At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis for a major veterinary services provider.
- Company: Join IVC Evidensia, a leader in animal health across Europe and North America.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 26 days leave, and a dog-friendly office.
- Other info: Inclusive employer committed to diversity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on animal welfare while advancing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong FP&A experience and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At IVC Evidensia, we are a leading veterinary services provider in Europe and North America with more than 2,500 clinics and hospitals across 19 countries and around 42,000 employees. We aim to have an extraordinary impact on animal lives, supporting in the region of 25,000 animals every single day across our international network. IVC Evidensia exists to champion the long-term health and welfare of animals and deliver our purpose of Healthy Animals, Happy Owners.
Reporting to the Group FP&A Director, this role owns the end-to-end financial planning, forecasting and performance reporting framework for the Group. You will lead a team delivering the insight that enables the senior leadership team to make confident, evidence-based decisions. The role spans the full performance management cycle—from building and challenging the annual plan and quarterly forecasts through to rigorous variance analysis and benchmarking against external measures. As a key member of the Group FP&A leadership team, you will also play an active role in evolving the function's capabilities, systems and processes as the business continues to grow and transform.
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities
- Planning & Forecasting
- Own and manage the annual budgeting and multi-year planning cycle, coordinating inputs across all business units and central functions to produce a consolidated, Board-ready financial plan.
- Lead the monthly and quarterly forecast process, ensuring timely, accurate and insightful reforecasts that reflect the latest trading conditions and strategic priorities.
- Challenge and interrogate business unit submissions, bringing rigour and consistency to assumptions, phasing and presentation.
- Develop and maintain financial models that support scenario planning, sensitivity analysis and longer-range strategic modelling.
- Continuously improve planning processes, timelines and tools, with a focus on efficiency and accuracy and a particular focus on driving forward the use of the new Oracle planning module to fully utilise its capabilities.
- Reporting & Performance Analytics
- Lead the production of key monthly Group info on P&L and cash flow reporting versus plan, prior year and external benchmarks.
- Provide deep-dive analysis on variances, identifying root causes and translating financial data into clear, actionable narrative for senior stakeholders including the Exec team.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of KPI dashboards and scorecards that track financial and operational performance across the Group.
- Benchmark Group and divisional performance against relevant external measures, sector peers and market indicators, providing context and competitive intelligence.
- Ensure reporting is accurate, consistent and aligned with the Group's accounting policies and governance standards.
- Stakeholder Management & Business Partnering
- Build strong, credible relationships with divisional finance teams, operational leaders and Group functions, acting as a trusted advisor on performance and planning matters.
- Present financial analysis and insight clearly to senior leadership, adapting communication style to audience and context.
- Support the Group FP&A Director in preparing Board and investor materials, including Board packs.
- Collaborate closely with the Group Accounting, Tax, Treasury and Strategy teams to ensure joined-up financial planning and reporting.
- People Leadership
- Lead, develop and inspire a team of around nine, including two direct reports, fostering a high-performance culture built on accountability, development and collaboration.
- Set clear objectives and manage performance, supporting the professional growth of team members and building a strong pipeline of future talent.
- Create an environment of continuous improvement, encouraging the team to challenge existing processes and adopt better ways of working.
- Systems, Process & Continuous Improvement
- Champion the ongoing development of FP&A systems, tools and data infrastructure, working with IT, finance transformation and systems teams to enhance capability.
- Drive automation and standardisation of reporting and planning processes to improve speed, accuracy and scalability as the business grows.
- Maintain and develop robust financial controls and governance frameworks within the FP&A function.
Experience / Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualified experience in a complex, multi-site or multi-divisional environment.
- Proven experience in a senior FP&A role, with ownership of planning, forecasting and management reporting cycles.
- Strong people leadership skills, with experience managing and developing multi-person finance teams.
- Exceptional financial modelling, analytical and problem-solving skills, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Commercially astute, with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight for non-finance audiences.
- Advanced Excel skills; experience with planning/reporting tools—ideally Oracle EPBCS but certainly a sector-leading system (e.g. Anaplan, Cognos, SAP BPC, Power BI or similar).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership.
- Ability to work at pace in a fast-changing environment, managing multiple priorities and deadlines without compromising quality.
Desirable
- Experience in a private equity-backed business with a performance-driven culture.
- Exposure to businesses of comparable scale (£1bn+ turnover), ideally across multiple divisions or geographies.
- Experience supporting CFO or Board-level reporting and presentation.
- Track record of leading or contributing to FP&A transformation or systems implementation programmes.
Following receipt of your application, you will be contacted by one of our experienced hire recruitment team. As a BAME and LGBTQ+ inclusive employer, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary
- Work-life balance
- 26 days annual leave
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
- Pension
- Discretionary Bonus
- Discounted staff pet care
- Dog Friendly office
- Free Parking available at Head Office
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analysing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Head of FP&A - Corporate Planning & Analysis employer: IVC Evidensia
At IVC Evidensia, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions the health and welfare of animals while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our generous benefits package, including a competitive salary, 26 days of annual leave, and a dog-friendly office, all designed to promote a healthy work-life balance. With ample opportunities for professional growth and development, you will be part of a dynamic team that values collaboration and innovation as we continue to transform the veterinary services landscape across Europe and North America.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of FP&A - Corporate Planning & Analysis
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and planning 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 researching the company and its culture. Understand their financial goals and challenges, especially in the veterinary sector. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs—this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your past experiences and how they relate to the role of Head of FP&A. Use specific examples that highlight your leadership skills and financial acumen—this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you that dream role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of FP&A - Corporate Planning & Analysis
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of FP&A role. Highlight your experience in financial planning and analysis, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role at IVC Evidensia. Share specific examples of your past achievements in FP&A and how they relate to our mission of Healthy Animals, Happy Owners.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, make sure to highlight your analytical prowess. We’re looking for someone who can turn complex financial data into clear insights. Include examples of how you've done this in previous roles to impress us!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at IVC Evidensia
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of FP&A, 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 decisions in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've tackled budgeting and forecasting challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role involves leading a team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership approach. Share specific instances where you've developed talent or fostered a high-performance culture. Highlight how you encourage collaboration and continuous improvement within your team.
✨Master the Art of Communication
You'll need to present complex financial insights to non-financial stakeholders. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated with senior leadership and adapted your style to suit different audiences.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Planning
Given the emphasis on scenario planning and sensitivity analysis, come prepared with examples of how you've built financial models in the past. Discuss how you've used these models to inform strategic decisions and adapt to changing market conditions.
