Senior Financial Planning and Reporting Manager

Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) are partnering with Robertson Bell in the recruitment of a Senior Financial Planning and Reporting Manager on a permanent basis. Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for England. We currently regulate 200+ awarding organisations, and approx. 11,600 certified qualifications. These include GCSEs, AS and A levels, and a broad range of vocational and technical qualifications. Regulating on behalf of students of all ages and apprentices is central to how we fulfil our statutory objectives.

The post holder will lead and manage the Financial Planning and Reporting team and will work closely with key internal colleagues, other governmental departments, and external bodies to ensure that Ofqual’s resources, financial or otherwise, are utilised efficiently. You will lead Ofqual’s financial planning in alignment with, and delivery of the medium-term business plan, tracking progress and taking pro-active steps to ensure corporate objectives are met. It will provide timely reporting and analysis enabling budget holders to manage their areas of responsibility and will be the expert in Ofqual’s business processes to advance programme, strategic and operational initiatives efficiently.

In this Senior Financial Planning and Reporting Manager role, you will:

• Produce, analyse and report on, within agreed timescales, monthly management accounts and the Finance Report incorporating the latest forecast position
• Manage and report on cash flow (by investigating variances and resolving areas of risk as far as possible)
• Monitor and ensure financial analysis and reporting is maintained and developed in all key Income, Pay and Non-pay areas (with a key focus on contribution and compliance)
• Lead and manage the budget and reforecast setting and monitoring processes and the generation of the medium and long-term financial plan within the planning cycle, ensuring that it delivers financial targets and incorporates all activities the organisation is, or is planning to be, involved in
• Work closely with all budget holders and staff with financial / procurement responsibility routinely (e.g. regular and ad hoc reviews) to ensure that spending is controlled and remains within the agreed budget at all times
• Collaborate with the Senior Financial Operations and Compliance Manager to manage all internal and external auditing activities across the organisation relating to financial controls, systems and processes and specifically ensure compliance with Financial Regulations
• Control, monitor and report on all project expenditure to key stakeholders against the relevant programme budget / allocation on a routine basis

The successful candidate will have:

• A full CCAB or equivalent qualification.
• A minimum of two years’ experience of budget setting, forecasting and financial reporting within an organisation of similar or greater complexity and size to that of Ofqual.
• Demonstrable experience of leading a finance team, with proven ability to lead by example, inspire, motivate and develop staff and manage performance.
• A successful track record of working with stakeholders to develop and maintain effective, open and productive working relationships.
• Ability to use Microsoft Excel proficiently including advanced skills (e.g. vlookup, sumif, countif, and creating and manipulating pivot tables).

Applications will be under continuous review before the closing date, so please submit your CV to our exclusive search agent Robertson Bell ASAP to avoid disappointment.