Group FP&A Senior Manager

Reporting to the Head of Group FP&A, the Group FP&A Senior Manager plays a key role in delivering group-level management information, planning and forecasting. The role is accountable in delivering high-quality financial reporting cycles, including Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), long range planning and for reviewing and validating insight-led analysis to support senior decision-making.

Working closely with Finance colleagues across multiple time zones, the role leads variance analysis and performance reviews across the Group, consolidating and interpreting financial data from Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and Regions within a complex international structure. This role will also partner with FP&A Centre of Excellence (CoE) to deliver financial models, dashboards and reports in Anaplan, and standardisation of planning and forecasting processes within the CoE.

Role Accountabilities

Group FP&A Reporting

Lead the development and consolidation of the Long-Range Plan (LRP), working closely with the FP&A Centre of Excellence (CoE) to develop multi-year financial models that reflect the British Council’s strategic direction and evolving commercial business model. Manage the end-to-end preparation and delivery of monthly management information (MI), including cash flow forecasts, P&L reporting, performance management and reviews. Lead the initiation and consolidation of the annual budget, Quarterly Business Review, Flash reporting cycles and monthly re-forecasts across the P&L, balance sheet and cash flow. Provide support for Group liquidity and facilities headroom reporting, and work with the Head of Group FP&A and Director of Group FP&A to prepare high-quality papers and presentations for the Board of Trustees, SLT and FCDO. Undertake and validate detailed variance analysis and financial KPI reporting, providing clear and insightful narratives to support executive-level decision-making. Support scenario modelling and deliver high-value ad-hoc analysis in response to evolving business needs.

Partnering and Delivery

Work strategically with the FP&A Centre of Excellence (CoE) to develop advanced financial models and insights, ensuring the successful delivery of key planning and forecasting milestones. Act as a key point of contact for the global FP&A community, providing the process documentation, guidance and leadership needed to promote alignment between Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and the CoE. Partner with wider Group Finance functions, including Controllership, to align and strengthen finance processes, including Month End reporting. Provide clear guidelines and frameworks to the wider Finance community to support timely, accurate and consistent data submissions across all business units.

Drive improvements to processes and reporting in partnership with the FP&A Centre of Excellence, standardising Anaplan reporting templates and automating manual processes to reduce cycle times and improve consistency. Gather, consolidate and validate data from Strategic Business Units, maintaining the highest standards of data integrity and quality. Identify and champion opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of financial outputs, including the monthly close, financial commentary and forecasting accuracy across all financial statements. Contribute to the functional design and implementation of Anaplan alongside the CoE, ensuring that new tools, systems and dashboards effectively meet complex Group reporting requirements.

Knowledge & Experience

Education

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Professional accounting qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent).
• Recognised International Accounting or Finance qualification or equivalent such as a relevant Accountancy or Finance degree

Experience

• Experience of providing comprehensive finance support to senior stakeholders at Group level
• Demonstrable experience of operating in international and multi-cultural organisations
• Excellent Excel and technical skills
• Report writing and presentation skills
• Experience working in matrixed, multi-country environments.
• Commercial finance experience gained in an organisation undergoing change and driving for growth
• Experience of working with Centre of Excellences and global finance teams
• Expertise in financial systems (e.g., SAP, Anaplan, Hyperion, Power BI).
• Location: UK
• Contract Type: Indefinite
• Pay band: Grade 9
• Right to Work Requirements: You must have the legal right to work in the location in which the role is based.
• Languages: Written and verbal proficiency in English is required

Closing date for applications:

Tuesday 29 September British Summer Time, BST)

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