At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape financial strategy and drive decision-making for a rapidly growing fintech.
- Company: Join OakNorth, the bank for ambitious businesses in the UK and US.
- Benefits: Equity, 25 days holiday, personalised benefits, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a commitment to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a dynamic environment with significant growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in finance, strong relationship-building, and commercial focus.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 € per year.
OakNorth is the bank for the UK’s most ambitious businesses. Since 2015, we’ve lent over $21bn across the UK and US, helping businesses grow, create jobs and build for the future — while delivering strong outcomes for our customers and savers. We specialise in backing businesses that don’t fit neatly into traditional banking models, combining expert human judgement with technology to deliver bespoke lending solutions.
OakNorth Bank is seeking an exceptional Head of Finance, Planning & Analysis to play a pivotal role in shaping the bank’s financial strategy and driving high-impact decision-making across the business. In this influential role, you will partner closely with the CEO, CFO, European Leadership Team (ELT), and senior business leaders to steer performance, unlock commercial opportunities, and support OakNorth’s next phase of growth and diversification. This role will lead the financial strategy, performance management, and integration of this expansion into Group planning and reporting.
You will operate at the intersection of strategy and execution — providing strategic insight to leadership while building and refining the analytical frameworks that power smarter, faster, and more informed decisions. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the financial narrative of one of the UK’s most successful and ambitious fintechs as it scales across new products, geographies, and distribution channels.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Partner with the Group CEO, CFO, ELT and business leads to deliver strategic insights and performance analysis, including tracking, reporting, and ad hoc requests.
- Lead strategic projects, evaluating new business opportunities and partnerships to ensure strong commercial viability.
- Build and optimise financial planning frameworks, embedding automation, scalability, and predictive insight into core reporting and forecasting processes.
- Drive cost efficiency and capital productivity, ensuring resources are optimally allocated to maximise growth and return on investment.
- Create and contribute to ELT and Board materials that shape strategic priorities and inform key decisions.
- Partnering with the Chief Lending Officer and Origination team to drive commercial pricing strategy, set pricing targets, enhance profitability, and drive sustainable returns.
- Collaborate with Corporate Development, contributing to investor relations, financial analysis for stakeholders, and the modelling of new growth opportunities.
- Inspire and develop talent as a key member of the Finance leadership team, coaching high-performing individuals and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
- Strengthen financial control and governance, maintaining robust risk management frameworks aligned with OakNorth’s growth ambitions.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven ability to build strong relationships with senior leadership, demonstrating both credibility and conviction.
- Commercially focused and entrepreneurial; a proactive business partner.
- Highly efficient in Finance operations, with experience establishing scalable processes and tools.
- Track record of leading large-scale projects through collaboration, navigating ambiguity to deliver results.
- Deep experience in financial modelling for new business areas – ideally within banking, fintech, or tech.
- Understanding of regulated environments, with the ability to operate effectively within them.
- Experience in high-intensity, customer-focused start-up or growth-stage environments.
- Adaptable, agile, and resilient to change; comfortable working at pace.
- Proactive, independent, and results driven.
- Strong grasp of B2B SaaS and digital business models, customer experience, and technological innovation.
- Minimum 10+ years’ experience (flexible depending on fit and scope).
Benefits & Perks
- Equity. We want people to have a stake in the business so that all our interests are aligned.
- 25 days holiday.
- Personalized benefits – opt-in to what matters to you.
- Subsidised Private Medical Insurance with Bupa.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
- Wellbeing and social events.
- In-house Barista Bar in London office.
- Support causes that matter to you – Volunteering time off.
- Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to work, nursery, gym, electric car scheme).
Head of Finance (Planning & Analysis) in London employer: OakNorth
OakNorth is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets ambition. As a Head of Finance, Planning & Analysis, you will play a crucial role in shaping the financial strategy of a rapidly expanding fintech, with opportunities for personal and professional growth alongside a supportive leadership team. With benefits like equity stakes, personalised perks, and a vibrant office culture, OakNorth fosters a collaborative atmosphere that empowers employees to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the banking sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance (Planning & Analysis) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and fintech sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or leaders from OakNorth. A personal introduction can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by diving deep into OakNorth’s mission and values. Understand their unique approach to banking and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the OakNorth team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance (Planning & Analysis) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Finance. Highlight your experience in financial modelling and strategic insights, as these are key for us at OakNorth. We want to see how your background aligns with our ambitious goals!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about joining OakNorth and how you can contribute to our growth. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a potential leader in our finance team, we want to see examples of how you've inspired and developed talent in previous roles. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships with senior leadership and drive results.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. This way, you can ensure all your documents are submitted correctly and you’ll be kept in the loop about your application status. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at OakNorth
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, 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 strategic decisions in the past. This shows you can speak the language of finance fluently.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Insight
Prepare examples of how you've partnered with senior leadership to shape financial strategies. Be ready to discuss specific projects where your insights led to significant business outcomes. This will highlight your ability to operate at the intersection of strategy and execution.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
Given OakNorth's rapid expansion, it's crucial to show that you're adaptable and resilient. Share experiences where you've successfully navigated change or ambiguity in high-intensity environments. This will illustrate your capability to thrive in a dynamic setting.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your ability to build strong relationships with senior leaders. Prepare to discuss how you've fostered collaboration across teams to achieve common goals. This is key for a role that requires partnering closely with the CEO, CFO, and other leaders.
