Financial Planning Analyst

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Financial Planning Analyst to join our team based in Manchester.

Role Summary and Core Responsibilities

• Proactive financial support to the operational areas, driving performance through insightful analysis
• Oversight of the Group's financial planning (inclusive of budget/forecasts) and monitoring process

Core Accountabilities and Responsibilities

The business is PE-owned, and the demands of the role reflect that, in an expectation for a strong focus on financial performance, incisive analysis and insight on business performance, and continuous commercial, financial, and operational improvement.

As Financial Planning Analyst you will support the Head of FP&A to proactively support the Group's senior leadership team in driving strategic and tactical business initiatives across the Group through (for example):

• Adoption of a finance partner approach to ensure teams across the business have access to financial and analytical support when/where required
• Ensuring, through routine (weekly/monthly) and ad-hoc reporting, that key stakeholders have a sound understanding of actual and forecast financial and operational performance of the business and the key drivers of under/over-performance
• Play an integral role of the Group's financial planning and forecasting processes, ensuring financial plans and forecasts are modelled accurately to reflect approved programmes and initiatives across the Group

Detailed Deliverables

• Delivery of daily/weekly/monthly KPI performance reports and a rolling reforecast with accompanying commentaries providing value-adding analysis and insight
• Decision support in the form of investment appraisal and ROI tracking
• Proactive identification of areas for operational and/or financial performance improvement
• Support in the delivery of an annual business plan and subsequent reforecasts as required
• Oversight of cost management and reporting processes
• Ad-hoc projects as and when required by the board

We welcome applications for this Financial Planning Analyst role from candidates with experience in the following areas: FP&A Analyst, financial planning, Accountant, commercial finance, Planning Analyst.

• A competitive basic salary plus annual company bonus
• Flexible hybrid working model (two days home, three days office)
• Career development and promotional opportunities
• 25 days holidays (increasing to 28 after 5 years of service)
• A 'Moments That Matter' day (annually)
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity pay
• Holiday buy and sell
• 3 paid days charity leave
• Company events, socials, and incentives
• 3 x death in service
• Company pension scheme
• Costco membership
• Salary sacrifice, company car scheme
• Free breakfast, fruit, and hot/cold beverages
• Referral scheme
• Employee discount

Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with a background in FP&A/commercial finance
• Strong oral and written communication skills; positive attitude and interpersonal skills
• Experience of managing multiple key stakeholders
• Resilient to change and more importantly able to act as a change agent
• Absorb and summarise complex or diverse information
• Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Power BI experience capability is desirable but not essential to this Financial Planning Analyst role
• Demonstrated 'hands on' delivery approach
• Capable of interpreting information and providing succinct analysis to senior stakeholders

Skills and Attributes

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Take ownership of tasks, maintaining focus when tight deadlines are required
• Can show creative thinking when solving problems, wanting to resolve these as quickly as possible
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced environments with informal ways of working
• Possess a great work ethic, positive mindset, and limitless thinking
• You will be forward thinking and customer-focused
• Naturally ambitious, hardworking, and achievement-oriented
• You will be resilient and have a strong desire to succeed, going above and beyond to deliver exceptional results

At Travel Counsellors, we care about our customers, communities, and our colleagues more than anyone else and that's what makes us special. For us, relationships trump transactions, and we are there for our customers, connecting with them on a deeply human level through the moments that matter.

We've been changing lives for over 28 years as the leading travel marketplace for self-employed travel entrepreneurs, empowering over 2,000 global independent travel agents to run successful leisure and corporate travel businesses as part of a company that truly cares and one that has never wavered from its purpose; to redefine what personal means for a travel business.

Our Travel Counsellors are supported by a team of over 270 super talented people in our support offices to help them create unique, inspiring, and exciting experiences for their customers, building lasting personal relationships that brings them back to us, time and time again.

We're fired up for the future as the demand for travel after COVID-19 returns even greater than before, and we're looking for the brightest and the best to come and join us to take our business to the next level.