At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning, reporting, and performance analysis in a dynamic, growing business.
- Company: Fast-growing UK business with a strong commitment to internal talent development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, profit share bonus, hybrid work, and extensive health benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and continuous improvement in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Join a high-impact role influencing finance and strategy in a thriving environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 7+ years of finance experience and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
£95,000 base salary + 15% Target Profit Share Bonus + £7.8k Car Allowance or Company Car. Hybrid – office Tuesday–Thursday, WFH Monday & Friday. Chippenham.
I am exclusively partnering with a fast-growing UK business experiencing record revenue growth and significant contract wins, to recruit a Head of Financial Planning & Reporting into a key senior finance leadership role. This opportunity has arisen due to internal progression, with the current FP&A Lead moving into a Finance Director position — a strong reflection of the company’s commitment to developing and promoting talent from within.
The Role
This is a high-impact, commercially focused role, leading the FP&A function and partnering closely with senior leadership to drive performance, insight and strategic decision-making. You will take ownership of planning, forecasting, financial reporting and performance analysis across the business, combining strategic influence with hands‑on delivery. The role will suit someone who enjoys working in a growing, evolving organisation where finance plays a central role in shaping business performance.
Why Join?
- Proven progression — this role exists due to internal promotion to Finance Director
- Join a high-growth business with strong commercial momentum and further growth planned
- Opportunity to shape and develop the FP&A function, improving reporting, forecasting and insight
- Strong staff tenure and collaborative culture — a business where people build long-term careers
- Senior role with genuine influence across finance, operations and commercial decision-making
- Opportunity to support wider transformation, process improvement and systems development
Key Responsibilities
- Lead monthly financial reporting, delivering clear variance analysis and actionable insight
- Own and develop robust forecasting models, providing forward‑looking visibility of business performance
- Deliver high‑quality financial and operational reporting to support decision‑making across the organisation
- Partner with senior stakeholders to challenge assumptions, influence strategy and drive improved performance
- Drive continuous improvement across FP&A processes, systems and reporting capability
- Lead, develop and challenge a high‑performing finance team
Technical Responsibilities
- Own all local and Group reporting, including forecast cycles and associated submissions
- Deliver detailed return on assets analysis, alongside performance insight across key business drivers
- Oversee headcount, FTE and payroll analysis, ensuring robust challenge and alignment to budget and forecast
- Ensure balance sheet integrity, including oversight of reconciliations and resolution of key issues
- Lead the annual audit process, acting as the primary contact for external auditors and ensuring statutory compliance
- Support improvements to reporting systems, data quality and financial modelling capability
Experience & Skills
- Qualified accountant — ACA, ACCA or CIMA
- 7+ years’ progressive finance experience, ideally within a fast‑paced, commercially driven environment
- Strong FP&A background with advanced financial modelling capability, not just reporting
- Proven leadership experience, with a track record of developing and challenging high‑performing teams
- Demonstrable experience improving finance processes, systems and reporting frameworks
- Advanced Excel skills, including building and evolving complex models
- Strong Power BI experience
- Experience working in a scaling, changing or transformational business would be highly advantageous
Package & Benefits
- Base salary circa £95,000
- Target profit share bonus of 15%
- Car allowance of £650 per month or company car
- Pension: 4% / 4% or 5% / 5% contribution options
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + a floating day
- Hybrid working — office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with the opportunity to work from home on Mondays and Fridays
- 6 additional flex days, which can be used to work from home
- Private healthcare and health cash plan, including dental, optical and diagnostics
- Death in service — 4x salary
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing app with activity rewards
- Onsite massage and yoga
- Free breakdown cover, service‑related
- Retail, leisure and vehicle servicing discounts
- Ongoing support for further education and career development
Head of Financial Planning & Reporting in Chippenham employer: Nicola York Recruitment
Join a dynamic and fast-growing UK business in Chippenham as the Head of Financial Planning & Reporting, where your career can flourish with proven progression opportunities and a strong commitment to internal talent development. Enjoy a collaborative work culture that values long-term careers, alongside competitive benefits including a generous salary, hybrid working model, and comprehensive health plans. This role not only offers you the chance to influence key financial decisions but also to lead a high-performing team in a company that prioritises employee growth and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Planning & Reporting in Chippenham
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Nicola York Recruitment. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Planning & Reporting in Chippenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Nicola York Recruitment.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Nicola York Recruitment's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nicola York Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Nicola York Recruitment.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Nicola York Recruitment will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Nicola York Recruitment employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
