At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning, budgeting, and performance reporting for a meaningful organisation.
- Company: Join one of the UK's largest independent crematoria operators with a caring culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonus, generous holiday, and health benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth and to be part of a values-led organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified finance professional with FP&A experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
Full time hours Hybrid working: Typically, 3 days in office and 2 working from home £70,000 - £80,000 per annum + Company performance bonus + Benefits Permanent Westerleigh Crematorium Head Office (Near Bristol)
Are you an experienced and qualified FP&A Manager with strong finance business partnering skills looking for a role where your expertise will have real impact? If so, we would love to hear from you!
We are one of the largest independent operators of crematoria in the UK, supported by almost 500 empathetic and dedicated individuals. We have big ambitions; to grow and invest in our sites, maintain our vision, further develop our colleagues to provide best in class facilities for our customers.
The role Finance is on a journey to becoming a trusted and commercially minded finance team that delivers excellence in the fundamentals while partnering the business with constructive insight, challenge, and support. We use data-driven decisions to strengthen performance, optimising Westerleigh service, and securing the long term sustainability of our crematoria and cemeteries helping to balance value, service & quality.
The FP&A Manager supports the Head of FP&A in delivering all aspects of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting across the Group. This role acts as the second-in-command within the FP&A function, capable of holding the fort and ensuring continuity of leadership during periods when the Head of FP&A is engaged in strategic projects, investor reporting or external activity.
The post-holder will lead the monthly reporting cycle, help compile SLT and board packs and drive insightful analysis, support operational and commercial decision-making, and help develop a high performance, business partnering culture across Finance.
Key responsibilities include:
- Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the quarterly reforecast processes, ensuring alignment with PE expectations and Board timelines.
- Provide clear updates to the board, aligning SLT members ahead of submission to CFO and CEO for review.
- Develop models, scenario plans and sensitivities across material P&L and cash flow lines including revenue, cremation volumes, memorialisation, payroll, rent and rates and multi site cost bases.
- Support long range planning and investment cases, including new crematoria developments, refurbishments and capacity expansions.
- Maintain a Risk and Opportunity log, assessed for value, likelihood and effort and providing a range of outcomes for the coming year and the following year outturns.
- Management Reporting & Insight
- Own the monthly performance pack across P&L, cash flow and KPIs, ensuring clear narrative, variance analysis and actionable insight.
- Analyse cremation volumes, market shares, pricing, memorial sales, labour trends and operational efficiency metrics across the estate.
- Partner with the MDs for Core and Distinct and Site Managers to drive improvements in conversion, cost control and memorial performance.
- Post-evaluate significant investment and provide tracker of latest IRRs and Payback, for example our Personalised Chapel technology investments.
- Develop and improve monthly capex reporting, for both long-term construction of crematoria projects and shorter-term capex projects, automating where possible.
- Continuous improve critical postings and accruals to ensure that recognition follows activity and commitments.
- Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders across Operations, Property and Distinct.
- Provide financial insight to support decisions on pricing, margin management, procurement initiatives and productivity improvements.
- Support SLT preparation for Board meetings, investor reviews and site performance deep dives.
- Holding the Fort / Leadership
- Deputise fully for the Head of FP&A when required, ensuring continuity of reporting, planning and stakeholder engagement.
- Coach and support the Data Analyst and BI Systems Developer on a day to day activity basis, helping to build modelling capability, analytical discipline and business acumen.
- Maintain strong governance, ensuring data accuracy, consistency and adherence to financial controls and reporting standards.
- Projects & Continuous Improvement
- Lead analytical work on strategic projects such as new site openings, capital investments, memorialisation initiatives or pricing reviews.
- Develop an operating one pager sign off process, alongside procurement improvements.
- Enhance reporting tools and processes, supporting the evolution towards a more automated, insight-driven FP&A function.
- Collaborate with IT/BI to improve data availability, dashboards and self service insight for operational leaders.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to influence a growing, values-led national organisation.
- Exposure to senior leadership and private equity stakeholders.
- A role with genuine responsibility and scope for progression.
- Opportunity to be part of significant improvement programme.
About you
- Qualified Finance professional CIMA / ACCA / ACA or equivalent.
- Experienced FP&A Manager / Financial Planning & Analysis Manager or Commercial Finance Manager background, ideally within multi-site, consumer services, healthcare, infrastructure, hospitality, retail or PE backed environments.
- Demonstrable experience running budget cycles, management reporting, financial modelling and finance business partnering.
- Exceptional analytical and modelling skills.
- Ability to translate numbers into insight and clear recommendations.
- Good storytelling, strong communication skills, able to engage senior non-finance stakeholders.
- Highly organised, calm under pressure, able to operate independently when required.
- Comfortable in a purpose driven business where empathy, quality and professionalism matter.
- Power BI knowledge.
- Advanced Excel/Google Sheets.
- NetSuite or SAP experience or similar.
- Solution 7, IBM TM1, Anaplan or equivalent experience in maintaining models and clean master data.
What We Offer
If you would like to join the Westerleigh team, you can be sure of a warm welcome, ongoing training and development and a sense of pride by truly making a difference every day to the families we serve. No two days are the same and many of our Managers have developed their careers within the business.
The values we champion are Safety First, Exceptional Care, Uniquely Personal and One Team.
In addition to salary, you will also be eligible for the following benefits:
- Company performance bonus
- 33 days holiday (Includes 8 days bank holiday)
- Life Assurance
- A choice between 7% employer pension contribution or 5% contribution + private healthcare cover (Bupa)
- Access to a wide range of retail discounts and wellbeing support
- Ongoing learning & development
- Employee Assistance / Occupational health support Program
- Mindfulness App
- Mental Health First Ambassadors
- The benefit we hope you'll never need: Free Cremation benefit for Immediate family
- Bereavement Leave
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
- Recognition scheme
- Free Flu jab
- Free parking
What next?
Start a career with significance by applying today. We generally advertise vacancies for a minimum of 1 week before reviewing applications. We reserve the right to close the application window sooner if a significant number of applications are received. If you're not contacted, please assume you have been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, feedback is not always possible due to the volume of applications we receive.
FP&A Manager in Gloucester employer: Westerleigh Group
Westerleigh Crematorium offers a unique opportunity for an FP&A Manager to join a values-led organisation that prioritises employee development and well-being. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and extensive benefits including a performance bonus and generous holiday allowance, you will be part of a supportive team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. Our culture fosters growth, collaboration, and a commitment to exceptional care, ensuring that every day brings new challenges and rewards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FP&A Manager in Gloucester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might have insights into the FP&A Manager role. A friendly chat can lead to valuable referrals or insider info about the company.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your financial modelling skills and understanding the key metrics that matter in this role. Be ready to share examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in past positions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your business partnering skills during interviews. Talk about how you've collaborated with non-financial stakeholders to achieve common goals. This is crucial for the FP&A Manager position!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace FP&A Manager in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the FP&A Manager role. Highlight your finance business partnering skills and any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission. Be sure to mention your analytical skills and ability to translate numbers into actionable insights.
Showcase Your Soft Skills:While technical skills are crucial, don’t forget to showcase your soft skills too! We value strong communication and storytelling abilities, especially when engaging with senior stakeholders. Let us know how you've successfully collaborated in the past.
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 Westerleigh Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As an FP&A Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to P&L, cash flow, and KPIs. Be ready to discuss how you've used data-driven insights to influence decision-making in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills
This role requires strong finance business partnering skills. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with non-financial stakeholders to drive improvements. Highlight your ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights that support operational decisions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential scenarios you might face in this role, such as budget reforecasting or investment evaluations. Practice articulating your thought process and the steps you would take to address these challenges.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
The company values innovation and efficiency. Be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to process improvements in your past roles. Share specific examples of tools or methodologies you've implemented to enhance reporting or financial modelling capabilities.
