FP&A Manager- Support Functions

At Keywords Studios, we are using our passion for games, technology and media to create a global services platform for the video games industry and beyond. Our aim is to become the “go to” provider of technical services across a variety of service lines. We enable leading content creators and publishers to leverage our expertise and capacity across the lifecycle of interactive content. In doing so, we empower our clients to remain lean and agile and to focus on creating the most engaging experiences.

Keywords Studios is trusted and relied upon by many of the world’s leading video game companies globally to work alongside them during concept, development and live operations by leveraging the breadth and depth of our industry leading service lines every step of the way. People that work at Keywords Studios are passionate, talented, committed and resourceful. Human talent is our most valuable resource and, as a business, we thrive on diversity, celebrate uniqueness and work together in teams, either physically in one of our 70+ studios across 25 countries or virtually.

The role is being offered on a hybrid working basis, based out of our London location (Holborn area). Keywords Studios Limited is the world’s largest video games services company.

The Role:

Working closely with the Head of Group FP&A and the Group Finance team, the FP&A Manager – Support Functions plays a pivotal role in maintaining the financial integrity of the cost centres for support functions, bridging the gap between consolidated group reporting and operational reality. This role is responsible for ensuring accuracy in financial numbers through insightful variance analysis and data-driven oversight to ensure costs are well controlled and within Budget. This position involves working directly and frequently with senior management, including regular interaction with the CFO and COO, to provide financial transparency and strategic support.

As a key member of the Group FP&A team, the role is responsible for the annual budget for support functions using strategic frameworks to align functional spend with long-term goals. The role also serves as a strategic partner to HQ leadership and IT Investment Committees, ensuring business resilience, covenant compliance, and the successful execution of digital transformation initiatives.

Financial Reporting & Analysis:

• Prepare monthly reporting for multiple cost centres and review consolidated group figures, ensuring strict alignment with budget/forecast expectations.
• Driving a modernisation roadmap to automate data flows and remap the Chart of Accounts (CoA) to eliminate manual reconciliations and enhance reporting granularity.

Variance Management:

• Proactively liaise with global teams to identify, analyse, and document reasons for budget and forecast variances, implementing course-corrective actions to ensure regional performance remains in line with budgetary expectations.

Board Reporting:

• Lead the design and preparation of comprehensive board slides and presentation decks covering both payroll and non-payroll expenditure.
• Responsible for translating complex financial datasets into clear, executive-level insights and high-quality commentary to support strategic decision-making at the Group level.

Transformation Reporting:

• Responsible for the end-to-end financial oversight of transformation workstreams.
• Facilitate monthly performance meetings with the COO and project owners, to provide detailed analysis on initiative progress, cost-to-achieve, and the delivery of targeted efficiencies against business cases.

Budgeting & Planning:

• Actively assist in the preparation and consolidation of annual operating budgets; work with cost centre owners to ensure inputs are accurate and aligned with strategic goals.

Forecasting Support:

• Assist in the monthly refinement of financial forecasts to reflect real-time business changes.
• Provide appropriate financial support to the CFO and wider teams as required, including provision of financial insights to support growth initiatives and capital allocation.

Headcount Reporting & Analysis:

• Review global headcount reporting for ~12k employees, providing detailed analysis on movements, including new hires, attrition, and transfers.
• Leading the transition from manual Excel-based tracking to Workday, currently Finance are undergoing a data alignment project to synchronise Finance records with HR system outputs to ensure staff cost budget integrity.

Intercompany Management:

• Oversee the monthly recharge process for centrally purchased items, ensuring accurate distribution across global subsidiary entities.
• Project work required to overhaul the recharging process with appropriate documentation.

Remote Team Management:

• Direct the financial activities of multidisciplinary and remote teams (Accounting, AP, AR), ensuring consistent performance and the meeting of all Group reporting deadlines.

Balance Sheet Integrity:

• Conduct rigorous reviews of balance sheet accounts, specifically prepayments and fixed assets, to ensure correct IFRS treatment.

Business Transformation:

• Partner with IT and Transformation teams on strategic projects to improve financial systems and processes, including establishing a PO system / invoice matching process.

Ad-hoc Projects:

• Lead and support various ad-hoc financial projects and strategic initiatives as required by the CFO and senior leadership, ranging from M&A support to cost-optimisation reviews.

Job Requirements:

• Qualified Accountant: ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification is required, with experience working in group finance teams, preferably within multinational organisations.
• Process Expertise: Track record of managing financial reporting, planning, and forecasting processes with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Revenue Complexity: Experience in organizations with high levels of contract-driven revenue requiring careful attention to revenue forecasting and contract margins.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with Finance Leaders and Executives, providing actionable insights and challenging assumptions.
• Data Literacy: High degree of data literacy and familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) for analysing complex data sets to identify trends and opportunities.
• Agility: Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a complex multinational environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Benefits:

• Holiday - 25 days per annum + UK Bank Holidays
• BUPA Medical and Dental coverage
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Enhanced Employer Pension Contributions
• Cycle Scheme
• Tech Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme

The Financial Planning & Analysis Manager – Support Functions opportunity is being offered on a hybrid working basis at our London location. Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavour to create a workplace which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.

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