At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver high-quality financial insights and support decision-making for UK Retail leadership.
- Company: Join Hiscox, a leading specialist insurer with a unique culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and a focus on personal development.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and flexible working in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of financial strategy and influence real commercial decisions.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant with strong FP&A experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Build a brilliant future with Hiscox.
About Hiscox UK Retail: Hiscox UK is a leading specialist insurer, recognised for underwriting discipline, strong performance and a distinctive culture. Our UK Retail business serves a diverse customer base across personal and commercial lines, combining deep technical expertise with a highly commercial approach.
The Role: We are recruiting an FP&A Analyst to join the UK Retail FP&A & Business Partnering team, reporting to the Head of FP&A & Business Partnering – UK Retail. This role is suited to an experienced FP&A professional who operates with confidence and credibility, delivering high-quality insight to senior stakeholders. The role plays a key part in bringing together complex financial and business inputs, shaping clear, concise narratives that support decision-making and performance across UK Retail.
Sitting at the centre of the FP&A and Business Partnering model, the FP&A Analyst acts as a conduit between business partners and senior leadership, synthesising large volumes of information into focused, actionable insight. A critical aspect of the role is the ability to distil complexity into the “so what” — effectively communicating what the numbers mean, the implications for the business, and the actions required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Financial Performance, Insight & Storytelling
- Own and deliver high‑quality monthly performance analysis for material areas of the UK Retail P&L, including management expenses and headcount.
- Lead the development of clear, forward‑looking financial insight, identifying risks, opportunities and emerging trends for senior stakeholders.
- Translate complex financial data into a coherent narrative that supports decision‑making by UK Retail leadership.
- Apply professional judgement and curiosity to go beyond variance explanation, focusing on implications, actions and outcomes.
- Support the Head of FP&A & Business Partnering in preparing materials for UK Leadership Team, QBRs and other senior forums.
- Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting
- Take ownership of significant elements of the UK Retail forecasting, reforecasting and budgeting process, including assumption‑setting and constructive challenge based on commercial insight.
- Ensure plans and forecasts are robust, well evidenced and aligned to business strategy.
- Projects, Change & Continuous Improvement
- Play a lead role in cost, efficiency and change initiatives, option analysis and benefits tracking.
- Identify and drive improvements in FP&A processes, controls and reporting, with a clear focus on standardisation and automation.
- Collaborate closely with Group Finance and UK Financial Reporting teams to ensure alignment, consistency and a strong control environment.
- Team Contribution & Leadership by Influence
- Act as a role model, setting high standards for analytical quality, insight and professionalism.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the UK Retail FP&A & Business Partnering function.
Candidate Profile:
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Essential
- Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Strong FP&A experience, including financial planning, forecasting and performance analysis.
- Experience within general insurance, with the ability to apply knowledge quickly in role.
- Proven ability to work with senior stakeholders, delivering insight that informs decision‑making.
- Excellent analytical capability, with a strong focus on translating complex data into clear, commercial insight.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesise information into concise, actionable narratives, with a strong focus on the “so what”.
- Highly organised, with experience coordinating inputs from multiple stakeholders and managing timelines effectively.
- Strong problem‑solving mindset with the ability to cut through complexity and focus on key priorities.
- Experience producing high‑quality executive‑level reporting, including PowerPoint packs for senior leadership.
- Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, with the ability to create clear, insight‑led outputs.
- Experience working alongside business partnering teams, supporting senior reporting cycles and delivering consolidated outputs.
- Exposure to cost transformation, efficiency or change programmes.
Why Join?
- High exposure to UK Retail senior leadership and real commercial decision‑making.
- A pivotal role within a respected FP&A & Business Partnering function.
- Clear scope to shape how insight is generated and used across the business.
- Hybrid working and a culture that values performance, development and inclusion.
Diversity and flexible working at Hiscox: At Hiscox we care about our people. We hire the best people for the job and we’re committed to diversity and creating a truly inclusive culture, which we believe drives success. We also understand that working life doesn’t always have to be ‘nine to five’ and we support flexible working wherever we can. No promises, but please chat to our resourcing team about the flexibility we could offer for this role.
Work with amazing people and be part of a unique culture.
FP&A Business Analyst - 12-month FTC employer: Hiscox
Hiscox is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where FP&A professionals can thrive. With high exposure to senior leadership and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The culture at Hiscox fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the insurance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FP&A Business Analyst - 12-month FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and insurance 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 interviews by practising your storytelling skills. You’ll need to translate complex financial data into clear narratives, just like you would in the role. Use examples from your past experiences to showcase how you’ve delivered insights that influenced decision-making.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to research Hiscox and its culture! Understanding their values and how they operate will help you tailor your conversations during interviews. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Hiscox. Make sure to highlight your FP&A experience and how you can contribute to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace FP&A Business Analyst - 12-month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the FP&A Business Analyst role. Highlight your relevant experience in financial planning, forecasting, and performance analysis. 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 tell us why you're passionate about FP&A and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, don’t forget to showcase your analytical capabilities. Provide examples of how you've translated complex data into actionable insights. We’re keen to see how you can distil complexity into clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hiscox
✨Know Your Numbers
As an FP&A Business Analyst, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how they impact business decisions. Prepare examples of how you've used data to drive insights in previous roles.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
This role requires you to translate complex financial data into clear narratives. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms. Think about how you can convey the 'so what' of your analysis to make it relevant for senior stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
You'll be working closely with senior leadership, so it's crucial to highlight your experience in managing relationships. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated insights to non-financial stakeholders and influenced decision-making.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complexity. Prepare for scenarios where you might need to analyse financial performance or suggest improvements. Think through your thought process and how you would approach these challenges.