Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

Head of Financial Planning and Analysis : The Role:

We are seeking an ambitious individual to join our team as the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, who is looking to push forward their career in a high-performing finance team. As a relatively small finance team of 13 people, the cultural fit is extremely important.

The role will report directly to the Finance Director but will also work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and the rest of the senior management team across all functions. This role will be responsible for managing a team of three to deliver all financial reporting and analysis workstreams across the business, as well as business-partnering with department heads to provide insightful and timely analysis to ensure good strategic decision-making across the business.

This role is a great opportunity to join an ambitious, private-equity-backed growth business and learn from an experienced management team. The role will involve regular contact with senior management and is critical to the future success of the Group.

This role calls for a curious and proactive individual who is motivated to effect positive change and is equally comfortable working with structured data as well as navigating ambiguity or incomplete information.

The role will be based at our Head Office in Teddington, Middlesex, conveniently located right next to the train station.

Head of Financial Planning and Analysis: Key Areas of Responsibility

Team Management

• Leading, motivating, and supporting the team to achieve individual and collective goals, while fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Effectively delegating tasks and developing team members' skills to build capability and confidence within the team.
• Business Partnering:
• Partnering with department heads, ensuring that decision-making is based on sound financials.
• Delivering timely and accurate reporting to optimise the effectiveness of all departments.

Regular analysis and reporting:

• Full ownership of all weekly/monthly reporting processes, including reporting on sales, margin and labour costs.
• Management of our Tableau reporting suite and data feeds.
• Attend weekly trading meetings to report on key sales metrics and key factors impacting sales. Partner with and support department heads on sales-driving actions.
• Understand and challenge weekly labour results. Lead the weekly labour calls to support and challenge the operations team.

• Working closely with the CEO and procurement team on regular menu modelling
• Monthly overview of Group margins and key trends impacting the results
• Attend monthly margin meetings and bring insight and challenge to the team
• Supporting commercial negotiations with suppliers across all cost areas to ensure we manage our costs effectively.

Budgets:

• End-to-end responsibility for the Group's annual budget process, working closely with the FD
• Preparation of budget packs and board presentations for all stakeholders, both internally and externally
• Management of all budget data and re-budgeting of sites throughout the year as appropriate, including new site openings and investments.

Board Reporting:

• Manage the monthly board reporting process to coordinate reporting streams from each department head into a central board report.
• Analysis work with other members of the senior management team to drive commercial decisions and board strategy.

Investments and Ad Hoc Analysis:

• Manage investment appraisals for new site acquisitions, including financials and demographic analysis.
• Other ad hoc analysis with senior management across the business.

Head of Financial Planning and Analysis: The Ideal Candidate:

• Excellent academic record. Qualified accountant with 3-5+ years PQE experience
• Previous experience in financial analysis is essential with excellent attention to detail.
• Prior experience in private equity–backed businesses is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Commercially minded with an ability to look at the bigger strategic picture
• Proven ability to drive change, working with multiple stakeholders
• A self-starter and able to work with changing priorities and time pressures
• Highly motivated with the ability to work independently or in a team environment and drive results
• Experience of managing multiple projects and delivering to a deadline
• Excellent Excel skills
• Previous experience would be beneficial (but not essential):
• • Tableau BI tool
  • Multi-site businesses
  • Hospitality sector

Head of Financial Planning and Analysis: What’s in it for you:

• Competitive salary
• Head Office Bonus ( up to 10% of salary )
• The Pantry – 100’s of retailers and experience discounts through Reward Gateway
• 50% off food in all Heartwood Collection Sites
• Friends and Family discount of 20% off food at all Hearwood Collection Sites
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity package
• 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional holiday- option to buy an extra 5 days holiday per year
• A thoughtful gift to celebrate your birthday
• Employee Assistance Program with Hospitality Action
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Company pension
• Instant access to pay you have already earned through EarlyPay

Company Overview

Heartwood Collection operates within the premium casual dining market in the UK. The Group comprises two award winning formats: Brasserie Blanc, the French brasserie business inspired by Raymond Blanc and Heartwood Inns, a quality pub dining and rooms business. The company was acquired by Alchemy Partners (a £1 billion fund) in February 2022 and is on an exciting growth journey. The Group currently owns 50 sites and forecasts to triple profits via new site openings over the course of the plan – this will make the business one of the fastest growing UK hospitality groups. We are focusing on the pub side of the business with particular regard to sites with rooms. The rooms concept is a new and exciting business venture for the Group and by the end of 2026 we will be operating in excess of 300 bedrooms.