At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing FP&A team while collaborating with senior leaders.
- Company: High-growth, PE-backed SaaS business with a dynamic finance team.
- Benefits: Opportunity for significant influence, leadership development, and shaping FP&A operations.
- Other info: Ideal for those with experience in PE-backed environments and significant transactions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment and drive financial insights.
- Qualifications: Strong FP&A experience, leadership skills, and understanding of SaaS metrics required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
I'm working with a high-growth, PE-backed SaaS business to recruit a Director of FP&A. This is a senior and highly visible role within the Finance team and, importantly, a genuine leadership position. The successful person will lead and develop a team of Finance Business Partners, while working closely with the Executive team and senior leaders across the business.
The role has a broad remit. You’ll lead Finance Business Partnering across the business, ensuring that Finance provides the right level of insight, support and, where needed, challenge to the business. Alongside this, you’ll take ownership of the core FP&A processes including budgeting, forecasting, modelling, investment analysis and senior leadership/Board reporting.
Who are we looking for? The environment you’ve worked in previously will be important, but I’m keen not to make the brief unnecessarily narrow. Experience within a SaaS business would be highly beneficial, particularly if that has been within a PE-backed environment. However, I’d also be interested in speaking with strong FP&A leaders from PE-backed technology, data, information services or other recurring-revenue businesses who can demonstrate a good understanding of SaaS economics and metrics.
What is particularly important is that you understand the pace, expectations and commercial focus that comes with working in a PE-backed environment, and that you have the leadership credentials to operate at this level. It would also be really beneficial if you have been through a significant transaction or event during your career. That could be an exit, sale, acquisition, refinancing, integration or another major period of change. More importantly, I’d be interested in understanding the role you played through that journey.
You’re likely to be operating as a Director of FP&A, Head of FP&A or senior Commercial Finance leader currently and should be able to demonstrate:
- Strong leadership experience, including building and developing high-performing FP&A and/or Finance Business Partnering teams
- The credibility to partner effectively with C-suite and senior leadership
- Strong FP&A and commercial finance experience
- Experience leading budgeting, forecasting and planning processes
- A good understanding of SaaS and recurring-revenue business models and metrics, including ARR, NRR, GRR, contribution margin and CAC payback
- The ability to turn complex financial information into clear commercial insight and influence decision-making
- Experience working successfully in a fast-moving and evolving business
- Ideally, experience within a PE-backed environment and exposure to a significant transaction or event
You will also be ACA, CIMA, ACCA qualified or equivalent.
The opportunity: What makes this role particularly interesting is the combination of leadership, breadth and exposure. You’ll inherit a significant remit, lead and develop a team and work with senior stakeholders across almost every part of the organisation. There is also plenty of opportunity to improve how FP&A operates and to help shape what the function looks like as the business continues to develop.
For someone who has already experienced the journey of a PE-backed SaaS business and is looking for a role where they can have real influence, this could be a very interesting next move.
Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in London employer: JC Talent Solutions
Join a well-established consumer business that values its people and fosters a collaborative work culture. As a Senior Payroll Manager, you'll not only lead a dedicated team but also have the opportunity to drive meaningful improvements in payroll operations while being supported by a company that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on teamwork and innovation, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact within a thriving organisation located in a vibrant area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like JC Talent Solutions. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from JC Talent Solutions.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like JC Talent Solutions. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in JC Talent Solutions and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show JC Talent Solutions how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at JC Talent Solutions
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with JC Talent Solutions.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with JC Talent Solutions's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!