Finance Business Partner

About Schroders
We're a global investment manager. We help institutions, intermediaries and individuals around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future.

We have around 6,000 people on six continents. And we've been around for over 200 years, but keep adapting as society and technology changes. What doesn't change is our commitment to helping our clients, and society, prosper.

The base
We moved into our new HQ in the City of London in 2018. We're close to our clients, in the heart of the UK's financial centre. And we have everything we need to work flexibly.

The team
Based at our HQ in London, the Financial Planning and Analysis ('FP&A') team assists senior management and heads of business units with planning, strategic decision making and performance evaluation. We are enthusiastic and driven, with a strong culture and we take our work seriously. 

What you'll do
Schroders has non-compensation expenses of approximately £650 million per annum. Inflation, increasing regulation and new strategic capabilities such as Wealth Management, Private Assets and Solutions means that we need to continue to develop a deep understanding of the factors driving our cost base. We are looking to hire a talented individual as a Head of Cost Financial Planning & Analysis, with the energy and drive to partner with senior stakeholders to ensure that capital and operational expenditure is well controlled, aligned with the Group's strategic objectives and based on sound commercial decision making. Key stakeholders will include the Group CFO, Deputy COO, Global Head of Technology, Head of Business Transformation and divisional COOs.

The role reports into the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis, Asset Management. You will manage a team of 4 financial analysts, who will have the responsibility for planning and budgeting, performance reporting and analysis, and financial modelling, covering all aspects of the Group's cost base. You will add real commercial value, by developing trusted relationships with the business and by shaping strategy and financial plans. You will advance cohesion between various internal Finance teams, working closely in particular with Finance Data and Reporting teams, Compensation Accounting, Cost Accounting team and Group Reporting.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

Financial and business strategy – provide senior management with relevant and timely analysis to enable it to assess performance against the Group's strategy and objectives; develop KPIs which will be used to assess the success of business and financial strategy; use internal and external benchmarking to assist decision making; Business performance reporting – track performance against key targets and outcomes and produce regular corporate level management information to Group Management Committee members and the plc Board. Ensure that all routine change management MI contains reliable information and is carefully reviewed. Highlight trends, key actions, and strategic implications. Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to help ensure Finance is well informed and has a strong voice in the organisation; Planning, budgeting and regular forecasting – lead the annual change budget process, as well as the production of periodic re-forecasts, to ensure financial risks and opportunities are highlighted; project manage end-to-end delivery of financial change forecasting processes, including communications, timetables, and data requirements; ensure the integrity of financial models and projections through implementation of suitable controls, documentation and testing; Project reporting and investment appraisal – coordinate the capital spending review process for the Group working closely with the Group Operating Committee. This will include the financial impact of significant business change proposals/plans and helping to develop business cases; Thought leadership – become an integral member of the FP&A team helping to deliver new insights and continuous improvement Detective analytics and diagnostics – work with the Finance Data and Reporting teams to leverage our data assets by using advanced analytics, AI and other data science techniques to run exceptions analysis and to develop reporting to enhance our control environment and deliver insights.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications that will help

A background in cost FP&A and an understanding of cost drivers would be an advantage.

Qualifications and technical accounting knowledge

Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or international equivalent) would be desirable and  FP&A experience – you will likely have experience working in an FP&A role in a financial services environment.

What you'll be like

Business partnering and communication – excellent written and verbal communication skills, business acumen and commercial awareness to communicate at an advanced level with stakeholders inside the organisation is expected; Management – evidence of managing, coaching and motivating a team is important. Prioritisation – the candidate must evidence prioritising his/her team's workload and managing the team and stakeholders' expectations; Critical thinking and collaboration – the successful candidate will work side by side with senior functional stakeholders and should be influential in strategic decision making. Demonstrating strategic insight and collaborating well with other global Finance colleagues, local management and other departments will be imperative; Self-starter and autonomous working – effective, professional and proactive support for the wider business is expected. The ability to evidence this and to demonstrate initiative is important and Innovation and process enhancement – the ability to analyse data, process flows and identify areas to improve efficiency and maintain an appropriate control framework is expected. 

We recognise potential, whoever you are
Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought, facilitated by an inclusive culture, will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.