, processes and data architecture enable world‑class financial planning and business performance management.
You will lead a small team of skilled model builders, setting best practices, championing Anaplan standards, and partnering closely with senior Finance and Business leaders across Europe to deliver scalable, high‑impact solutions.
This role is ideal for a hands‑on, solutions‑focused Anaplan expert who enjoys shaping strategy, influencing stakeholders, and building an integrated, secure, and future-ready Anaplan ecosystem.
- Platform Leadership & Strategy
- Own and develop the long-term Anaplan strategy and architecture for FCE.
- Ensure strong governance, data quality, model standards and best practices across all European Anaplan applications.
- Drive continuous improvement, challenging existing processes and identifying opportunities for automation and simplification.
- Model Development & Enhancement
- Design, build and enhance Anaplan models for forecasting, budgeting, reporting and portfolio analysis.
- Develop automated and standardised reporting that enables actionable insights for senior stakeholders.
- Develop automated driver based variance analysis between actuals and forecasts/budgets, supporting management reviews
- Strengthen and optimise existing models, ensuring they remain robust, scalable and compliant with best practice.
- Project Delivery & Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead end‑to‑end delivery of complex Anaplan initiatives, from requirements gathering to deployment and training.
- Partner with Finance, FP&A, Business teams and Shared Services to understand needs and build fit‑for‑purpose solutions.
- Collaborate with global Anaplan teams to align with group standards and regulatory requirements.
- Operational Excellence
- Ensure disciplined model testing, data reconciliation, ALM processes and user access management in a regulated environment.
- Provide high-quality support to local markets and management teams.
- Mentor and guide Anaplan developers, fostering capability growth within the team.
Qualifications
- Minimum Qualifications
- Anaplan Solution Architect certification
- 5+ years’ experience delivering full Anaplan lifecycles (design, build, deployment, support)
- Strong understanding of: multi‑dimensional modelling, data integrations and model optimisation, anaplan architecture and platform governance
- Deep experience with financial planning, budgeting and management reporting processes
- Background in banking, financial services, or similarly regulated environments
- Proven experience with ALM, release planning, regression testing and controlled deployments
- Ability to communicate complex modelling concepts in simple, relatable terms
- Strong problem‑solving skills, with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement
- Confident working under pressure, delivering to tight deadlines with minimal supervision
- Effective stakeholder management and communication skills, including at senior management level
- Ability to design and maintain a cohesive, secure and scalable Anaplan ecosystem
- Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced financial modelling skills
- Basic understanding of captive finance products
- Knowledge of stress testing, capital principles and risk concepts
- Strong data analysis capability
Additional Information
The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability
This position is based in Dunton, and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton office for typically 4 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements.
As part of our pre-employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.
#LI-SN2 #Ford Credit
Anaplan Development Lead employer: Ford Motor
Ford Credit is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly in the dynamic landscape of AI-driven product operations. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to cutting-edge resources and opportunities to shape impactful systems and processes within a supportive team environment. Located in Europe, this role offers the unique advantage of working at the forefront of technology while aligning with North American operations for a truly global impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Anaplan Development Lead
✨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 Ford Motor. 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 Anaplan Development Lead
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 Ford Motor.
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 Ford Motor'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 Ford Motor
✨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 Ford Motor.
✨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 Ford Motor 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 Ford Motor 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.
