Outcomes First Group
Lead FP&A Analyst
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In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Job Title: Financial Planning & Analysis Lead
Location: Hybrid – Bolton (2 days per week office-based)
Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Please note: UK applicants only | No sponsorship available
About us
Outcomes First Group is the UK's largest independent provider of specialist education and care. Through our divisional brands, we work across education, care and children's services to deliver high-quality support and improve outcomes for children and young people.
As we continue to grow, we're looking for an experienced and commercially minded Financial Planning & Analysis Lead to provide strategic financial insight, challenge and support to senior leadership across our UK business.
About the Role
This is a high-impact role within our Finance function, responsible for leading financial planning, forecasting, analysis and performance reporting across the UK business.
You'll act as a trusted financial adviser to senior leadership, translating complex financial information into clear, commercially focused insight that supports strategic decision-making, operational performance and sustainable growth.
You'll take ownership of the annual budgeting process and lead quarterly forecasting cycles, while developing financial models, scenario analysis and reporting solutions to help the business understand performance, identify risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions.
You'll play a key role in driving financial accountability, improving planning and reporting processes, and strengthening the use of data and automation across the business.
We're looking for a commercially astute FP&A professional who is confident challenging and influencing senior stakeholders and can turn financial data into meaningful recommendations and action.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the production of financial reporting, performance analysis and management information for senior stakeholders.
- Provide clear and compelling commentary on financial performance, identifying key risks, opportunities, trends and drivers of variance.
- Deliver actionable financial insight to support strategic decision-making and operational excellence.
- Own and lead the UK annual budgeting process, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, operational plans and Group objectives.
- Lead the quarterly forecasting cycle, working collaboratively across Finance and Business Intelligence.
- Develop and maintain robust financial models and scenario analysis to support growth initiatives, investment decisions and strategic projects.
- Monitor financial performance against plan and recommend corrective actions where required.
- Challenge and influence operational and finance leaders, driving accountability and ownership of financial outcomes.
- Act as a trusted financial adviser and strategic partner to senior operational leaders.
- Translate complex financial information into clear, meaningful insights for non-financial stakeholders.
- Partner with the Business Intelligence team to develop automated reporting solutions, dashboards and scorecards.
- Drive continuous improvement across planning, forecasting and reporting through effective use of systems, automation and data-led solutions.
- Support the development and implementation of new reporting and planning tools.
- Provide high-quality ad-hoc analysis and strategic financial support to the UK CFO, Head of FP&A and senior leadership team.
- Support financial accountability across the business by helping leaders understand their performance, risks and opportunities.
- Deliver financial guidance, training and coaching to non-financial stakeholders where required.
- Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing Finance culture focused on continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
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Experience, Skills & Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or qualified by experience with significant FP&A expertise.
- Demonstrable experience leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes within a complex organisation.
- Advanced financial modelling and analytical capability, with the ability to translate data into commercial insight and recommendations.
- Strong commercial acumen, with proven experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving performance improvement.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and effectively.
- Highly proficient in Excel, PowerPoint and financial reporting tools.
- Strong attention to detail combined with the ability to maintain a strategic, big-picture perspective.
- Confident working with senior stakeholders and challenging assumptions constructively.
- Strong ability to identify trends, risks and opportunities and translate these into actionable recommendations.
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Desirable
- Experience with Planning Analytics, Cognos, Power BI, Tableau or similar reporting and planning platforms.
- Knowledge of financial systems, automation tools and data visualisation techniques.
- Experience supporting business transformation, system implementation or reporting automation initiatives.
- Experience working within education, healthcare, social care or another complex, multi-site organisation.
Why Join Us?
You’ll be joining a growing organisation where you can make a real impact as part of a collaborative and supportive Finance team, contributing to meaningful work across our services.
Outcomes First Group is the UK’s largest independent provider of high-quality special needs education, operating across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools, and Momenta Connect.
By joining our central teams, you’ll help shape strategy, provide expert support, and drive continuous improvement across a growing organisation renowned for quality, impact, and innovation. We value collaboration, professionalism, and creativity, offering the opportunity to influence change at scale while staying true to our core values of care, aspiration, and inclusion.
Benefits
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with flexible contribution options
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental and physical health support
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Flexible benefits via Vista (Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, discounts, critical illness cover, and more)
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS check.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of suitable applications is received. Outcomes First Group is committed to a fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed, we do not accept liability for any loss of earnings or costs incurred due to delays or changes in compliance processes. All stages are subject to safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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