Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to drive profitability and support growth.
- Company: PE-backed global provider in the higher education sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full benefits package, and collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and influence key business decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a strategic role with excellent career development opportunities.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with FP&A leadership experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
A PE-backed company operating in the higher education sector is seeking a Head of FP&A.
Your new company
Our client is a diversified global provider in the education sector. Operating across Europe and beyond, it is part of a PE-backed international business.
Your new role
Reporting to the COO, you will be a highly commercial Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) leading forecasting, budgeting, and performance insight across the UK business. Working as a strategic business partner to senior leadership and Business Units, you will combine strong financial discipline with deep commercial and operational understanding, to inform decision-making, drive profitability, and support sustainable growth.
Leading a team of four, you will take ownership of all planning, forecasting and reporting, including the annual budgeting and rolling forecast processes, and build and maintain robust driver-based models as well as deliver concise monthly performance packs with variance analysis. You will lead the organisation’s annual five-year corporate planning process, integrating financial modelling with strategic horizon scanning, market intelligence, and operational context.
Business partnering is an integral part of the role supporting non-finance in managing P&Ls and in forecasting and longer-term planning for their business units. You will offer commercial and strategic analysis, partnering with Business Units and Sales/Marketing teams to assess pricing, discount strategy, and product/mix optimisation by market and agent and support contractual partner reporting and performance reviews. Controls, data and systems will also be an important part of your remit, including improving data quality and championing best-in-class FP&A tools and processes.
What you'll need to succeed
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with FP&A leadership, ideally in a commercial multi-site organisation. You will have analytical rigour and attention to detail and experience of financial modelling, driver-based planning, and scenario analysis. As a senior member of the team, you will be able to influence stakeholders with your proven track record of business partnering, simplifying complexity, and influencing decisions. We are looking for a team leader who can manage and develop the team and who has strong commercial acumen and excellent communication skills.
What you'll get in return
This is an exceptional opportunity that offers a real chance to enjoy a highly commercial role in a collaborative team. A full benefits package is on offer.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Head of FP&A in Abingdon employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of FP&A in Abingdon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and education sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company thoroughly, especially their financial performance and strategic goals. Be ready to discuss how your FP&A expertise can drive profitability and support sustainable growth in their business.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance, highlight your experience in managing teams and developing talent. Companies want to see that you can lead a team of analysts while also being a strategic partner to senior leadership.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to help you every step of the way, so reach out if you need any tips or advice during the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of FP&A in Abingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of FP&A role. Highlight your experience in financial planning, analysis, and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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 position. Share specific examples of your past achievements in FP&A and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, don’t forget to demonstrate your understanding of commercial strategies and how you’ve successfully partnered with business units in the past. We love seeing candidates who can connect the dots between finance and business growth!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of FP&A, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. Show them you can turn numbers into insights!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since you'll be leading a team, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've developed your team and fostered collaboration. They want to see that you can inspire and guide others towards achieving common goals.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the company and its position in the higher education sector. Be prepared to discuss how external factors like market trends and competition could impact their financial strategies. This shows you're not just a number cruncher but a strategic partner.
✨Prepare for Scenario Analysis Questions
Expect questions that test your analytical skills, especially around financial modelling and scenario analysis. Think of specific situations where you've had to assess different outcomes and how you communicated those insights to stakeholders. Practice articulating your thought process clearly.