At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis, transforming data into strategic insights.
- Company: Happy Days, a growing organisation dedicated to early years education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, mental health support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with exposure to senior leadership and strategic projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's futures while shaping business strategy.
- Qualifications: Qualified finance professional with FP&A experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Location
Remote with regular travel to our Swindon Hub and settings within the Group
Contract
- Full-time, Permanent
- About Happy Days
Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.
We're looking for an experienced
FP&A Manager to lead our financial planning and analysis function, providing the insight, forecasting, and commercial guidance that drives strategic decision-making across our expanding nursery portfolio.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with the Finance Director, senior leaders, and PE sponsors in a business that is growing through acquisition and committed to delivering exceptional early years education and care.
You'll be at the heart of the organisation, transforming data into meaningful insight, challenging assumptions, identifying opportunities, and helping shape our future growth strategy.
What You'll Be Doing
As FP&A Manager, you'll
- Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process across the group.
- Develop and maintain rolling forecasts, long-term financial plans, and scenario models.
- Provide insightful analysis of performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Create KPI dashboards and management information that support business decision-making.
- Support PE sponsor reporting, covenant compliance, and board reporting.
- Lead financial modelling for acquisitions, investments, and strategic projects.
- Build business cases for growth initiatives, capital expenditure, and operational improvements.
- Partner closely with finance and operational leaders to ensure plans remain aligned with business objectives.
- Drive improvements in data quality, reporting automation, and analytical capability.
- Manage and develop the FP&A Analyst, helping build a high‑performing finance function.
- Leading and Supporting Others
- You'll lead and support an analyst and -
You’ll
- Set clear expectations and coach, develop and support them to do their best work.
- Manage workloads and make sure deadlines are met.
- Hold regular one‑to‑one meetings and performance reviews.
- Build a positive, supportive and collaborative culture.
- What We’re Looking For
We're looking for a qualified finance professional with strong experience in FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling who can turn complex data into clear commercial insights.
You'll be a confident business partner, able to influence stakeholders at all levels while supporting strategic growth and decision‑making.
You’ll
- Be ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified, or have equivalent accounting qualification.
- Significant experience in FP&A, financial planning, commercial finance, or business analysis.
- Strong experience leading budgets, forecasts, and financial modelling.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience working with financial systems and reporting tools.
- Ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable business insight.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Commercially minded with a proactive and analytical approach.
- Experience within a multi‑site or multi‑entity business.
- Exposure to private equity‑backed environments.
- Experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, VBA, or Python.
- Knowledge of the early years, childcare, education, or similar sectors.
What We Offer
This is more than a finance role.
You'll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, support an ambitious growth agenda, and make a meaningful impact on a business that helps children thrive.
We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive.
This role will also provide exposure to senior leadership and PE stakeholders, along with opportunities to lead high‑profile strategic projects.
- Learning and Development
- Support with accounting CPD requirements.
- Opportunities to grow your career.
- Health and Wellbeing
- Mental health and wellbeing support.
- Generous annual leave from day one.
- People's Pension.
- Life assurance.
Ready to Apply?
Closing Date
- 18th September
- Interview Dates: 21st September to 2nd October
First Stage
- 21st September to 25th September
- Second Stage: 28th September to 2nd October
If you're a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys turning data into strategy and wants to play a leading role in a growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Inclusion and Safeguarding
Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children.
All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre‑employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.
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FP&A Manager in Swindon employer: Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools
Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools in Portsmouth is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing work environment where you can truly make a difference in children's lives. With a strong focus on professional development, our structured training and progression opportunities empower you to grow alongside a dedicated team that values collaboration and innovation. Join us to be part of a community that prioritises quality care and fosters meaningful relationships with families.
Contact Details:
Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FP&A Manager in Swindon
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We think you need these skills to ace FP&A Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
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How to prepare for a job interview at Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
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Familiarise yourself with Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
