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Job description

Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

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Head of Financial Planning & Analysis​

 

Finance

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Full time, 37.5 hours a week

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Permanent

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London - Hybrid 2 days per week London office (to include Wednesdays)​

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Director of Finance and Services

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Internal salary grade: 18

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28 days' annual holiday entitlement (pro rata for part time staff) plus Public/ Bank Holidays.

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MSF UK currently provides an employer pension contribution of 10% of salary after 3 months continuous employment.

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Access to independent, free and confidential 24/7 advice on a range of issues, including personal relationships, mental health, bereavement, finances, childcare or work-related issues.

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Cycle Scheme or Bike Loans available

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Group Life insurance currently set at a minimum of 4x basic salary.

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Overview of Department

The Finance and Services Directorate consists of a number of key enabling function departments:

  • Finance (including Financial Accounting sub-team and Financial Planning & Analysis sub-team)

  • Procurement

  • IT

  • Workplace Services

 

Each department and sub-team bring their own technical expertise and functional specialism. Together we share a focus on adding value for our internal stakeholders.

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Job Purpose

The Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is the lead for the FP&A function and team at MSF UK, responsible for:

  • Identifying opportunities to deliver on MSF UK’s strategic financial objectives as well as opportunities for cost savings/efficiencies, maximising value for money and return on investment

  • Providing financial advice and support to support strategic decision-making through business partnering to senior leaders and budget holders

  • Leading MSF UK’s budgeting, forecasting and other financial planning processes

  • Overseeing production of accurate, timely and insightful management accounts

  • Lead continuous improvement in the FP&A function

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The Head of FP&A is a new role within a slightly restructured Finance Team. This represents MSF UK’s continued focus on developing an FP&A function. Whilst we have made significant improvements in FP&A over recent years, this is an opportunity for the Head of FP&A to shape the function for the future to meet MSF UK’s needs over the coming strategic period and to significantly contribute to MSF UK’s strategic financial objectives.

 

The FP&A Function alongside the Procurement Function will play a key role in supporting budget holders, managers and leadership to make informed decisions to achieve these financial objectives. This will be achieved in many ways, including:

  • Improving the quality of management reporting and budgeting

  • Providing insightful analysis of investment opportunities

  • Identifying opportunities for efficiency cost savings

  • Working closely and collaboratively with budget holders to align financial targets with organisational objectives

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Dimensions

Financial data: Responsible for the FP&A function which serves the whole of MSF UK: Annual income and expenses are £100million+, of which UK office expenditure is £35million+. This role is accountable for identifying opportunities to save costs and maximise income/ROI.

 

People data: This role directly manages the finance business partner (1 direct report).

 

MSF UK’s finances are complex, including:

  • Part of international movement – significant transactions with and reporting to other entities in the movement

  • Over 30 cost centres.

  • Oversight / support for FP&A function of MSF Ireland

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Organisational Structure

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Context

The Head of FP&A and their team will work very closely with the Financial Accounting team (led by Financial Controller).

 

The Head of FP&A will be part of the Finance & Services Directorate Leadership Team, who are collectively responsible for creating an effective team culture within the directorate.

 

As required, the Head of FP&A will attend CoDir meetings and Finance, Audit & Risk Committee meetings to present papers and provide assurance.

 

The Head of FP&A will establish strong relationships with colleagues across MSF UK, in particular senior leaders, managers and budget holders. They will provided advice and business partnering support.

 

The Head of FP&A will work closely with the Head of Procurement to identify opportunities for cost efficiencies / savings.

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Accountabilities

1. Strategic Financial Support

  • Provide strategic and technical support to the Fundraising team to assist the identification and implementation of opportunities to maximise income and ROI

  • Lead on the identification of opportunities for cost efficiencies and savings across the organisation; Using a deep knowledge of MSF UK’s departmental budgets and activities, combined with external research, benchmarking or other tools

  • Provide financial modelling and analysis to support strategic decision-making, including investment appraisals, cost-benefit analysis, and tracking savings versus targets

  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the charity’s financial strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational goals

  • Support funding applications and donor reporting by providing accurate, timely, and relevant financial information

  • Support the Finance Director and CoDir (senior leadership team) in identifying and managing financial risks and opportunities

 

2. Financial Planning & Forecasting

  • Lead the development and delivery of the annual budgeting process, ensuring alignment with the charity’s strategic objectives and operational priorities

  • Develop and maintain a multi-year financial plan, including long-term forecasts and scenario modelling, to support the charity’s sustainability and growth

  • Oversee the preparation of financial projections and other management accounts information submitted by MSF UK to MSF International

  • Oversee the quarterly reforecasting process, ensuring accurate and timely updates to financial plans

  • Work with the Finance Business Partner and operational teams to ensure budgets and forecasts are realistic, achievable, and owned by budget holders

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3. Financial Reporting & Analysis

  • Oversee production of the monthly management accounts, including variance analysis, key performance indicators (KPIs), and insightful commentary for senior leadership and trustees; ensuring that critical stakeholders receive relevant information on a timely basis, including identifying opportunities or concerns promptly

  • Identify and communicate trends, risks, and opportunities to inform decision-making

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4. Business Partnering

  • Act as a trusted financial advisor to senior leaders, managers, and operational teams, providing expert advice and guidance on financial planning and analysis matters

  • Work closely with the Finance Business Partner to ensure effective financial support is provided to all MSF UK’s budget holders to inform effective decision making

  • Build strong, positive relationships with stakeholders across the organisation to promote financial literacy, accountability and ownership of local budgets and financial performance

  • Support the development of business cases for new projects or initiatives, ensuring accurate financial modelling and alignment with strategic financial goals. Apply various tools such as investment appraisal techniques to better inform decision making and adopt a partner/challenger role in evaluating business plans and business cases

 

5. Leadership & Team Development

  • Line manage the Finance Business Partner, providing coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and conduct appraisals to support team members’ professional growth

  • Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture within the FP&A team, promoting innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement

  • Lead on preparing and presenting financial planning and reporting papers and presentations for the CoDir (senior leadership team), and Finance, Audit & Risk Committee

  • MSF Ireland: Provide oversight of, and support to, MSF Ireland's Financial Accounting Function including management of related risks

 

6. Systems & Process Improvement

  • Lead continuous improvement in MSF UK’s budgeting, forecasting, planning and reporting activities to better support MSF UK to deliver on its strategic financial goals

  • Identify opportunities to harness technology to improve effectiveness or efficiency of FP&A activities

 

 

7. Other

  • Work collaboratively with colleagues outside of the FP&A team to support the development of good management information across MSF UK

  • Assist and support the Financial Accounting Team as required

  • Represent the team in projects or other crossorganisational groups as required

  • Other ad hoc duties as requested

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Challenge & Creativity / Decision-making

  • Creativity and judgement to identify opportunities for cost savings and income maximisation

  • Creativity and judgment to design effective budget processes

  • Creativity and judgement to design effective reporting formats

  • Technical financial analysis of budgets, reports and business cases to support decision making

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Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  • Fully qualified accountant – CIMA, ACA, ACCA or other similar generally recognised accountancy qualification

  • Significant experience leading an FP&A function, including leading budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes

  • Experience of delivering value-add through the FP&A function via improving value for money, identifying cost savings or supporting income generation. Experience in developing and implementing financial strategies to support organisational objectives

  • Experience of providing business partnering and advice to senior leaders and trustees

  • Line management experience

  • Excellent working knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Office (in particular using Excel at a high to advanced level)

  • Experience of designing and implementing improvements to financial planning processes and systems

  • Expertise in financial modelling, scenario analysis, and the use of financial planning tools

  • Experience providing business partner support to a large fundraising department (desirable)

  • Experience of managing significant change projects (desirable)

  • Experience of preparation of non-financial performance management information and analysis (desirable)

  • Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer

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Competencies

  • Stakeholder Management - Strong interpersonal skills to work with trustees, senior leadership, and external partners. Ability to present complex financial information to nonfinancial stakeholders

  • Strategic Thinking - Ability to align financial planning with the charity's mission, vision, and long-term goals. Experience in contributing to long-term strategic planning and decision-making

  • Ability to translate financial data into actionable recommendations for both operational and strategic planning

  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and trends

  • Integrity and Accountability - Strong ethical standards and commitment to transparency in financial practices

  • Communication - Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with diverse audiences. Ability to translate financial data into clear insights for decision-makers. Skilled at producing and delivering reports to boards and committees

  • Organisation - Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

  • Creative problem-solving skills to address financial challenges and support organisational growth

 

Respect:

  a.  Invites team members and colleagues from other departments to provide input on topics of discussion and considers their               contribution and experience

  b.  Participates in and involves the team in the discussion and decision making process that may affect all team members before         the final decision is made

  c.  Values colleagues as human beings, demonstrated through equal respect for staff and beneficiaries

 

Integrity:

  a.  Acts by example, modelling the behaviour expected from team members

  b.  Seeks out and offers each team member an equal opportunity and tools to succeed

  c.  Works to achieve cohesion and a spirit of cooperation in the team

 

Humanity:

  a.  Strives to learn and get to know more about each team member in order to better understand their needs, potential and                 ascertain ways to better support and work with them

  b.  Shows interest and empathy through active listening. Is approachable: listens actively, observes and acknowledges what they         hear

  c.  Removes obstacles that may hinder potential improvements and ways of working in the team, i.e. need to expand and try               new things

 

Accountability:

  a.  Admits mistakes, misjudgements or errors and immediately informs others when unable to meet a commitment and seeks               support to do this if needed

  b.  Strives for efficiency in every aspect of their work

  c.  Demonstrates willingness, ability and readiness to change attitudes and behaviours to achieve agreed outcomes and works             with team members to ensure these are reached

 

Empowerment:

  a.  Instils acceptance and optimism in the team

  b.  Allows time and space for people to open up, take appropriate risks, leading to a sharing of knowledge and open                           communication

  c.  Ensures that team and individual objectives are well-defined, shared and acknowledged by the organisation

 

Collaboration:

Collaboration is at the centre of all we do.

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