At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and lead a brand-new FP&A function from the ground up.
- Company: A thriving business ready for transformation and growth.
- Benefits: Career-defining role with unmatched influence and visibility.
- Other info: Opportunity to become CFO successor and work closely with senior leadership.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance and drive real change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: ACA/ACCA/CMA qualified with experience in Commercial Finance or FP&A.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.
A Once-in-a-Career Opportunity to Build What Others Only Inherit. Imagine stepping into a business that has thrived for decades, yet has never had a true FP&A engine. No inherited team. No legacy processes to untangle. No outdated reporting pack that everyone hates. Just a blank canvas, a business hungry for insight, and a CFO who wants a partner, not a passenger. This is not a role you walk into. This is a role you create. The company stands on the edge of a new chapter - disciplined growth, sharper project selection, higher margins, and a renewed commitment to data-driven decision-making. Across multiple regions and sectors, operational leaders are asking the same thing: “Where is FP&A? We need it.” They just don’t know what great looks like… that’s where you come in. You will be the architect of the data, the models, the rhythms, the structure, the culture, and the insight that will reshape how an entire organisation thinks, plans, and decides. Roles like this appear only a handful of times in a career.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- A Career-Defining Greenfield Build: You’ll be able to say - and truly mean it: “I built FP&A from scratch: the team, the systems, the forecasting engine, the analytics layer, and the decision-making culture.”
- A Dual Career Path (Two Routes, Both Exceptional): This role has been designed with intention - and ambition. Path 1: Deep Specialist → Director. Become the company’s technical powerhouse - the person who sets the standard for modelling, forecasting, analytics and commercial insight. OR… Path 2: Commercial Leader → CFO Succession. The CFO is a transformation leader by design: she builds, fixes, elevates… and moves on. She has been clear that this role is her natural successor when the time is right.
- Unmatched Scope and Influence: Across multiple regions and sectors, you’ll be embedded with operational and commercial leaders who will pull you in, not wait for you to push your way in. You’ll shape pipeline quality, project performance, margin protection, cash discipline, and bid governance.
- Build the Technical Engine That Powers the Business: If you love the craft, the data, the modelling, the architecture, the analytics - this is your playground. You will design and implement: Forecasting and planning frameworks, the reporting engine and KPIs, data models and dashboards, governance around bids, risks and performance, a scalable hub-and-spoke FP&A team.
- Real Transformation, Not Cosmetic Change: This is not a business looking for “slightly better reporting.” This is a business ready for a leap - in thinking, capability and performance. You’ll challenge assumptions, modernise ways of working, streamline decision-making, and embed a culture where insight drives action.
- Visibility at the Highest Level: Board exposure isn’t a later-career hope. It’s built into the job on day one. You’ll be owning the narrative, shaping decisions, and providing the clarity senior leadership have been missing.
WHO THIS ROLE IS PERFECT FOR
- Someone who is ACA/ACCA/CMA qualified.
- Experience in Commercial Finance / FP&A roles.
- Thrives when given freedom and responsibility.
- Loves building and solving, not maintaining and polishing.
- Wants challenge, pace, influence and visibility.
- Has the capability and credibility to be deputy to the CFO - or become the CFO.
- Is technically sharp, commercially minded, analytically strong, and operationally engaged.
If you want to be the heartbeat of performance - this is the seat.
WHAT THIS ROLE IS NOT
- Reporting month-end numbers.
- Tweaking last year’s budget template.
- Sitting quietly in finance.
- A sideways move.
- Maintenance mode.
This is a step-change role - for you and for the business.
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
You’ll be partnering daily with: Regional MDs, Commercial Directors, Project teams, Leadership and the Board. You will have impact in the regions, influence at HQ, and visibility everywhere.
WHY NOW?
Because the business is ready. The CFO is ready. The regions are asking for you before they even know your name. And the blank page is waiting for its architect.
Get in touch to find out more - rachel@ifftalent.com.
Head of FP&A in Leeds employer: IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide
Contact Detail:
IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of FP&A in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their challenges and think about how you can bring value, especially in building FP&A from scratch. Show them you're not just a fit, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for FP&A and how you would approach building it. This is your chance to showcase your creativity and strategic thinking—make it count!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of FP&A in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Building: When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for creating something from scratch shine through. We want to see how you can turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece in FP&A. Share examples of past projects where you've built or transformed processes.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Highlight your qualifications and experiences that align with the role without unnecessary fluff. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application. Take the time to tailor it to our specific needs and the unique challenges we face. Show us that you understand what great FP&A looks like and how you can help us achieve it.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide
✨Understand the Blank Canvas
Before your interview, take time to really grasp what it means to build FP&A from scratch. Research the company’s current financial processes and think about how you would approach creating a new framework. Be ready to share your vision on how you can transform their financial planning and analysis.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
This role demands a strong technical background. Prepare to discuss specific tools and methodologies you’ve used in previous roles. Bring examples of forecasting models or data analytics projects you've led, and be ready to explain how they contributed to decision-making.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Potential
Since this position could lead to a CFO role, highlight your leadership experiences. Share stories where you’ve influenced change or led teams through transformation. Show that you’re not just a numbers person but also someone who can inspire and drive a culture of insight.
✨Prepare for High-Level Discussions
You’ll be interacting with senior leadership, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you would communicate complex financial insights to non-financial stakeholders. Think about how you can own the narrative and provide clarity to the board.