Head of Financial Planning in Liverpool

About us. We are The Very Group and we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.

The opportunity. A need has arisen for a Head of Financial Planning to join the Finance team to drive a co-ordinated approach across all group financial planning and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with and delivery of the strategic goals of The Very Group. This role will address 3 core objectives:

• Implement a cross functional approach to the groups’ financial planning processes, bringing together P&L and cash planning, aligned with Reporting processes and metrics, and having ‘one planning voice’ with finance and business stakeholders.
• Challenge and drive actions across Finance and the wider business senior leadership team to improve business performance and ensure The Very Group delivers its short, medium and long term goals.
• Drive innovation and efficiency through the FP&A function utilising available tools to productionise routine tasks and enabling the FP&A team and Finance Business Partners to dedicate more time to analysis and understanding of performance through planning processes.

About the role. A pivotal role in the finance function leadership team reporting to the Director of FP&A. The role is accountable for both the process and performance delivery of the Group’s financial 5 year plan, annual budget and in year forecasts. The role leads the management of risk and opportunities processes, providing the Executive team with a solid foundation to facilitate operational decision making and to manage stakeholder expectations. The role holder will be expected to build relationships across the function and wider business, landing continuous improvement in the planning processes, enhancing forecast accuracy and deepening the business’ understanding of financial performance to meet the strategic goals of the Group.

You will continuously provide forward visibility, challenge and analysis of the group's financial performance, reflecting latest risks, opportunities and strategies. You will ensure senior stakeholders are engaged and that they have accurate financial information to make good strategic decisions. You must role model high standards of integrity and desire, displaying initiative effectiveness and have the intellectual capacity to deal with complex issues. You will have proven success in growing your team’s performance and have exacting standards. This is a highly visible role requiring a strong leader for both the team and for the wider function, sponsoring team development, cross-functional working and agile methodologies. Success in the role demands an innovative leader who within a fast-paced, ambiguous environment inspires confidence, displays influence and impact, building excellent working relationships, adding insight and aligning processes toward delivery of the Very Group’s strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver the group’s 5 Year Plan, annual Budget and in year forecasts ensuring the Board approved strategies are reflected correctly.
• Facilitate debate and challenge of these financial plans, budgets and forecasts at a Board and shareholder level through the provision of clearly articulated presentations and analysis.
• Ensure financial plans and forecasts are delivered in a timely manner, with accuracy and ever improving ease.
• Ensure all impacts are correctly reflected by function and across the P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash flow.
• Lead the transformation of planning processes and systems, identifying opportunities to deliver efficiencies in the way we work.
• Provide guidance on strategic risk and capital optimisation while ensuring the team understand the drivers of group performance to improve the quality of revenue, profit and cash forecasting.
• Encouraging the team to be more inquisitive, gaining a greater understanding of the business and in turn becoming more confident at challenging performance.
• Develop relationships at all levels in finance and the business to enable open communication and to drive effective team outcomes.
• Set and communicate annual calendars event specific timetables for budgeting and forecasting aligning to Group reporting timetables.
• Deputise for the Director of FP&A as required.

About you. Qualified accountant with minimum 5 years post-qualified experience in leading and managing FP&A teams. Experience of corporate finance and cash forecasting would be advantageous. A self-starter with the confidence to provide opinion and with the desire charisma to develop highly productive stakeholder relationships. First-class written and presentational skills with the ability to prepare material that succinctly communicates complex issues for exec level discussion. Be comfortable in tasking the business with deadline target adherence. Thrive on change and continuous improvement, with prior experience of regularly dealing and engaging at board level. Flexibility, and desire, to manage divergence and/or ambiguity and be able to evidence comfort in working to tight deadlines under pressure. Able to challenge upwards and cross-functionally and welcomes being challenged. Technically excellent with the intellectual capacity to deal with complexity and communicate complex financial matters in simple terms. Demonstrable organisational skills and the experience of managing a team of qualified accountants. You will seek ways to contribute to wider finance team beyond role scope.

Some of our benefits:

• Flexible, hybrid working model
• Inclusive culture and environment
• £10,000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
• Udemy learning access
• Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
• Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
• Matched pension up to 6%
• More benefits can be found on our career site.

How to apply. Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you may be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS and DBS check.

What happens next? Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely. You can expect a two-stage interview process for this position:

• 1st Stage – A 30-45 minute video call with the hiring team to discuss your skills and relevant experience. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the role and ask any questions you may have.
• 2nd Stage – A one-hour formal onsite interview where you can expect both competency and technical questions.
• 3rd Stage – A final formal interview with the CFO, focusing on strategic alignment, leadership fit, and your potential contribution to the wider finance function.

As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments. If you’d like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.

Equal opportunities. We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.