Chess Dynamics
Finance, Planning & Analysis Manager

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Role Purpose
The Finance, Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager will play a key role in supporting business growth by providing financial insight, forecasting, and strategic business partnering across the organisation. Leading a small team aligned to business functions and project teams, you will drive financial performance, improve decision-making, and ensure strong financial control across projects and operations.
You will partner with department heads, project leads, and senior stakeholders to translate commercial strategy into financial outcomes, improve forecasting accuracy, optimise profitability and cash flow, and strengthen financial understanding across the business. The role also supports month-end reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and continuous improvement of financial processes, systems, and controls.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
- Deliver insightful analysis on business, departmental, and project performance.
- Maintain financial integrity across revenue, margin, cash flow, and project reporting.
- Support commercial decisions through financial modelling, scenario analysis, and bid evaluation.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive profitability improvements.
- Produce clear, accurate management reporting and dashboards.
- Improve financial reporting, controls, systems, and forecasting processes.
- Drive simplification, automation, and continuous improvement across finance activities.
- Develop and maintain cash flow forecasting and reporting.
- Support working capital improvements and timely customer billing.
- Promote a cash-positive approach across projects and operations.
- Lead, coach, and develop the FP&A team.
- Build strong relationships across finance, commercial, engineering, and operations teams.
- Improve financial awareness and accountability across the business.
- Support a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on growth and continuous improvement.
- Support year-end audit requirements.
- Provide ad hoc analysis and support to the Finance Director and senior leadership team.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Skills & Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience.
- Strong FP&A and commercial finance experience, ideally within manufacturing, engineering, or project-based environments.
- Knowledge of IFRS and revenue recognition preferred.
- Experience leading and developing teams.
- Strong analytical, financial modelling, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and communicate financial information clearly.
Personal Attributes
- Demonstrates our company values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Courage.
- Hands-on manager that is self-motivated and proactive member of a Finance team with a commitment to getting the job done.
- Highly organised and methodical approach, with an eye for detail.
- Dedicated to furthering the standards of the department and finding solutions that fit the business.
- Able to cope with change and conflicting demands.
- Good personal time management and priority setting and comfortable working to deadlines.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and written skills being able to clearly explain financial information and terminology to non-technical parties.
- Change-driven, decisive, adaptable, and resilient.
- Inspires others to achieve.
- Learns and shares knowledge.


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Work Life Balance
- 37.5 hour working week
- Lunchtime finishes on a Friday
- Hybrid / flexible working arrangements
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Christmas closure
- Holiday purchasing scheme
Benefits
- Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 5%
- Income protection scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme gives you and your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service, and physiotherapy consultations
- Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling and probate helpline
- Company shares incentive plan and save as you earn scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app and the addition of mental health support for all employees. Plus, regular activities across our sites to support and promote wellbeing
- Regular sports and social activities
- Gym membership discounts
- Reward platform (high street discounts, employee benefits, health, and wellbeing offerings).
- Recruitment referral bonus scheme
- Excellent learning & development opportunities
- Great working environment with free, onsite car parking across all our locations
Security Clearance Requirements
Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.
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