At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning, forecasting, and performance analysis to drive financial insights.
- Company: Join a global team making a real impact in the energy sector.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working and opportunities for global exploration.
- Why this job: Be a trusted finance partner and enhance business outcomes with your insights.
- Qualifications: Degree educated with experience in dashboard creation and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
As a Planning Analyst within the FP&A function, you will be responsible for leading the end-to-end planning, forecasting, reporting, and performance analysis of the corporate operating expense (OpEx) cost base. Working closely with business leaders and cost centre owners, you will provide financial insight and challenge to support effective decision-making, ensuring budgets and forecasts are robust, accurate, and aligned to strategic objectives. Through detailed analysis, management reporting, and performance monitoring, you will help drive cost transparency, financial discipline, and improved business outcomes.
In addition to core planning responsibilities, you will act as a trusted Finance Business Partner to corporate functions and senior stakeholders, supporting them in understanding cost drivers, managing expenditure, and identifying risks and opportunities. Leveraging tools such as Excel, Power Query, Power BI, and automation solutions, you will develop insightful dashboards and reporting that enhance visibility, improve efficiency, and enable proactive management of financial performance across the organisation.
What skills/experience do I need to be successful?
- Degree educated or equivalent relevant experience, with progress towards or interest in studying a professional accounting qualification (ACA / ACCA / CIMA);
- Experience delivering and owning dashboard creation, ideally using Power BI, with the ability to turn complex or messy data into clear, reliable and presentation-ready outputs;
- Experience building effective relationships with stakeholders and providing clear financial support, insight and challenge;
- Good understanding of budgeting, forecasting and management reporting;
- Good understanding of OpEx, cost drivers and variance analysis.
What sets us apart?
- Global Impact: With offices in the UK, US, and Australia, and plans for further expansion, you'll be part of a dynamic, globally-minded team, with opportunities to explore new markets and make a difference on a global scale.
- Flexible Working: Embrace the freedom to work from anywhere in the world for up to 30 days a year. We prioritize work-life balance, recognizing that your well-being matters.
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate our diverse culture and value individuals irrespective of background, disability, religion, gender identity, sexuality, or ethnicity. Join a team where diversity is not just welcomed but celebrated as a key driver of growth and innovation.
What does hybrid working mean to us?
Hybrid working typically means 2 days in the office location listed on this advert and 3 days working at home each week. Some occasional travel to our other offices may be required.
What happens next?
Once we receive your application, it will be reviewed by a human – no bots here! The average process typically takes around 2-3 weeks, with 2 stages of video interviews using Teams. However, this can vary depending on the role. We may invite you for a face-to-face meeting or require only 1 video interview. If you have any questions or need support, our Recruitment Team is here to assist you.
Ready to join us on our journey to digitise, decarbonise, and localize the future of energy? Apply now.
We're committed to making the application process easy and comfortable. Let us know how we can help you with any reasonable adjustments that can be tailored to your needs.
Planning Analyst in London employer: SmartestEnergy
As a Planning Analyst at our company, you will thrive in a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises your professional growth and well-being. With flexible working arrangements, including the option to work remotely for up to 30 days a year, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we empower our employees to make a global impact while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Join us to leverage your financial expertise in a dynamic environment where your insights drive meaningful business outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Analyst in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Planning Analyst role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your financial analysis skills and be ready to discuss how you've used tools like Power BI and Excel in past roles. Show us you can turn complex data into clear insights!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a job opening that excites you, don’t hesitate to apply through our website. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with budgeting and forecasting, as well as your ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind us of your enthusiasm and fit for the Planning Analyst position.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Analyst in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Planning Analyst role. Highlight your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and any tools like Power BI that you've used. 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 passionate about the role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your understanding of OpEx and your ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, don’t forget to highlight specific examples where you've turned complex data into clear insights. We love seeing how you've used your analytical skills to drive decision-making in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at SmartestEnergy
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Planning Analyst, you'll be dealing with financial data all the time. Brush up on your budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles, and prepare to share specific examples of how your insights have influenced decision-making.
✨Master the Tools
Familiarise yourself with Excel, Power Query, and Power BI before the interview. If you can, create a sample dashboard or report to showcase your skills. This will not only demonstrate your technical abilities but also your proactive approach to problem-solving.
✨Build Relationships
Since you'll be working closely with stakeholders, think about how you've built effective relationships in previous roles. Prepare to share examples of how you've provided financial insight and challenged assumptions to support business leaders. This shows you're not just a number cruncher but a trusted partner.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Research the company’s strategic objectives and how the FP&A function contributes to them. Be prepared to discuss how your role as a Planning Analyst can drive cost transparency and improve business outcomes. This shows that you’re aligned with their goals and ready to make an impact.
