This is a key role within the Strategy, FP&A and Planning team, supporting the Central Functions leadership in driving financial performance, strategic decision-making, and operational excellence across a global organisation. The successful candidate will act as a trusted finance business partner, providing insight, challenge, and guidance to senior stakeholders while ensuring robust financial planning, governance, and commercial decision support. The role is responsible for leading budgeting, forecasting, reporting, investment appraisal, cost optimisation, and financial governance activities, helping the business maximise value from its investments and achieve strategic objectives.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and reporting processes
- Own and manage P&L performance, providing timely financial analysis, variance reporting, and actionable insights to senior stakeholders.
- Partner with executive leadership, business owners, and functional heads to support strategic planning, investment decisions, and business performance improvement initiatives.
- Drive financial transparency and accountability through robust cost management and cost ownership methodologies
- Develop financial models, scenario analysis, business cases, investment appraisals, and benefits tracking to support strategic initiatives and investments.
- Drive continuous improvement through the adoption of AI, automation, and digital technologies to enhance finance processes, insights, and operational efficiency.
- Challenge business assumptions and spending proposals to ensure resources are aligned with company priorities and deliver measurable value.
- Provide commercial and financial guidance on vendor contracts, software licensing, managed services, outsourcing arrangements, and procurement initiatives.
- Partner with project and programme teams to ensure financial governance is maintained across approved investments, including project funding, change requests, and benefits realisation.
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reviews with stakeholders, highlighting risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.
- Support headcount planning and workforce management, including employees and contractors, ensuring costs remain aligned with budget and organisational objectives.
- Establish and continuously improve financial governance frameworks, planning processes, controls, and reporting standards.
- Drive operational efficiencies and cost optimisation initiatives through identification of savings opportunities, process improvements, and improved financial discipline.
- Ensure compliance with corporate policies, accounting standards, and internal control requirements.
- Collaborate across Finance, Technology, Procurement, HR, and other Corporate Functions to provide integrated financial support and business partnering.
- Produce executive-level presentations and analysis for senior leadership, investment committees, and governance forums.
- Significant experience in FP&A, Financial Controlling, Finance Business Partnering, or Corporate Finance.
- Business Partnering experience
- Demonstrable experience managing budgets, forecasts, headcount planning, and financial governance processes.
- Strong experience developing business cases, investment appraisals, and financial models.
- Experience supporting senior leadership teams and influencing strategic decision making.
- Proven ability to manage complex financial data and deliver meaningful performance insights.
- Advanced Excel and financial systems knowledge.
- Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
- Experience working within a large International Organisation.
- Experience leveraging AI-enabled tools and digital technologies to enhance financial analysis, reporting, forecasting, and business decision support.
- Strong business partnering skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent financial modelling, planning, forecasting, and analytical capabilities.
- Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable business insights.
- Drive continuous improvement through the adoption of AI, automation, and digital technologies to enhance finance processes, insights, and operational efficiency.
- Commercially minded with strong problem-solving and decision-support skills.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong attention to detail while maintaining focus on strategic outcomes and business objectives.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to challenge constructively and drive accountability amongst stakeholders.
- Experience driving process improvement, cost optimisation, and operational efficiency initiatives.
- Collaborative and adaptable approach with a strong customer-service mindset.