Financial Planning Lead

Full Job Description

We’re reimagining work/life balance – and you could be part of it.

At OFG, we're proud to be part of the 4-Day Working Week trial – a bold step toward giving our teams more time to recharge, refresh, and enjoy life outside of work.

That means you could be working 80% of your usual hours, while still earning 100% of your pay.

If the trial proves successful, we’ll roll out the 4DWW across the Group – making now the perfect time to join #TeamOFG and help shape the future of work.

Job Title:  Financial Planning Lead

Salary:      Up To £60,000 not pro rata (dependent on experience and qualifications)

Location:  Manchester

Contract:  Permanent 

Hours:      37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri 9-5

The role: 

We’re on a mission to transform lives through education and care, and our Finance team plays a critical role in making that happen.

As our FP&A Lead, you’ll build and lead our Financial Planning & Analysis function, working closely with the Finance Director and senior leaders across the organisation. You’ll provide insights that shape strategy, drive performance, and safeguard the financial health of Outcomes First Group as we continue to grow.

If you’re looking for the opportunity to take ownership, lead meaningful projects, and make a tangible impact in a collaborative and values-driven environment, this is the role for you.

What you'll do: 

• Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly re-forecasting processes, working with senior stakeholders to build accurate, data-driven plans.
• Build and maintain dynamic three-statement financial models to support investment decisions, run scenarios, and inform long-term strategy.
• Analyse trends, variances, and performance data, turning complex numbers into clear, actionable insights.
• Design and improve management reporting dashboards to give leaders real-time visibility of performance.
• Continuously refine FP&A processes, systems, and tools to enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Review and support forecasting across key business metrics, including SaaS KPIs.
• Partner with department heads, bringing financial data to life to enable smarter decision-making.
• Provide analysis and modelling to support growth, investor reporting, and due diligence

What we're looking for: 

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified (or equivalent).
• Experience in FP&A or a similar analytical finance role.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to influence strategy.
• Proven ability to build and manage three-statement financial models.
• Familiarity with SaaS metrics, forecasting, and reporting.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to simplify complexity for non-financial stakeholders.
• Proactive, resilient, and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Why join Outcomes First Group? 

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high quality special needs education and care. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland and Wales with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes for the people we educate and care for.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.

Our Vision

Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Our Mission

We commit to unlocking our pupils’ potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.

Our Promise

We Listen.
We never assume.

We work together.
To make the remarkable happen.

We are accountable.
To each other and for one another.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. 

All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. 

Please note: 4DWW is subject to successful completion of your probation period and is not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.