Financial Planning and Analysis Manager - Higher Education 

Permanent 

Considering candidates across Belfast, UK and Manila, Philippines. 

Please note: Strong preference for hybrid working but remote candidates will also be considered.

About the Role

Are you a strategic thinker with a strong financial background, adept at partnering across diverse teams to deliver business results? 

Pearson is seeking a Financial Planning and Analysis Manager to support our Higher Education Business that will involve both strong individual performance and ability to lead and support team. 

In this role, you will act as a trusted FP&A partner to the Higher Education division, delivering financial insights, planning and forecasting and contributing to strategic decision-making across P&L and Balance Sheet. You will also lead a small team of finance professionals in multilocation and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment where innovation and collaboration drive success.

Key Responsibilities

Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting:

Track program financials, including costs and benefits, to update budgets and forecasts. Deliver accurate business case analyses to guide strategic planning.

Financial Analysis:

Analyse key value drivers, risks, and outcomes to support decision-making across Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet  Present financial results and recommendations to senior leadership teams.

Investment Analysis

Evaluate Higher Education investments, ensuring alignment with long-term goals. Communicate analysis clearly to non-finance professionals to drive cost-saving decisions.

Business Partnering

Work closely with business partners to build trusted relationship 

Cost Management:

Collaborate on business cases to identify cost reduction opportunities. Prepare analysis to challenge costs and enable informed decision-making.

People Management:

Lead, develop, and motivate a team of finance professionals. Conduct regular development reviews and foster an environment of positive change.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Qualified Accountant or qualified by experience with demonstrable experience is essential Team management experience in a multi-national matrix organization. Deep accounting knowledge Expertise in financial modelling, investment analysis, and cost management. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership and non-finance stakeholders. Experience in change management, process optimization, and risk mitigation. Proficiency in conducting financial analysis in alignment with strategic business goals. Fluent in English.

Your rewards & benefits   

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families, too. 

Your dedicated talent partner will go though these with you in detail. 

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