Interim Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in Glasgow

Overview

Why choose us? Choosing to work for SMS means choosing to make a difference. We are changing how businesses and consumers use energy for the better, helping achieve a greener, sustainable, and more affordable energy system for everyone. Through our range of innovative energy solutions, we are delivering the future of smart energy – working closely with private and public sector partners we are playing a critical role in transforming and decarbonising the UK economy by 2050.

What’s in it for you?

• 25 personal holiday days per year (with additional 8 public holidays) increasing to 30 personal days after 5 years of service (includes options to buy and sell)
• Hybrid working options
• Automatic enrolment into the Employee Participation Plan
• Enhanced Maternity leave. Paternity and Adoption leave
• 24/7 free and confidential employee assistance service
• Medicash health plan offers a wide variety of benefits from cashback on everyday healthcare treatments like optical, dental and physio treatments; discounted gym memberships and free 24/7 online GP
• Life Insurance (4 x annual salary)
• Pension matching scheme (up to 5% of salary)
• Development opportunities through internal and external accredited courses, secondments and study support

Role and responsibilities

Reporting directly to the CFO, as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, you will be expected to develop and lead the FP&A practices across the Group, along with the management of the Group Payroll team. You will collaborate with stakeholders from across the Group and influence budgeting, planning and strategy processes. You will own all forecasting and budgeting, including timetable management, presenting to executive management, preparing supporting Board papers, and collaborating with executive management to set appropriate targets and monitor progress.

You will review and prepare ad-hoc financial and non-financial analysis to evaluate investment opportunities or business cases. You will work with the wider finance team to ensure consistent messaging and reporting across the Group. You will support M&A and other strategic opportunities and the development of business cases. This role is offered on a 9-12 month fixed-term contract, with working hours of 40 hours per week, 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee annual budgeting processes, including timing, communications and reporting.
• Set and manage timetables for budget production and regular reforecasts for the Group; ensure consistency with strategic planning.
• Drive accountability through functional budgets and targets; support divisional teams to reflect changes in reforecasts and communicate to executive management.
• Reforecast the business as required; analyze financial and non-financial information to identify patterns, trends and opportunities for growth or cost reduction.
• Develop plans for financial growth and oversee the Group’s long-term Corporate Model.
• Provide business partnering support to the Executive and senior leadership teams while building relationships across the business.
• Review and manage cash and cash forecasts; assist in developing liquidity risk strategies.
• Maintain cash flow forecasting and propose improvements while ensuring tight cash controls.
• Support financial modelling and provide analysis and guidance on activities, plans, targets and drivers.
• Develop relationships to enhance the finance department’s profile.
• Lead ad hoc analysis and support finance projects as required.
• Assess financial risk of operations, investments and innovations; lead change and continuous improvement in the finance teams.
• Manage the Group Payroll teams.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• CA / ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualification; significant post-qualification experience (or equivalent).
• Extensive post-qualification experience in a Senior Finance role within a large, multi-site organisation.
• Experience in a listed business.
• Strong financial modelling skills including advanced Excel and knowledge of financial reporting systems (preferably D365).
• Strong accounting skills and understanding of finance in a group setting; plc experience preferred.
• Excellent communication skills; able to articulate financial matters to a non-financial audience.
• Proven ability to drive results and deliver improvements to top and bottom line.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to operate in rapidly changing environments; well-organised, proactive and deadline-driven.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to provide insightful analyses of complex financial data.
• Strong presentation skills; proficient with PowerPoint or similar tools for high-quality reports.
• Experience solving problems and implementing process improvements, especially in internal reporting.