At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and forecasting to drive effective decision-making across the Group.
- Company: Join Hiscox, an innovative specialist insurer with a unique culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and great employee benefits for your wellbeing.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and flexible working in a supportive and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with amazing people.
- Qualifications: Strong FP&A leadership experience and a degree-level education are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Head of Planning & Forecasting is responsible for leading the planning and forecasting capability within the Group FP&A Centre of Excellence. The role defines and governs how financial planning and forecasting is delivered across the Group, ensuring outputs are consistent, robust, and support effective decision-making. The job holder is accountable for establishing planning frameworks, improving forecast accuracy, and ensuring clear alignment between planning, forecasting, and performance management outputs.
Key Responsibilities- Lead planning & forecasting across the Group
- Accountable for the delivery of the Group-wide annual business planning process, including governance, timelines, and coordination across business units
- Responsible for quarterly forecasting and rolling reforecast processes, ensuring outputs are consistent, accurate, and aligned to business performance
- Defines and embeds driver-based planning methodologies across the organisation
- Challenges assumptions with senior stakeholders to improve the quality and robustness of financial plans
- Ensures scenario analysis, stress testing, and sensitivity modelling are embedded within planning processes
- Supports long-term planning, ensuring alignment with capital requirements, risk considerations, and actuarial assumptions
- Acts as Group process owner for planning and forecasting, setting standards, governance, and policies
- Drives standardisation and simplification of planning processes across business units
- Improves forecast accuracy and transparency through enhanced modelling, data, and assumptions
- Leverages systems and automation to improve efficiency and reduce manual activity
- Own the integration between planning outputs and management information, ensuring consistency between plan and forecast outputs
- Partner with the Performance Management Team to align KPI definitions, assumptions and reporting structures
- Ensure MI outputs reflect key business drivers and provide a clear link to forecast assumptions
- Drive improvements in clarity, consistency and efficiency of MI processes, with a focus on forward-looking insight and decision support
- Strong FP&A leadership experience with deep expertise in financial modelling, planning and forecasting. Experience in insurance or financial services is preferred
- Degree level education and professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Strong understanding of finance processes within a complex organisational environment. Experience of off-shoring processes is preferred
- Excellent analytical capability, with the ability to interpret financial data and translate it into clear business insight
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build credibility with senior leaders
- Experience of driving process improvement and supporting change within finance environments
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively
- High level of attention to detail, sound judgement and strong commercial awareness
- Experience of using financial systems, planning tools and data analytics to support decision-making
- Proactive and independent approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines
As an international specialist insurer, we are far removed from the world of mass market insurance products. Instead, we are selective and focus on our key areas of expertise and strength - all of which is underpinned by a culture that encourages us to challenge convention and always look for a better way of doing things. We ensure the unique and the interesting. And we search for the same when it comes to talented people. Hiscox is full of smart, reliable human beings that look out for customers and each other. We believe in doing the right thing, making good and rebuilding when things go wrong. Everyone is encouraged to think creatively, challenge the status quo and look for solutions.
At Hiscox we care about our people. We hire the best people for the job, and we are committed to diversity and creating a truly inclusive culture, which we believe drives success. Working life does not always have to be in the office so we have introduced hybrid working to encourage a healthy work life balance. This hybrid working model is set by the team rather than the business to enable you to manage your own personal work-life balance. We see it as the best of both worlds; structure and sociability on one hand, and independence and flexibility on the other.
If you want to help build a brilliant future; work with amazing people; be part of a unique company culture; and, of course, enjoy great employee benefits that take care of your mental and physical wellbeing, come and join us.
Group Head of Planning and Forecasting employer: Hiscox
Hiscox SA is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of cyber security. With a hybrid work model, employees enjoy flexibility while benefiting from a comprehensive package that supports their professional growth and well-being. The company prioritises employee development and engagement, making it a rewarding place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the realm of AI and risk protection.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Head of Planning and Forecasting
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Hiscox. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of Planning and Forecasting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Hiscox.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Hiscox's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hiscox
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Hiscox.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Hiscox will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Hiscox employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
