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- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis, driving performance and strategic decision-making.
- Company: Globally recognised Financial Services business with a dynamic environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, potential for permanent role, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance in a leading company while making impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with significant FP&A experience in a PE-backed environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to influence at executive levels.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Pear Talent - Finance Recruitment is representing a globally recognisable Financial Services business looking for an interim Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) on a 12-month contract.
Base pay range: This range is provided by Pear Talent - Finance Recruitment. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Role details:
- Position: Interim Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), 12-month FTC
- Essential experience: PE-backed Financial Services (Insurance advisory) + FP&A leadership
- Contract: 12 months FTC (potential for permanent)
- Location: City of London (2 days WFH)
You will lead core FP&A deliverables, commercial insight and business performance management. You will also play a critical role in reshaping the function, improving current processes and systems, and building a best-in-class framework that supports strategic decision-making and delivers actionable insights.
Key accountabilities:
- You’ll regularly interact with the CFO/Exec stakeholders to lead the plan in line with the growth strategy and drive performance.
- You’ll lead the analysis of financial performance, plans and forecasts, as well as cash and capital usage and potential investment proposals.
- Deliver high-quality business insight to support and influence strategic decision making; proactively develop new MI and processes to improve the quality, speed and usefulness of metrics and forecasts.
- Lead the business target setting for the annual planning process, ensuring divisional plans align to a coherent Group strategic plan and reflect both Group and division strategy.
- Critically review divisional plans; bring strategic issues to the attention of the Exec and assist in value-adding solutions.
- Understand the competitor and market environment and the impact on internal strategies, plans and targets.
- Regularly meet with CFO/Exec stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the business, strategy and performance.
- Proactively review and challenge reported performance against plans, preparing insightful briefings for senior management and the Board.
- Support leadership to anticipate performance challenges and identify opportunities to enhance performance.
Required experience:
- The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CPA) with significant post-qualification FP&A experience in a senior role within a PE-backed Financial Services (Insurance advisory) company.
- Ability to lead commercial and strategic analysis and contribute to improving underlying performance.
- Experience driving Finance change and transformation activities.
- Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to challenge and influence at all levels, including an Exec level.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the markets in which the business operates, their products, strategies and risks, and understanding of the drivers of business performance.
If this isn’t for you but you know someone who might be interested, confidentially refer them to Pear Talent. Referral scheme up to £1,000.
Job function: Accounting/Auditing, Finance, and Strategy/Planning
Industries: Financial Services, Insurance, and Accounting
Head of Financial Planning Analysis in City of London employer: Pear Talent - Finance Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Pear Talent - Finance Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Planning Analysis in City of London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and its financial strategies. We recommend practising common FP&A interview questions and having examples ready that showcase your leadership skills and commercial insight. Confidence is key, so show them you’re the right fit!
✨Follow Up
After your interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you email! It’s a great way to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. We believe this small gesture can make a big difference in keeping you top of mind for the hiring team.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply for roles directly through our website. It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always updating our listings, so keep an eye out for new opportunities that match your skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Planning Analysis in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head of FP&A. Highlight your experience in PE-backed Financial Services and any leadership roles you've held in FP&A. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this interim role. Share specific examples of how you've driven finance change and transformation in previous positions. Let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics and outcomes to demonstrate how you've influenced strategic decision-making and improved business performance. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pear Talent - Finance Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a candidate for the Head of FP&A role, you need to be on top of your financial metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators relevant to the financial services sector, especially in insurance advisory. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive strategic decisions in your previous roles.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current market trends and challenges in the financial services industry. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your proactive approach to understanding the competitive environment and its impact on business strategies.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves regular interaction with CFOs and executive stakeholders, prepare to discuss your experience in stakeholder management. Think of examples where you've influenced decision-making or led discussions that resulted in positive outcomes for the business.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading FP&A teams and driving finance transformation initiatives. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've reshaped processes or systems to improve performance and deliver actionable insights, as this is crucial for the role.
