At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and planning, providing insights for strategic decisions.
- Company: Reputable organisation in the higher education sector with a focus on financial excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape financial direction.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and drive service improvements in financial management.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a complex organisation while developing your finance leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with significant senior finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A reputable organisation is recruiting a Head of Financial Planning and Analysis. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially astute finance professional to join a large, complex organisation operating within the higher education sector. This is a senior leadership role requiring a qualified finance specialist with significant experience in financial strategy, planning, and operational delivery. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping financial direction, influencing strategic decisions, and ensuring the highest standards of financial management and governance.
The Role
Reporting into senior leadership, you will act as a trusted advisor across a broad stakeholder base, providing strategic financial insight and ensuring robust financial planning, control, and reporting. You will lead financial reporting and business partnering activity, supporting long-term sustainability and enabling data-driven decision making across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Finance & Leadership
- Contribute to the development and delivery of financial strategy and long-term planning
- Lead on the production of consolidated financial plans, including five-year budgets and forecasts
- Provide expert financial advice to senior stakeholders to support strategic decision-making
- Influence organisational direction through insight, analysis, and commercial evaluation
- Financial Management & Reporting
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes
- Deliver high-quality management information, including variance analysis and financial commentary
- Ensure robust financial controls, compliance with regulations, and adherence to audit requirements
- Identify financial risks, opportunities, and value-for-money improvements
- Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance audiences
- Support investment appraisal, business cases, and commercial decision-making
- Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing finance team
- Set service standards and continuously improve financial processes and systems
- Ensure delivery of a responsive, customer-focused finance service
- Represent the finance function at senior internal and external forums
- Contribute to policy development, ensuring compliance and best practice
About You
You will be a proactive and influential finance leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels. Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, CIMA, ACA/ICAEW or equivalent). Significant senior finance experience, ideally within higher education or a similarly complex environment. Proven track record in budgeting, financial planning, and commercial appraisal. Experience of business planning and strategic financial management. Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders. Experience influencing senior stakeholders and building strategic relationships. Demonstrated ability to drive service improvements and deliver high-quality outcomes. Play a key role in shaping financial direction within a complex organisation.
FP&A Manager (Planning in Hull employer: Hays
Join a reputable organisation in the higher education sector that values strategic financial leadership and offers a collaborative work culture. As an FP&A Manager, you will benefit from a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and development, while playing a pivotal role in shaping financial strategies that impact the future of education. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, this organisation provides a unique opportunity to influence key decisions and drive meaningful change within a complex landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FP&A Manager (Planning in Hull
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance sector! Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your insights on financial strategy and planning. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate how you can add value to their organisation.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before interviews! Understand the organisation’s financial landscape and come prepared with questions that show your interest in their strategic direction. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely invested in their success.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for job openings! Applying directly through us not only streamlines the process but also shows your enthusiasm for joining our team. We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you!
We think you need these skills to ace FP&A Manager (Planning in Hull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your financial strategy and planning expertise, as well as any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can contribute to our financial direction!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the FP&A Manager role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced strategic decisions and delivered high-quality financial management in the past.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be translating complex financial data for non-financial stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication prowess. Use clear and concise language in your application to show us you can make finance accessible to everyone.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s the easiest way for us to keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Financial Strategy
Before the interview, brush up on the latest trends in financial strategy, especially within the higher education sector. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the development and delivery of financial strategies that align with the organisation's goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to demonstrate your experience in budgeting and forecasting. Prepare specific examples where you've successfully led financial planning processes or influenced strategic decisions, showcasing your ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll want to see your leadership style. Think about times when you’ve motivated a finance team or improved financial processes. Be ready to discuss how you can lead and develop a high-performing team while ensuring a customer-focused finance service.
✨Communicate Clearly with Non-Financial Stakeholders
Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. You might be asked how you would present financial information to non-financial stakeholders, so have a few examples ready that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively across different audiences.
