GIfford and Partners have been retained to appoint a key role of Head of FP&A that will provide strategic commercial guidance to a growing SME based in Wakefield. Are you a dynamic and skilled Financial Planning and Analysis Manager seeking an exciting opportunity, or senior commercial finance analyst/business partner wanting that next step up? As Head of Financial Planning and Analysis, you will play a vital role in developing and managing the Group FP&A processes, ensuring accurate forecasting, planning, and reporting. Additionally, you will lead the software planning and development initiatives, driving FP&A and broader finance processes. Other key responsibilities will include;

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of Group forecasting, planning, and corporate reporting processes.
• Collaborate with various finance teams as a business partner to deliver robust plans and forecasts. Provide guidance, review inputs, and offer insights while challenging assumptions when necessary.
• Create high-quality monthly board packs for the CFO, presenting plans, forecasts, and actual results in an insightful manner that drives actions at the
• board level.
• Effectively communicate forecasts to key stakeholders within the business ensuring appropriate actions are taken.
• Lead the business's software planning systems, driving development and maintenance.
• Project manage new initiatives and collaborate with the IT team to develop and build new financial models. Provide coaching to enhance software planning knowledge across the business.
• Support direct reports who partner with central functional heads (Finance, IT, People, Legal) to manage costs and achieve plan/forecast objectives.
• Evaluate existing approaches, identify areas for improvement, and simplify processes.

What We Are Looking For:

• Qualified accountant (CIMA / ACA / ACCA) with relevant PQE accounting experience.
• Proven experience in finance business partnering, fostering collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a challenging environment with tight timelines.
• Excellent critical and analytical thinking skills.
• Self-starter with a high level of motivation to drive performance for the business, the team, and themselves.
• Exceptional communication skills at all levels.
• Strong leadership abilities and experience in managing a team.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficient in MS Excel for data analysis and MS PowerPoint for impactful presentations.
• Ability to cultivate strong relationships across the organization.
• Previous industry experience in FP&A or commercial finance.

If you are a driven Financial Planning and Analysis Manager with a passion for excellence, or wishing to embark on that next step up the ladder, you will be hard pushed to find a nicer home/office that values your expertise and offers room for growth. We invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Join an amazing team and and make significant impact to the company's financial planning and analysis processes. Apply now and take the next step in your career!