Head of Financial Planning and Analysis London, England
Job description
Head of Financial Planning and Analysis - Kaplan International Pathways - UK
About Us
Kaplan International Pathways, a division of the global education group Kaplan Inc., and ultimately owned by the US-listed Graham Holdings (NYSE: GHC), offers international students a wide range of flexible study options - from University preparation programmes in the UK, Australia, USA, China and Japan through to full degree programmes in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. Through our academic partnerships with leading universities, our expertise in student recruitment, our exceptional teaching and a real focus on customer service and pastoral care, each year we are proud to welcome thousands of students from more than 100 countries through the doors of our colleges.
Background
We are looking to appoint a Head of FPA for UK Pathways who will report to Director Of FPA, UK US University Partnerships. This is a great opportunity for an astute, commercially minded, technically-strong accountant with excellent people skills to be part of and lead a motivated team. As Head of FPA you will sit alongside our Financial Controller for UK Pathways, who has of operational and technical accounting responsibilities covering Kaplan International Colleges UK Limited and its UK subsidiaries as well as its overseas presence in India, Nigeria the U.A.E.
This role is vacant due to the internal progression of the current incumbent.
This position is integral to the success of the Finance function, by ensuring delivery of thoughtful, insightful management Information and well-informed challenge to the division’s Senior Management Team.
The Pathways Group is part of a larger American organisation, which brings the challenge of accounting both under UK GAAP (FRS102) and US GAAP. We are also at the highest level of testing and compliance under the Sarbanes Oxley Compliance framework. Within the Pathways Group, each of our colleges is a separate company and we have a total of 19 legal entities under our remit.
The Role
Sitting within a dynamic and collaborative finance team, you will provide insight on business performance to influence decision-making; help drive profitable growth and support the delivery of the organisation’s long term strategic goals.
Leading a team of 6, with 3 direct reports, you are responsible for delivery of the reporting, financial planning and analysis for our UK Pathways Colleges, Student Residences and Estates, Global Marketing and Recruitment, Shared and Support Services.
As a team, we are committed to continuous improvement in everything that we do, and we would be looking to you to take ownership for this in the FPA space. This will include ensuring that communication with budget holders is best in class and that planning and forecasting is undertaken as efficiently as possible. This will mean applying critical thinking and your professional experience to identify improvements and efficiencies, working with your team, Group Finance and IT to implement necessary changes. Critical to your success will be a well-organised, motivated, high performing team, so your team management and team development will be important.
Key responsibilities as Head of FPA will include:
Planning and forecasting
Own the budgeting and quarterly forecasting work process, providing analysis and therefore guidance to senior stakeholders.
Delivery of a consolidated financial plan which meets the needs of management and Group.
Delivery of annual 5-year forecast for regulator return.
Review and Reporting
Own the PL sign off at month end: You and your team are responsible for reviewing the PL and delivering a pre-close flash to the CFO and UK Pathways MD.
Delivery of month-end reporting, to interested stakeholders, including SMT, Group Finance and other budget holders not on SMT.
Business Insight and decision making support
Lead the team to challenge the business on efficiency and productivity based on insight gained from the analyses the team prepare.
Provide data, business case modelling, and decision analysis support for new business opportunities.
Lead the annual pricing review process
Team and Process
Lead and develop the FPA team.
Own the continuous improvement of the financial planning process and reporting – delivery, format and content.
About you
Qualified accountant
Confident and articulate individual who can build rapport within the Finance team and outside of Finance.
Excellent interpersonal and business communication skills, both verbal and written.
Confident Excel user, able to work with complex excel formulae.
Self-disciplined and accountable for producing high-quality work
Excellent attention to detail and ability to investigate problem areas with an inquisitive mind and comfortable diving deep into the detail.
Good time management and organisational skills for planning own work and for managing the team and their deliverables.
Flexibility adaptability essential
Previous team management experience, with demonstrated leadership skills.
Desirable
Previous experience using GPL and integrated reporting tools
Experience within a multi-national company or a mid to large audit practice.
What we will offer you
In this role, you will join a highly committed, passionate team of international education professionals.
To help you succeed in your role, we will train you so that you have a full understanding of our business goals and context and we will work with you to determine what additional training you will need to do your job better and develop professionally. We will also work hard to ensure that you are supported and guided so that you enjoy your job and achieve your potential.
To apply for this role please submit a CV along with a Cover Letter detailing how you meet the requirements of the role by 28th June 2023.
Benefits
28 days annual leave*
Big discounts on Kaplan courses for you and your family
24/7 confidential helpline providing counselling and other support services
Company pension contributions
Maternity, Adoption, Shared Parental and Paternity/Partner pay which is well above statutory levels
Medicash Health Cash Plan
Please note that the annual leave entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis if the role is part time.
At Kaplan International, we are committed to working in a diverse organisation and strive to provide equality of opportunity for all. We encourage and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership. If as a disabled applicant (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) you would like to request that your application is considered our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) please let us know using this form
As part of our commitment to safeguarding, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Applicants must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
For international students who have the rights to stay in the UK following graduation, we welcome application under the Graduate Route visa.
£90,000 - £95,000 Per annum
