Financial Director - Group Fp&A

JSS search are partnering a leading FMCG multinational business based in Reading on their search for a Group FP&A Director. The client is a multibillion turnover leader in their field with large amounts of investment and growth ambitions

Our client is looking for a proven Director of FP&A with a track record of delivering value in large complex organisations and best in class finance functions.

Primary role purpose:

The primary purpose of the position is to lead a team of 15 to manage delivery of financial reporting and planning, drive commercial focus and execution across the group, and business partner members of the executive team.

This includes monthly forecasting, annual budgets and Long Range Planning exercises, and ownership of the transactional review board. In addition there will be ad hoc FP&A analytical work to support commercial decision making.

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities will be split into four core areas:

Reporting and analysis

• Ownership of the month end reporting process, including the determination of what data to collect, continuously improving the quality of reporting, and ensuring there’s a commercial and execution focus. This includes publishing the monthly management report (the MMR) to Exec, FLT and the Consortium; the CEO letter to the Board; and dealing with any questions.
• Analysing the reported data to identify areas for further investigation, opportunities that can be explored, risks to be mitigated and ensuring the performance of the business is presented fairly and insightfully.
• Collating and challenging the monthly forecasts to ensure the outcome for the business can be managed on a timely basis.
• Working with the Business Unit Finance Directors and VP’s to drive greater quality and insight in the data presented, and ensure a focus on execution and delivery.
• Ownership of the presentation and script for quarterly results call with our debt investors, including development and alignment of messaging with the CFO
• Working with the Insight, Analytics and Reporting (IAR) team to drive more automation into the process to allow the month end close to be performed faster without compromising on quality.

Annual Group Planning Cycle

• Work collaboratively with the Investor relations team to define and lead the strategic planning process and, with input from the business, lead preparation of all related Board material.
• Ownership of the group consolidation planning models, including group long-range business plan model to be updated annually and forecast model to be updated monthly and group budget to be updated annually.
• Coordinate and challenge business unit budgets, forecasts and Risk & Opps submissions to group planning/forecasting team. Management of timetable and process.
• Produce regular group forecast/planning reporting for inclusion in monthly management reports/board reporting.
• Drive the development of group forecasting processes including development of Group Budgeting System to include additional information such as headcount and KPIs.
• Using forecast models to produce scenarios around potential transactions, re-financings etc, liaising with commercial and technical departments as necessary to ensure that developments are accurately reflected.
• Drive the change and evolution of the planning process including improvements to cash flow, balance sheet and working capital planning, and inclusion of non-financial metrics etc.

Governance, risks and controls, decision support

• Ownership of the fortnightly Transactional Review Board; this includes owning the governance framework, associated policies and coordinating review and challenge of business cases, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities.
• Ownership of the risk register for Finance, including coordination of quarterly update with members of the Finance Leadership Team, review with the CFO and development of appropriate mitigating controls and actions.
• Ownership of the risk and control environment for all FP&A processes, ensuring all controls are designed and operating effectively and risk mitigations are in place.
• Ad hoc decision support including evaluation of potential M&A and other business development projects, business case preparation and review, support of procurement activities.

Your background:

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent MBA) with 10 years+ post qualification experience.
• Experience of leading, developing and creating high-performance Group or central finance teams (of 15+) within large matrix organisations
• Excel in change and transformative environments
• Experience of business partnering / working in a business unit alongside commercial teams budgeting / forecasting.
• Ability to work with and influence senior operational and financial leaders to Exec level,
• Track record of delivering material value through leading projects, challenging the business and driving a focus on execution and delivery.
• Understanding of risks involved in corporate acquisitions, business cases and deals.

What’s on offer?

• £150,000-£165,000 basic salary, bonus and shares
• Hybrid working policy (2 days in office)
• Highly visible role within a market leader
• Ability to progress and add value in a best in class finance function

Apply below or conversely reach out to me via email at [email protected].