At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning for R&D, shaping investment decisions and driving growth.
- Company: Fast-growing software business backed by a leading private equity investor.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, tailored training, private healthcare, and wellness days.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on R&D investments and work closely with executive leadership.
- Qualifications: Degree in Finance or related field, with significant experience in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
Full Time, Permanent Hybrid, 2 days a week in Belfast office
Reports into the Strategic Finance leadership team
PE-backed, high-growth software business
A fast-growing software business whose platform helps major organisations across financial services, technology and complex industrial sectors turn data into faster, more accurate decisions. Backed by a leading private equity investor, the business is pursuing growth both organically and through acquisition, with an established international footprint.
This is an opportunity to join an established Strategic Finance team and sit at the centre of the business's R&D organisation, partnering directly with engineering and product leadership. You'll lead financial planning and strategic decision support for the global R&D function, supporting one of the business's most significant areas of investment. You'll own the budget and headcount process for R&D, building business cases, conducting market analyses and leading investment recommendations that shape decisions. You'll work closely with go-to-market and product investment teams, and partner with senior Strategic Finance and CFO leadership, alongside regular exposure to the broader executive team including the CEO.
Key Responsibilities
- Independently lead ad hoc strategic finance projects with minimal oversight, including building full business cases for product lines and associated R&D investment
- Support evaluation of acquisition and partnership opportunities alongside corporate development
- Partner with product and engineering leaders to evaluate ROI of major R&D investments and prioritise the roadmap accordingly
- Assess the economics and ROI of AI/LLM usage across engineering use cases, establishing appropriate cost and investment guardrails
- Build links between go-to-market and product investment, ensuring R&D spend targets drive revenue growth, and act as trusted financial advisor to engineering and product leadership, translating technical roadmaps into financial plans
- Review and approve headcount and non-headcount requisitions for the R&D organisation, supporting org design trade-offs and spend prioritisation with a long-term, value-creation lens rather than a purely annual-budget mindset
- Lead the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts for R&D, owning monthly variance analysis against budget and forecast and working with leaders to course-correct
- Prepare R&D financial and strategic updates and detailed analysis for executive leadership, with a level of polish suitable for board and investor audiences
The Person
- A degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a related field
- Professional qualification, ACA/ACCA/CIMA
- Significant experience in Transaction Services, Financial Due Diligence or Deal Advisory, ideally within a Big 4 environment
- Well suited to a high-performing Transaction Services professional looking to move from advising on businesses to operating and shaping one
- Prior exposure to the software sector strongly preferred, happy for this to have been gained in a practice environment
- Fluency with core software and SaaS metrics
- Able to build complex finance models from scratch
- Applicants must be based in Northern Ireland and comfortable with a hybrid working pattern
Why Apply
- High impact role from day one, you will directly shape R&D investment priorities and growth decisions
- Executive exposure, working closely with Strategic Finance and CFO leadership, the Chief Product & Engineering Officer, and regular visibility to the CEO
- A high-growth platform pursuing both organic and acquisitive growth
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Individually tailored training and skills development
- Private healthcare and Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity package
- Wellness days and volunteer days
For more information on this role, or any other Accountancy and Finance position, please contact Gemma Murphy.
Strategic FP&A Lead in Belfast employer: Ocho
Join a forward-thinking UK technology company that is at the forefront of AI innovation, where you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive and fast-paced environment. With a strong emphasis on mentorship from senior engineers, flexible working patterns, and the chance to own your projects early on, this role offers a unique pathway for professional growth in AI engineering. The company's commitment to an AI-first culture ensures that you will be working with cutting-edge tools and technologies, making a real impact in complex customer environments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic FP&A Lead in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Ocho. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Ocho.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Ocho. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic FP&A Lead in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Ocho and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Ocho how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocho
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Ocho.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Ocho's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
