Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools
FP&A Manager
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FP&A Manager
Location: Remote with regular travel to our Swindon Hub and settings within the Group
Salary: c£70,000
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
About Happy Days
Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.
We're looking for an experienced FP&A Manager to lead our financial planning and analysis function, providing the insight, forecasting, and commercial guidance that drives strategic decision-making across our expanding nursery portfolio.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with the Finance Director, senior leaders, and PE sponsors in a business that is growing through acquisition and committed to delivering exceptional early years education and care.
You'll be at the heart of the organisation, transforming data into meaningful insight, challenging assumptions, identifying opportunities, and helping shape our future growth strategy.
What You'll Be Doing
As FP&A Manager, you'll:
- Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process across the group.
- Develop and maintain rolling forecasts, long-term financial plans, and scenario models.
- Provide insightful analysis of performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Create KPI dashboards and management information that support business decision-making.
- Support PE sponsor reporting, covenant compliance, and board reporting.
- Lead financial modelling for acquisitions, investments, and strategic projects.
- Build business cases for growth initiatives, capital expenditure, and operational improvements.
- Partner closely with finance and operational leaders to ensure plans remain aligned with business objectives.
- Drive improvements in data quality, reporting automation, and analytical capability.
- Manage and develop the FP&A Analyst, helping build a high-performing finance function.
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Leading and Supporting Others
You'll lead and support an analyst and:
- Set clear expectations and coach, develop and support them to do their best work.
- Manage workloads and make sure deadlines are met.
- Hold regular one-to-one meetings and performance reviews.
- Build a positive, supportive, and collaborative culture.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for a qualified finance professional with strong experience in FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling who can turn complex data into clear commercial insights. You'll be a confident business partner, able to influence stakeholders at all levels while supporting strategic growth and decision-making.
You'll:
- Be ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified, or have equivalent accounting qualification.
- Significant experience in FP&A, financial planning, commercial finance, or business analysis.
- Strong experience leading budgets, forecasts, and financial modelling.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience working with financial systems and reporting tools.
- Ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable business insight.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Commercially minded with a proactive and analytical approach.
Desirable:
- Experience within a multi-site or multi-entity business.
- Exposure to private equity-backed environments.
- Acquisition modelling, due diligence, or M&A experience.
- Experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, VBA, or Python.
- Knowledge of the early years, childcare, education, or similar sectors.
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What We Offer
This is more than a finance role. You'll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, support an ambitious growth agenda, and make a meaningful impact on a business that helps children thrive.
We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive. This role will also provide exposure to senior leadership and PE stakeholders, along with opportunities to lead high-profile strategic projects.
Learning and Development
- Ongoing professional development.
- Support with accounting CPD requirements.
- Opportunities to grow your career.
Health and Wellbeing
- Mental health and wellbeing support.
- Generous annual leave from day one.
Financial Benefits
- People's Pension.
- Life assurance.
Ready to Apply?
Closing Date: 18th September
Interview Dates: 21st September to 2nd October
First Stage: 21st September to 25th September
Second Stage: 28th September to 2nd October
If you're a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys turning data into strategy and wants to play a leading role in a growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Inclusion and Safeguarding
Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.
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