Group Head of FP&A

Goup Head of FP&A

Salary: Competitive (DOE) | Performance-related Bonus | Company Benefits
Location: Walsall, West Midlands | Hybrid
Contract: Full-time | Permanent | 37.5 hours per week
  
About Us:

South Staffordshire Group is an integrated services group that operates across two regulated water supply businesses and offers a range of complementary services and products through its non-regulated divisions: waste, water and infrastructure, compliance, service and software, and water consumption supply and logistics.
  
Group companies include: South Staffs Water, Cambridge Water, Advanced Engineering Solutions, Hydrosave, G Stow, OnSite, Integrated Water Services, Omega Red, Echo Managed Services, Aptumo, Aqua Direct, and Office Water Coolers.

The Role:

As Group Head of FP&A, you will play a pivotal role in leading the Group's budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting processes. Working closely with the Director of Group FP&A, you will ensure the Group has clear, accurate and forward-looking financial insight to support strategic decision-making.

You will be responsible for consolidating financial information from multiple businesses, challenging assumptions, identifying key risks and opportunities, and producing high-quality reporting for executive and board-level audiences.

This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and requires someone who is equally comfortable analysing detailed financial data as they are presenting key insights to senior stakeholders.
 
Key Responsibilities:

Financial Planning & Budgeting:
 

• Lead the annual Group budgeting process across multiple businesses.
• Develop budget frameworks, timetables and planning assumptions.
• Review and challenge business unit submissions to ensure robustness and accuracy.
• Identify risks, opportunities and key performance drivers across the Group.
• Support long-term planning, scenario modelling and strategic forecasting.
    

Forecasting & Performance Management:

• Manage periodic forecasting and reforecasting processes.
• Consolidate forecasts to provide a clear Group-wide financial outlook.
• Analyse variances against budget, forecast and prior year performance.
• Assess financial risks and opportunities and provide clear recommendations.

Group Reporting & Executive Insight:

• Lead production of monthly Group performance reports for the Executive Team and Board.
• Deliver insightful commentary on financial and operational performance.
• Translate complex financial information into clear and actionable business insights.
• Continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of management reporting.

Strategic Analysis & Decision Support:

• Provide detailed financial and commercial analysis to support senior decision-making.
• Develop scenario and sensitivity models to assess business outcomes.
• Evaluate investment opportunities and strategic initiatives.
• Identify trends, emerging issues and opportunities across the Group.

Stakeholder Management:

• Partner with finance leaders and operational stakeholders across the Group.
• Build strong collaborative relationships while providing constructive challenge.
• Act as a trusted adviser on financial performance and planning matters.
• Represent the Director of Group FP&A when required.

Continuous Improvement:

• Drive improvements in budgeting, forecasting and reporting processes.
• Enhance financial models, data quality and management information.
• Promote consistency, financial discipline and best practices across the Group.
• Support the development of a modern, forward-looking FP&A function.

About You:

We're looking for a finance professional who combines strong technical capability with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
 
Essential Experience

• Significant post-qualified experience in FP&A, commercial finance, financial reporting or business partnering.
• Experience leading budgeting, forecasting and planning processes.
• Strong track record in management reporting and performance analysis.
• Experience preparing executive-level reports, presentations and financial commentary.
• Strong financial modelling and analytical skills.
• Advanced understanding of P&L, balance sheet and cash flow dynamics.
• Ability to challenge assumptions and influence decision-making through insight.
• Experience working across multiple business units or complex organisations would be advantageous.

Skills & Attributes

• Highly analytical with a strong commercial mindset.
• Exceptional attention to detail combined with strategic thinking.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Credible and confident when engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent business partnering and relationship-building abilities.
• Proactive, self-motivated and able to manage competing priorities.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems expertise.
• Passion for continuous improvement, automation and data-driven decision making.
• Collaborative, professional and accountable in approach.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).

What You’ll Get:
 

• Family-Friendly Leave: Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity & Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support, and up to 5 paid Carer’s Days.
• Financial & Life Assurance: Company Pension Scheme with salary sacrifice options.
• Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Virtual GP access for you and your dependents.
• Lifestyle & Perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and My Premier Benefits discounts, cashback, and vouchers.
• Professional Development: Hands-on training and ongoing career development opportunities
• Inclusion & Belonging: Active People Networks – Disability & Neurodiversity, Unity+, Women’s Network, Parent & Carer Networking Group and more.
• Performance & Recognition: Annual salary review, Reward & Recognition Scheme, and Long Service Awards.

At South Staffordshire Limited, inclusion matters. We have a wide range of employee networks which are employee-led communities that bring our people together, support different perspectives and create a strong sense of belonging. Our people are encouraged to get involved as members or allies.
We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. 
  
We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including all genders, ethnicity, sexual orientations, and physical and neurodiverse abilities.
  
We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and encourage you to let us know how we can best support you throughout the recruitment process.