FP&A Manager

Job Description

The FP&A function plays an essential role in decision making at Emerald, providing critical insights and strategic direction through comprehensive analysis and forecasting. This is an exciting opportunity for an FP&A Manager to join our Finance team to lead on the delivery of our quarterly forecasts and partner with teams across the business to deliver impactful insights that help drive strategic growth.

Whilst the FP&A Manager’s primary role is to manage and deliver the quarterly forecasting process, non-forecasting periods provide the opportunity to self-manage change projects and provide financial business partnering support and advice across a range of cross functional commercial projects.

The role comes with line-management responsibility for an FP&A Analyst and will report into the Head of Finance Business Partnering.

Location: We perform at our best when we feel trusted and are able to choose an approach to working that suits us best, which is why we are a remote-first company. However, we also believe in face to face collaboration, and our UK colleagues meet once a month for team time and quarterly for company get togethers in our Leeds office, so we ask that you be within a commutable distance that you are comfortable with in order to attend the office on those occasions.

Day to day we’ll trust you to:   

Lead the quarterly forecasting process:

• Coordinating key stakeholders across the business from the C-suite to Finance Business Partners and departmental budget holders to ensure a smooth forecasting process with robust outputs are delivered on time.
• Review forecast outputs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and providing clarity on key insights
• Take ownership of the forecast reporting pack, ensuring it reflects the latest business requirements, with commercial insights and recommendations clearly and concisely presented using a mix of visualisations and commentary.
• Continuously improve forecasting workflows and processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with business objectives.
• Presenting sections of the forecast pack to the C-Suite.

Manage change projects:

• Lead and self-manage financial projects focused on improving business performance, cost management, and supporting strategic initiatives.
• Producing high quality ad-hoc analysis, modelling and other financial plans as required by the business.
• Support M&A activities, capital investment evaluations, and other strategic initiatives by providing financial modelling and analysis.

Business partnering:

• Collaborate closely with teams across the business (e.g. Sales, Marketing, Technology) to provide financial guidance and help shape strategic decisions.
• Develop and maintain advanced financial models (with scenario analysis) to evaluate the financial impact of key business initiatives, enabling data-backed decision-making.

You’ll need to have:   

Skills & competencies

• CIMA, ACCA or ACA qualified
• Organised and motivated, showing effective collaboration whilst being able to work within tight deadlines.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proactive – taking the initiative and seeking opportunities for change.
• Flexible – able to manage changing priorities, tight deadlines, and evolving business demands in a dynamic environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential to articulate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders.
• Confident, personable and professional attitude.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel user, confident with complex formulae and modelling.
• High standard of IT literacy, proficient in the use of all Microsoft Office programmes

Experience

• Prior experience of managing a forecasting process (essential).
• Comfortable managing and analysing large data sets (essential).
• Experience in both creating and maintaining advanced Excel-based financial models (essential).
• Prior experience of using IBM Cognos Planning Analytics (TM1) or similar OLAP software (desirable).

Why this role may not be right for you

This role offers a range of exciting opportunities and development opportunities, however, we recognise it may not be the best fit for everyone. Please consider the following before applying:

• High pace and deadlines: The FP&A Manager role involves working under tight deadlines, particularly during quarterly forecasting cycles. If you are uncomfortable with working in a fast-paced environment, where may occasionally be required to work late, this role may not align with your work style.
• Independent problem-solving: This role requires a self-starter who is comfortable working autonomously, managing projects, and solving problems with minimal supervision.
• Comfort with ambiguity: If you prefer a structured environment where everything is clearly defined, this may not be the best role for you. This position requires navigating complex and sometimes ambiguous situations, where dynamic and logical thinking and flexibility in your approach are key.
• Data-intensive role: If working extensively with financial data and building financial models isn’t your strength, this role may not be the best fit for you. Success in this position requires a strong analytical mindset and the ability to translate large data sets into actionable recommendations.
• Cross-functional collaboration: This position requires regular communication with different departments and stakeholders. If you're not comfortable working with non-finance teams or adapting your communication style to suit various audiences, this may not be the best fit.

What’s in it for you?

At Emerald, we value our people. Becoming a part of our team means you’ll join a trusting and flexible environment and we've been flexified so you can trust that we're a truly flexible workplace. All we ask is that you attend the office once a month to come together with work colleagues. You'll also have numerous opportunities to progress your career, as well as access to professional development and the opportunity to learn new skills.

You’ll receive a wide range of benefits, such as 38 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays, remote flexible working, a discretionary performance bonus, 6% pension contribution and various benefits aimed at supporting your wellbeing and work-life balance such as a working from home allowance. You can check out a full list of our benefits here.

Roles are advertised at a benchmarked market median rate. Offers will be made within a range of the median, depending on skills and experience.

Please note - Applicants must be authorized to work in the UK without restrictions or sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Emerald Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our applicants. If you would like to request any accommodations/adjustments from application through to interview stages, please complete the relevant section within the application or contact us at peopleteam@emerald.com and let us know.