At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis, driving performance improvement and strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join Gray Dawes Travel, a global leader in travel management with a people-focused culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive perks like travel discounts, life cover, and volunteering days.
- Other info: Be part of a multi-award winning team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while collaborating with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in FP&A and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
Gray Dawes Travel is a multi-award winning, global travel management company with offices in the United Kingdom, Australia, The Netherlands and the United States. Established in 1865, we’re constantly growing by using technology and our passion for what we do to keep evolving. With a laser focus on offering our clients a high touch, high tech, high content experience, at Gray Dawes we’re not just there to deliver the best corporate travel fares, the most innovative itineraries, the slickest online tools or the most experienced consultants. We’re there as an extension of our clients’ own organisations – their out-of-house travel department. We achieve this because of the depths we go to in understanding our clients, their culture, their brand values and business objectives. And we always deliver… better!
If this all sounds like something you want to be a part of then we’d like to hear from you. We offer a fantastic work environment, with all the benefits and perks you’d expect from a forward-thinking and people-focused organisation. And we’re always on the lookout for skilled and motivated individuals to become part of the Gray Dawes family. Our people are at the heart of our business and we’re seeking an experienced Financial Planning & Analysis Manager who will take responsibility for leading the planning, forecasting, performance reporting and commercial insight agenda for Gray Dawes.
Reporting to the CFO, this role will provide clear financial analysis that supports strategic decision-making, well-constructed forecast and budget disciplines, drives performance improvement and enables sustainable growth across multiple markets, customers and service lines. The postholder will support the annual budgeting process, rolling forecasts, long-range planning, management information and scenario modelling, while partnering closely with senior leaders across finance, sales, operations, technology and commercial teams.
The role requires strong analytical capability, commercial judgement and the ability to translate complex financial data into practical recommendations for action.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the company’s financial planning and analysis function, ensuring robust processes, controls and high-quality outputs.
- Produce timely and insightful management information, dashboards and board-level reporting, including commentary on performance, risks and opportunities.
- Provide clear analysis of revenue, margin, operating costs, productivity and profitability across customers, markets, products and service lines.
- Partner with the CFO and senior leadership team to support strategic decision-making, resource allocation and prioritisation.
- Support commercial teams with customer profitability analysis, pricing decisions, contract evaluations and business case development.
- Work closely with operational leaders to understand drivers of performance and identify actions to improve efficiency, service delivery and financial outcomes.
- Lead cash flow forecasting and support working capital planning in partnership with the wider finance team.
- Drive consistency, automation and continuous improvement in planning, reporting and analytical processes.
- Provide analysis and insight on market trends, travel demand patterns, supplier dynamics and external risks that may affect business performance.
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across international locations and functions, acting as a trusted finance business partner.
- Lead and develop the FP&A function, creating a high-performance, collaborative and commercially focused culture.
- Support corporate activity such as transformation programmes, system implementations, acquisitions or new market opportunities where required.
Qualifications
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience.
- Proven experience in a senior FP&A, commercial finance or business partnering leadership role.
- Strong track record of leading budgeting, forecasting, reporting and financial modelling in a complex, fast-paced organisation.
- Experience of supporting senior executives with commercially focused analysis and strategic insight.
- Experience within travel, travel management, business services, hospitality, aviation or another multi-site, international, customer-led environment is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of revenue drivers, gross margin, operating cost structures and performance metrics in a service-based business.
- Experience working across global or multi-country operations, with an appreciation of regional market dynamics and complexity.
- Experience of developing management information packs, board reporting and performance dashboards.
- Demonstrable experience of improving systems, processes and data quality within finance and reporting environments.
- Advanced capability in Excel and strong experience with financial planning, reporting and business intelligence tools.
What We Can Offer
- Cash plan scheme (after probationary period has been completed)
- Group Life Cover (after probationary period has been completed)
- EAP Scheme
- Pension Scheme
- Volunteering days
- Travel Discounts
- Shopping discounts
- Christmas Savings Scheme
- Season Ticket Loans
Financial Planning & Analysis Manager (Global) employer: Occupop
Gray Dawes Travel is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in the heart of London. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide numerous benefits including a cash plan scheme, group life cover, and travel discounts, all while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Join us to be part of a multi-award winning team that values your contributions and empowers you to drive meaningful change in the travel management industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Planning & Analysis Manager (Global)
✨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 Occupop. 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 Financial Planning & Analysis Manager (Global)
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 Occupop.
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 Occupop'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 Occupop
✨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 Occupop.
✨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 Occupop 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 Occupop 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.
