At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis for innovative digital projects at a global education organisation.
- Company: Join the International Baccalaureate, a leader in global education with a meaningful mission.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic, supportive environment with a commitment to diversity and employee well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education while working with cutting-edge technology and diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in finance or related field; experience in financial planning and analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 61600 £ per year.
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary Range: Competitive, Location dependent (see benefits section)
Location: IB (International Baccalaureate®) Global Centre, Cardiff or The Hague
Hybrid working opportunity
About The IB
The International Baccalaureate provides world-class educational services to over 6,000 schools across 162 countries. A career at IB is not just a job; it’s an opportunity to work with an innovative world leader in education services and contribute to our 50-year mission of creating a better and more peaceful world.
About The Job
The FP&A function plays a critical role in enabling disciplined, forward-looking decision-making across the organisation. As IB continues to expand and modernise its Digital & Data capabilities, the scale, complexity, and investment profile of multiyear programmes within the Digital & Data Office (DDO) require dedicated, high-quality financial partnership. The FP&A Manager will serve as the primary finance business partner to the DDO senior/leadership team, including Chief Digital & Data Officer, providing strategic financial oversight, planning, and performance management for a portfolio of large, multiyear projects and digital transformation initiatives.
This role ensures that investment decisions, funding allocations, and programme outcomes are supported by robust financial analysis, sound forecasting, and clear commercial insight. Operating as a front-office finance business partner, the position combines financial stewardship with business advisory responsibilities. The role is accountable for strengthening financial visibility across programme lifecycles, enhancing cost discipline, and enabling proactive management of financial risks and opportunities associated with long-term digital and technology investments.
Working closely with mainly DDO stakeholders, domain leaders, and the broader Finance and HR functions, the FP&A Manager will help translate strategic priorities into credible financial plans, ensure alignment between budgets and delivery roadmaps, and support leadership in making informed trade-offs. The role requires strong analytical capability, confidence in navigating ambiguity, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a dynamic, project-driven environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic financial partnership to the Digital & Data Office (DDO) to ensure investment decisions, business cases, and projects priorities are supported by robust financial analysis and aligned with organisational objectives.
- Own financial planning and forecasting for the DDO project portfolio, ensuring multiyear large project budgets, funding requirements, and resource assumptions are credible, transparent, and enable effective long-term decision-making.
- Deliver financial oversight of large, multiyear projects and initiatives to ensure cost trajectories, financial risks, and value realisation remain visible and actively managed throughout programme lifecycles.
- Reporting to Head FP&A and CFO monthly on project and financial updates of large projects.
- Partner with domain and project leaders to ensure financial implications of delivery plans, scope changes, and prioritisation decisions are clearly understood and reflected in forecasts and financial plans.
- Strengthen financial governance and discipline across DDO investments to ensure expenditures are controlled, deviations are identified early, and corrective actions are supported by reliable financial insight.
- Lead financial modelling and scenario analysis for strategic initiatives to enable leadership to evaluate trade-offs, funding options, and financial impacts of alternative delivery strategies.
- Support Head of FP&A/CFO, Board and FARM governance processes by preparing, validating, and presenting financial analyses, investment views, and performance updates to enable effective oversight and decision-making.
- Financial Accounting and detailed tracking – support analysis of project costs to determine capitalization as per IFRS as well as proper accounting processes set up to ensure cost accuracy and reporting.
- Working closely with DDO office and People team to track, analyze resourcing for DDO office and its projects.
- Support in providing financial insight and challenge in Board and FARM discussions to ensure risks, assumptions, funding implications, and value considerations are clearly articulated and understood.
- Translate financial data into clear decision-support insights for senior stakeholders, enabling the Executive Team and DDO leadership to make timely, informed, and commercially sound decisions.
- Ensure alignment between projects financials and organisational financial cycles, supporting annual planning, periodic forecasts, and long-range financial views.
- Drive continuous improvement in project financial management practices to enhance forecasting accuracy, cost visibility, and the overall quality of financial information supporting digital and technology investments.
- Provide leadership and guidance to FP&A analysts supporting DDO activities, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and relevance of financial outputs provided to business stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related discipline.
- Professional finance qualification preferred (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent, FP&A qualification or MBA finance qualification).
- Significant experience in Financial Planning & Analysis, commercial finance, or business partnering roles.
- Proven experience supporting large, complex, or multiyear programmes/investments.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders.
- Experience operating in matrixed or global organisations preferred.
- Exposure to technology, digital, or transformation-driven environments advantageous (must have), such as IT services, software development, platform development, SAAS product development environments.
- Strong understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting principles.
- Solid commercial and investment analysis capability.
- Understanding of project/programme financial management concepts.
- Familiarity with financial governance, controls, and performance management practices.
- Ability to interpret financial outcomes in a strategic business context.
- Exposure to AI in financial processes, systems, workflows.
- Advanced financial modelling and scenario analysis capability.
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
- Ability to translate complex financial data into clear management insights.
- High proficiency in financial systems and planning tools (e.g. ERP, forecasting, Excel).
- Ability to work with large datasets and multiple financial drivers.
Benefits
- Annual Salary: circa £49,500 - £61,600 dependent on experience (for Netherlands: Circa €72,900 - €91,000)
- 10% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution required)
- Enhanced family friendly benefits
- 25 Days annual leave, plus public holidays, with the choice to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave
- Life assurance 4x annual salary
- Flexible working hours
- Paid volunteering leave
- Excellent continuous professional development
- 1.5% Flexible benefits allowance
- Health and wellness schemes
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discounts on a range of products, including days out
- Cash back opportunities available from a wide range of retailers
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free on-site car parking
- Regional employee benefit information available upon request
Applications will be accepted until 17 March 2026. We are committed to building a working environment that values respect, diversity, and compassion. The International Baccalaureate is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified applicants.
Financial Planning & Analysis Manager in Cardiff employer: International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at its Global Centre in Cardiff or The Hague, where employees are empowered to contribute to a meaningful mission in education. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including a 10% pension contribution, flexible working hours, and a strong commitment to professional development, IB fosters a culture of respect and diversity, ensuring that every team member can thrive and make a significant impact on global education.
Contact Details:
International Baccalaureate Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Planning & Analysis Manager in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at the IB or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission and how your skills as an FP&A Manager can contribute to their goals. This shows you're not just looking for any job, but you genuinely want to be part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role. Highlight your financial modelling skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders, as these are key for the FP&A Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the IB and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Planning & Analysis Manager in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the FP&A Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in financial planning and analysis, especially with large projects. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at IB!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how you can contribute to our goals. Be sure to mention any experience with digital transformation or working with senior stakeholders.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, don’t shy away from showcasing specific examples of how you've used data to drive decisions. We love seeing how you’ve tackled complex financial challenges in the past!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our global team!
How to prepare for a job interview at International Baccalaureate
✨Know Your Numbers
As an FP&A Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. Prepare examples of financial models or analyses you've created that had a significant impact.
✨Understand the IB's Mission
Familiarise yourself with the International Baccalaureate's mission and values. Be prepared to articulate how your financial strategies can support their goal of creating a better and more peaceful world. Show them you’re not just about numbers but also about making a difference.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you had to navigate ambiguity or make tough financial decisions. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and confidently.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves partnering with senior stakeholders, prepare to discuss how you've successfully influenced decision-making in the past. Highlight your communication skills and provide examples of how you've translated complex financial data into actionable insights for non-financial audiences.
