At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance activities, improve business performance, and drive profitable growth.
- Company: Join a trusted news agency with over 150 years of excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, generous holiday, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Modern workplace in Leeds with great career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with strong commercial finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
The PA is a beacon of trust for news, content and data.
At the heart of our group is the Press Association, the UK and Ireland's national news agency, trusted for its impartiality, accuracy and speed for more than 150 years We bring these standards to everything we do, from news and sports data to content creation and communications.
We're combining AI and emerging technology with the expertise, judgement and originality of our people; helping us work smarter, explore new ideas and create greater value for our customers.
Now, we're beginning an exciting new chapter at West Village in Leeds city centre and looking for talented people to help shape what comes next.
The opportunity.
We're looking for an experienced, commercially focused finance leader to lead our Commercial Finance team on a 15-month fixed-term contract to cover parental leave.
Finance at The PA has undergone a significant transformation, and this is much more than a caretaker role.
You'll strengthen our approach to proactive FP&A and trusted business partnering, while providing insight that improves business performance.
A planned handover with the current role holder will give you valuable context, helping you make an early impact and leave a lasting legacy.
Regular UK travel is required, including travel to London around once or twice a month.
What you'll do.
- Lead the Group's FP&A activity, coordinating the annual budget and quarterly forecasting processes and ensuring they are delivered to a high standard.
- Use monthly financial reporting and analysis to identify trends, risks and opportunities, translating these into clear recommendations and actions.
- Strengthen Commercial Finance as a proactive, solutions-focused business partner to senior leaders across The PA.
- Partner with the CFO, Chief Revenue Officer, Executive Team and divisional MDs to improve commercial decision-making and business performance.
- Drive profitable growth through stronger pricing, contract review, margin improvement, cost optimisation and working-capital management.
- Improve product and client profitability reporting, sales-pipeline analysis and the evaluation of investment opportunities.
- Develop the use of SAP Analytics Cloud for planning, analysis and commercially focused insight.
- Lead and develop a geographically dispersed team while coordinating Group-wide activity to demanding timetables.
What you'll bring.
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification, with substantial senior-level commercial finance and FP&A experience.
- A track record of building or transforming teams and moving finance towards a more commercial, business-partnering model.
- Strong commercial judgement and credibility to challenge, influence and build trusted relationships at Executive and MD level.
- Experience working across a complex, multi-entity organisation.
- Excellent organisation, analysis and attention to detail, with a reputation for high-quality Board and leadership reporting.
- Experience of SAP S/4HANA and SAC Planning would be a real advantage. Media, publishing, data, digital or adjacent sector experience is welcome, but not essential.
What we offer
- Competitive salary plus a 20% completion bonus.
- 25 days' holiday plus public holidays, with a holiday purchase scheme.
- A yearly Wellbeing Day and eight hours of paid volunteering time.
- Pension, life assurance (4x salary), Wellhub access, learning opportunities
- A modern workplace at West Village in the heart of Leeds city centre, just a seven-minute walk from Leeds station.
- Rooftop terraces, collaborative spaces, a wellness studio, showers and extensive cycle storage.
- Exclusive discounts across Leeds, including offers on food and drink, fitness, entertainment and accommodation.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Read more employer: PA Media Group
PA Media Group is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Glasgow, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides ample opportunities for professional development and a competitive benefits package, including hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. Joining PA Media Group means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to driving impactful marketing strategies in the PR & Marketing Services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Read more
✨Get Involved in Financial Networks
Join local financial associations or forums where you can connect with professionals in financial-controlling. Networking events often lead to temporary positions, as companies look for quick hires when they need extra hands.
✨Showcase Your Skills on Temporary Job Boards
Focus on platforms that specifically cater to temporary roles in finance. Sites like Reed or Totaljobs often list short-term gigs that are perfect for getting your foot in the door, and you can apply directly through our website for roles at PA Media Group.
✨Leverage Your Uni's Career Services
If you're still in university, tap into your career services for internship or temporary job placements. They often have insider info on companies like PA Media Group looking for temporary financial support, and they might help you polish your pitch.
✨Flexible Availability is Key
For temporary positions in financial-controlling, your availability can make a huge difference. Highlight your willingness to start immediately or work irregular hours when speaking to employers. This flexibility can land you that sought-after role!
We think you need these skills to ace Read more
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Aces:In the financial controlling game, grades and relevant certifications can make a significant difference. Be sure to highlight your academic achievements, like finance-related coursework and any professional certifications you’ve got on your CV that show you’re clued up in this area. It’s all about demonstrating that you’re not just good at numbers but also know your stuff!
Quantify Your Achievements:When applying for a temporary role in financial controlling, make sure your CV reflects any previous experience with real, measurable outcomes. Use numbers to showcase your past successes, like percentage improvements in budgeting or cost savings you’ve achieved in previous roles. This not only gives us insights into your capabilities but also tells us you're results-driven.
Personalise Your Application:We love seeing applicants who take the time to tailor their applications! In your cover letter, mention why you’re particularly interested in the temporary role with PA Media Group and how your specific skills and experiences align with the job. Show us that you see this role as an opportunity to contribute, even if it's for a short stint!
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to highlight your availability in your application. We’re interested in knowing how soon you can start and if you’re open to working flexible hours. This shows us your eagerness to jump right in and adapt to the dynamic needs of our team at PA Media Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at PA Media Group
✨Get Hands-On with Financial Tools
Being in financial controlling means you’ll likely be working with various software like Excel, Power BI, or even SAP. Make sure you brush up on these tools and prepare to discuss your experience using them. Being able to reference specific projects or analyses where you employed these programs will definitely give you an edge.
✨Prepare for Technical Financial Questions
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to analyse financial statements or suggest budgetary strategies during the interview. Practising common financial concepts like variance analysis or cost control measures will not only boost your confidence but also prove your suitability for the role.
✨Show Your Flexibility and Adaptability
As this is a temporary position, the interviewers will want to see that you can hit the ground running. Be sure to highlight any previous short-term roles or projects where you successfully adapted to new environments quickly – this will showcase your readiness to tackle challenges head-on.
✨Highlight Your Commitment to Precision
In financial controlling, attention to detail is absolutely crucial. Be ready to provide examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to spot discrepancies and ensure accuracy in financial reporting. Your precision could be the factor that sets you apart in a temporary role like this one!
