Interim Head of Group FP&A and Category Finance in London

Interim Head of Group FP&A and Category Finance in London

London Temporary 70000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
G

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis for a dynamic beauty brand.
  • Company: Join Charlotte Tilbury, a leader in the beauty industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, inclusive parental leave, and wellness perks.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with significant FP&A leadership experience.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.

Contract: 12-month FTC (Fixed-Term Contract)

Location: Hybrid, London, England, United Kingdom

About the role

Charlotte Tilbury is seeking a Head of Group FP&A and Category Finance to join the business on a 12-month fixed-term contract, providing maternity cover. This is a senior finance leadership role with responsibility for the delivery of Group planning, forecasting and performance reporting, alongside category and product-level financial insight. Leading the Group FP&A and Category Finance teams, you will ensure that reporting is accurate, timely and commercially focused, and that the CFO, Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team have clear insight into performance, risks and opportunities. The role combines ownership of core financial cycles with business partnering and continuous improvement. You will work closely with regional and functional finance teams, commercial and marketing stakeholders, and our parent company Puig to maintain high standards across planning, reporting and decision support.

Key Responsibilities

  • Group FP&A
    • Own the end-to-end delivery of the global annual budget, forecasting cycles and three-year plan, setting clear timelines, standards and expectations across regions and functions.
    • Lead the consolidation, review and challenge of submissions, ensuring assumptions are robust, outputs are accurate and Group and Puig deadlines are met.
    • Own the preparation of weekly, monthly, executive and Board reporting, translating financial performance into clear commentary, risks, opportunities and recommended actions.
    • Provide the CFO, Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team with forward-looking insight on revenue, profitability and key business drivers.
    • Manage Group FP&A deliverables and ad hoc analysis for Puig and senior stakeholders, prioritising requests and ensuring consistent, high-quality outputs.
    • Improve planning and reporting processes, controls and ways of working to increase efficiency, clarity and the quality of insight.
  • Category Finance
    • Own the delivery of category, franchise and product-level reporting, including performance across launches, core ranges, limited editions and key franchises.
    • Lead analysis of retail, gross and net sales, NPD versus core performance, category profitability and the financial drivers of growth.
    • Turn category and product performance into clear commercial recommendations, identifying opportunities, risks and areas requiring action.
    • Lead financial input into category growth plans, investment decisions and business cases, partnering with Commercial, Marketing, NPD and Regional teams.
    • Set the agenda for Category Finance improvements, strengthening data quality, reporting capability and the usability of insight through Anaplan, Power BI and other tools.
  • Leadership and Business Partnering
    • Lead, coach and develop the Group FP&A and Category Finance teams, setting clear priorities and creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
    • Act as a trusted and constructive partner to stakeholders, bringing an independent financial perspective and appropriate challenge.
    • Build effective relationships across Puig, Regional Finance, Commercial, Marketing, NPD and Supply Chain to ensure alignment and support strong business outcomes.
    • Maintain high standards of governance, accuracy and integrity across planning, forecasting, reporting and analysis.
  • Finance Transformation and Systems
    • Act as the senior Finance owner for relevant Anaplan developments, working with the internal Anaplan team to prioritise enhancements that support planning and reporting requirements.
    • Provide finance leadership and subject-matter input into systems transformation, ensuring new processes and data structures align with business and reporting needs.
    • Lead Finance delivery of the Integrated Financial Planning project through to go-live, partnering with Regional Finance and Supply Chain to align commercial, demand and financial forecasts.

Requirements

  • Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent).
  • Significant FP&A leadership experience within a fast-paced consumer, retail, FMCG or beauty business.
  • Proven experience owning complex budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting cycles in a global or multi-market organisation.
  • Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to interpret performance, identify the key message and recommend practical actions.
  • Confident communicator with experience influencing and constructively challenging Executive and Board-level stakeholders.
  • Experience leading and developing finance teams and managing delivery across multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills, with experience working with large data sets and management reporting tools.

Desirable Skills

  • Experience of Anaplan and Power BI is highly desirable.
  • Exposure to finance systems transformation programmes would be advantageous.

Benefits

  • 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) with an additional day to celebrate your birthday.
  • Inclusive parental leave policy that supports all parents and carers throughout their parenting and caring journey.
  • Financial security and planning with pension and life assurance for all.
  • Wellness and social benefits including Medicash, Employee Assist Programs and regular social connects with colleagues.
  • Bring your furry friend to work on allocated dog friendly days and spaces.
  • Generous product discount and gifting.

Interim Head of Group FP&A and Category Finance in London employer: Gofractional

Gofractional is an exceptional employer that prioritises a positive candidate experience and fosters a collaborative work culture in the heart of London. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills while working with cutting-edge recruitment technologies. Join us to be part of a team that values kindness, innovation, and the continuous improvement of hiring practices.

G

Contact Details:

Gofractional Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Group FP&A and Category Finance in London

Join Financial Networking Events

Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.

Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance

Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Gofractional.

Connect with Alumni from Your Uni

Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.

Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Gofractional might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Group FP&A and Category Finance in London

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)
Budgeting
Forecasting
Performance Reporting
Commercial Acumen
Stakeholder Management
Team Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Gofractional will be keen to see in your application.

Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Gofractional. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!

Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Gofractional confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Gofractional

Brush Up on Financial Regulations

Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Gofractional.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.

Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Gofractional that you’re a reliable team player.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.