Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

Job content

About us.

PA Media is the UK’s national news agency, supplying 24/7 journalism to every newsroom in the country. It sits at the heart of the PA Media Group which is now a portfolio of diversified news and information companies encompassing a large data division, the picture agency Alamy and the streaming service Stream AMG, among others.

About the role.

Join our team as Head of FP&A to oversee all aspects of management reporting for our Group, take charge of all facets of management reporting for our Group, including financial performance, KPI tracking, budgeting, forecasting, and business case preparation.

In this role, you will work closely with the Director of Finance on project-based initiatives and ensure smooth delivery of year-end results and statutory accounts, facilitating seamless audit processes.

Your proactive approach will be crucial in challenging our business on revenue generation and cost efficiencies, continuously identifying opportunities to enhance EBIT.

With oversight of our MI team, (currently 12 members), you will play a key role in nurturing and expanding our Finance function, which totals 27 employees.

This is a fixed-term contract opportunity to cover parental leave.

Responsibilities.

• Deliver accurate monthly results, quarterly forecasts, and annual budget information, ensuring quality and accuracy of variance analysis.
• Create and manage the KPI framework, generating meaningful dashboards and insights.
• Provide commercial insights, analysis, and recommendations for performance assessment, financial sustainability, and investment cases.
• Manage the team to maximise potential, ensuring accurate and timely insights and proactive engagement with the business.
• Support the Group FC with year-end accounts and audit processes.
• Drive and support change implementation to improve processes and reporting, meeting strategic business needs.
• Play a key role in the successful delivery of the new ERP system.
• Support due diligence on acquisitions and subsequent integrations.
• Promote and lead a culture fostering expert insight skills, innovation, and operational/process improvements.
• Protect the company by addressing financial or other issues that may cause business or reputational damage and ensure consistent application of group accounting policies.
• Maintain consistency between management accounts and financial profits with no year-end adjustments.

What you will need.

To successfully deliver this role, you will need excellent communication skills, enabling effective engagement across all levels of the organisation.

Ownership of deliverables and adept project management, including managing dependencies within various areas of the business, are crucial.

Demonstrated leadership abilities are essential, particularly in leading teams through change and fostering a culture of innovation.

In terms of technical competencies, professional membership with ACA/CIMA/ACCA is required. Strong analytical skills are essential, allowing you to prepare clear managerial information and insights.

Your demonstrated understanding of various financial techniques, including business model development, KPI metrics, project planning, management accounting and reporting, costing, and performance analysis, will be instrumental in driving informed decision-making and strategic planning within the organisation.

What we can offer you.

• Excellent basic salary with 25 days holiday and a holiday purchase scheme
• Management bonus
• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Wellbeing Day (x1)
• Volunteering Day (x1)
• Perkbox membership
• BUPA Health Cash Plan
• The opportunity to working with talented colleagues in a supportive team environment where your contribution is valued
• Excellent Home / Work life balance including hybrid working and flexible start and finish times.

Inclusion.

We are working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment and as well as your skills and experience we are also focused on who you are and what else you can bring.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work life balance and positively encourage hybrid working. We are always open to discuss an individual’s flexible working needs so please speak to us during the recruitment process to understand what this could look like for you. We will do everything we can to support you.

PA Media Group aims to make our opportunities accessible to all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, contact us.