At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and forecasting for a market-leading brand.
- Company: Join a household name in a digitally driven environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a leading business with your financial expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in FP&A and team leadership.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor a high-performing finance team and drive innovation.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
HW Finance are delighted to be partnering with a household brand to help appoint a new Head of FP&A. This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished Head of Financial Planning to join a market-leading, digitally driven group to lead its end-to-end financial planning and forecasting processes. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for bringing together the full spectrum of P&L, balance sheet and cashflow planning to ensure one unified financial voice across the organisation. You will play a key role in shaping the future direction of the business - driving performance, embedding best practice, and ensuring that strategic ambitions are fully supported by robust financial insight.
The Role
- Lead the development of the Group's five-year plan, annual budget, and in-year forecasts, ensuring accuracy, challenge, and strategic alignment.
- Champion a cross-functional approach to planning, bringing together finance, operations, and commercial teams to deliver one cohesive financial narrative.
- Challenge and influence senior leadership to drive performance improvements and enhance decision-making.
- Drive innovation and efficiency within the FP&A function, leveraging technology to automate routine tasks and free up capacity for strategic analysis.
- Oversee risk and opportunity management, providing the Executive with forward-looking insight to inform operational and strategic decisions.
- Continuously improve processes, enhance forecast accuracy, and build business-wide understanding of financial performance.
- Develop and mentor a team of high-performing finance professionals, fostering collaboration, curiosity, and analytical excellence.
The Candidate
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post-qualified experience leading FP&A or group planning teams in a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrable experience of long-term planning and corporate finance, with strong commercial acumen and strategic insight.
- A confident and influential communicator, capable of distilling complex financial issues into clear, compelling narratives for board and shareholder audiences.
- Track record of leading teams through transformation and continuous improvement, ideally with exposure to new planning systems or automation tools.
- Comfortable challenging senior stakeholders and managing ambiguity, with a calm, structured approach under pressure.
- An inspirational leader who sets high standards, drives accountability, and develops talent.
Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in Manchester employer: HW Finance
Contact Detail:
HW Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of FP&A role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your financial insights and strategic thinking. Be ready to discuss how you've driven performance improvements in past roles and how you can bring that expertise to the new position.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your experience in mentoring teams and driving collaboration across departments. They’ll want to see how you can unify the financial narrative across the organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you nail that application process and land the job you’re after. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new opportunities tailored just for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of FP&A. Highlight your experience in financial planning, forecasting, and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this pivotal role. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance improvements and influenced senior leadership in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As an inspirational leader, we want to know how you develop and mentor your team. Include anecdotes that demonstrate your ability to foster collaboration and analytical excellence within your finance team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at HW Finance
✨Know Your Numbers
As a candidate for the Head of FP&A role, you need to be on top of your financial game. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them to drive performance in previous roles. This shows you can bring valuable insights to the table.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is all about leading teams and influencing senior stakeholders. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams through change. Be ready to discuss how you foster collaboration and develop talent within your team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific financial challenges or opportunities. Think about past experiences where you've had to make tough decisions or drive innovation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Align with Company Goals
Research the company’s strategic ambitions and be prepared to discuss how your financial planning expertise can support these goals. Show that you understand their market position and how you can contribute to their future direction with robust financial insight.