At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the rollout of a global forecasting tool and develop robust financial models.
- Company: Join JD Group, a leading global omni-channel retailer in sports fashion.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, gym memberships, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Become a multi-platform expert and make a real impact in finance transformation.
- Qualifications: Expertise in IBM Planning Analytics and a passion for financial systems.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Department: Finance
Location: Finance Transformation / Finance Systems Team
Reporting To: David Szabo
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 29 May 2026
Internal/External: Internal & External
About JD Group
Founded in 1981 with a single store in the Northwest of England, JD Group has grown into a leading global omni-channel retailer in Sports Fashion, Outdoors, and Gyms. Our diverse and dedicated teams operate across a portfolio of renowned retail brands in multiple international markets. Listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1996 and a proud member of the FTSE100 since 2019, JD Group continues to expand both in the UK and globally driven by a commitment to innovation, excellence, and possibility. Our vision is to become the world’s most trusted and dynamic omni-channel retailer in the sports and outdoor industry. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds to join us in shaping this future. If you're passionate about contributing to an inclusive, people-first, and customer-centric organisation and are motivated by continuous growth and operational excellence we’d love to hear from you.
Role Overview
We are looking for a high-calibre IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) Developer to join our Global Finance Systems team during a period of significant transformation. Initially, you will be the technical lead for the global rollout of our flagship forecasting tool, ensuring a seamless deployment and providing expert long-term support and system evolution. However, this is not just a "TM1 role." As we modernize our finance architecture, you will have the unique opportunity to become a multi-platform expert. We will provide dedicated investment and cross-training to help you master the Oracle EPM Cloud suite, specifically focusing on Financial Consolidation and Close (FCC), Account Reconciliations (ARCS), and our upcoming Oracle Tax reporting module (TRCS).
This role is designed for a forward-thinking developer who wants to move beyond a single technology and become a comprehensive EPM Architect, bridging the gap between IBM’s powerful modelling capabilities and Oracle’s robust statutory reporting solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Initially, this role will be the technical lead for the rollout of our global forecasting tool, building the financial planning forecasting tool that provides bottom-up financial modelling of all the elements that drive our primary financial statements.
- Partnering with finance and business stakeholders, you will design, build and implement a robust driver‑based forecasting model within IBM Planning Analytics (TM1), aligned to business planning and forecasting requirements.
- Develop and maintain cubes, dimensions, hierarchies and rules to support scalable and auditable forecasting.
- Support testing, validation and reconciliation of forecast outputs during the project.
- Design user‑friendly Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) dashboards, input templates and reports to support planner adoption.
- Ensure integration of the forecasting tool with source systems where applicable and downstream reporting outputs.
- Support forecast governance, including security, control checks, auditability and documentation.
- Provide knowledge transfer, documentation and user support to ensure sustainable ownership post‑implementation.
- Identify opportunities to enhance forecasting accuracy, automation and usability through continuous improvement.
As we modernize our finance architecture, you will have the unique opportunity to become a multi-platform expert:
- Develop deep functional and technical expertise in Oracle Financial Consolidation and Close (FCC), Account Reconciliation Cloud Service (ARCS) and the Oracle Tax Reporting module (TRCS) through structured investment and cross‑training.
- Partner with Finance, Tax and Accounting stakeholders to understand business requirements and maintain applications to support period‑end close, consolidation, reconciliation and tax reporting processes, ensuring accuracy, control and compliance.
- Actively identify opportunities to improve efficiency, control and insight through process simplification and increased automation.
Skills & Experience Required
- Engine Mastery: Expert proficiency in writing and troubleshooting TurboIntegrator (TI) processes and complex Rules/Feeders.
- Modern Interface Design: Hands-on experience building user-centric dashboards in Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) and reports in Planning Analytics for Excel (PAfE).
- MDX Proficiency: Strong ability to write MDX for dynamic subsets and PAW-based reporting.
- Architecture & Design: Ability to design "Best Practice" dimensionality and multi-cube data flows (e.g., Opex, Capex, and Revenue models).
- Performance Tuning: Proven track record of optimizing model performance.
- Great Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to bridge the gap between technical system constraints and senior Finance leadership requirements.
- Analytical Mindset: The ability to translate complex business logic into lean, high-performance technical code.
- Financial Literacy: A solid grasp of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and actuals reconciliation.
- EPM Evolution: A strong desire and aptitude to cross-train into the Oracle EPM Suite (specifically FCC, ARCS, and Tax).
- Global Rollout Experience: Experience supporting or leading global software deployments, including managing UAT, user training, and post-go-live stabilization.
- Retail Insight (Preferred): Prior experience in a Retail environment is highly advantageous—specifically understanding store-level drivers, inventory cycles, and margin analysis.
What We Offer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a workplace where every colleague is valued, respected, and empowered. We celebrate the diversity of our teams and strive to ensure that all colleagues regardless of background, identity, or lived experience can thrive and contribute meaningfully. As a part of our successful and continually evolving company, you’ll be encouraged to embrace and uphold our strategic priorities: putting people first, at the forefront of digital innovation, staying deeply attuned to our customers, and pursuing operational excellence. We are always exploring new avenues for growth, and we welcome individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact every day. We know our employees work tirelessly to make JD Sports the success it is today and in turn, we offer them some amazing benefits:
- Staff Discount on qualifying purchases across Group retail stores and online
- Exclusive Colleague Bike Discount scheme
- Discounted Gym membership
- Personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work
- Access to Apprenticeships and accredited qualifications
IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) Developer in Bury employer: JD Sports
JD Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, fostering an inclusive environment where every employee is valued and empowered. With a commitment to continuous growth and operational excellence, employees benefit from extensive personal development opportunities, including cross-training in cutting-edge technologies like Oracle EPM Suite. Located in a dynamic retail sector, JD Group offers unique advantages such as staff discounts, discounted gym memberships, and access to apprenticeships, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) Developer in Bury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at JD Group on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) and Oracle EPM Suite. Show us you know your stuff and can talk about how you’d tackle real-world challenges in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings—create them! If you see a gap in the team or a project that could use your skills, pitch your ideas directly to the hiring manager. We love proactive candidates!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with financial modelling and stakeholder management, and let’s make magic happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) Developer in Bury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) Developer role. Highlight your experience with TurboIntegrator processes, MDX proficiency, and any relevant financial planning skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our Finance Systems team. Don’t forget to mention your eagerness to embrace new technologies like Oracle EPM Cloud.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, make sure to include them! Whether it's building user-centric dashboards or leading global software deployments, we love seeing real examples of your work that demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application directly and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at JD Sports
✨Know Your TM1 Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your TurboIntegrator processes and complex Rules/Feeders. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used these in past projects, as this will show your technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Dashboard Design Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) and how you've created user-friendly dashboards. Bring along examples or even a portfolio if possible, as visual aids can really help demonstrate your capabilities.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with financial planning and analysis processes, especially budgeting and forecasting. Being able to translate complex business logic into technical solutions will impress the interviewers and show that you can bridge the gap between finance and technology.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle real-world scenarios, such as managing UAT or post-go-live support. Think through your past experiences and be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully navigated challenges in global software deployments.
