At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive financial performance and shape business strategy while influencing senior stakeholders.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in the finance sector with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to lead teams and develop talent.
- Why this job: Be a strategic leader and make impactful decisions that drive business success.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 5 years of experience in finance business partnering.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Senior FP&A Lead is a key strategic leader within the finance function, responsible for driving financial performance, shaping business strategy, and influencing senior stakeholders across the organisation. This role goes beyond traditional finance support, providing forward-looking insights, challenging decision-making, and leading financial planning across underwriting, cost management and operational areas. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, ensuring financial considerations are embedded in all key business decisions.
About the Role
Responsible for driving financial performance, shaping business strategy, and influencing senior stakeholders across the organisation.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of annual budgets, forecasts, and long‑term business plans
- Provide strategic insight on growth opportunities, capital allocation, and portfolio optimisation
- Develop and oversee scenario modelling to assess business risks and opportunities
- Support M&A activity, business cases, and investment decisions with robust financial analysis
Performance & Value Management
- Own performance analysis across key insurance metrics
- Provide deep insight into profitability by product line, geography, and distribution channel
- Identify value creation opportunities and drive initiatives to improve margins and efficiency
- Lead performance review processes with senior leadership, including Board‑level reporting
Insurance‑Specific Expertise
- Provide expert insight into underwriting performance
- Support portfolio management decisions, including risk appetite and underwriting strategy
Qualifications
- Qualified accountant with 5 years post‑qualified experience (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
Required Skills
- Extensive experience in finance business partnering within insurance or financial services
- Strong understanding of insurance financials (e.g., underwriting cycles, reserving, claims dynamics, capital requirements)
- Proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving strategic outcomes
- Advanced financial modelling, planning, and analytical capability
- Experience leading teams and developing talent
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to translate financial data into business strategy
- Experience with finance systems, data tools, and performance reporting frameworks
Senior FP&A Lead employer: WPR
As a Senior FP&A Lead at our company, you will join a dynamic and collaborative work culture that prioritises innovation and strategic thinking. We offer competitive benefits, including professional development opportunities tailored to enhance your career growth, and a supportive environment where your insights directly influence key business decisions. Located in a vibrant area, our organisation fosters a sense of community and encourages a healthy work-life balance, making it an exceptional place to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior FP&A Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and insurance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and showcase your expertise. Remember, it's all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to financial performance and strategic insights. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your experience in driving business strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Bring examples of your financial modelling and scenario analysis to the table during interviews. This will demonstrate your ability to provide forward-looking insights and support decision-making.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior FP&A Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Senior FP&A Lead role. Highlight your experience in finance business partnering and any specific achievements in driving financial performance. We want to see how you can shape business strategy!
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 role. Share examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders and provided strategic insights in previous positions. Let us know why you’re excited about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Financial Expertise:Don’t forget to highlight your qualifications and experience with insurance financials. We’re looking for someone who understands underwriting cycles and capital requirements, so make sure these skills are front and centre in your application.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at WPR
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior FP&A Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the insurance sector, such as underwriting cycles and claims dynamics. Be ready to discuss how you've used these insights to influence business strategy in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role is all about shaping business strategy, so come prepared with examples of how you've driven financial performance in the past. Think about specific scenarios where your strategic insights led to significant outcomes, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Influencing senior stakeholders is crucial for this position. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully partnered with leadership in the past. Highlight your communication skills and provide examples of how you've navigated complex discussions to drive decision-making.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As a potential leader in the finance function, it's important to showcase your experience in leading teams and developing talent. Share specific instances where you've mentored others or led initiatives that improved team performance, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.