Description

Purpose of Role

The organisation is looking for a Regional Head of Financial Planning & Analysis – Europe, reporting to the Regional Finance Director - Europe.

The individual will be responsible for the coordination, consolidation, review and challenge of management and business performance reporting, for the schools in the region, to ensure clear understanding of actual performance to expected targets.

Key Responsibilities

Management Reporting and Interpretation

• Ensure school Finance teams provide monthly accurate management reporting and KPI information is submitted in accordance with internal deadlines
• Produce a robust monthly management reporting pack, with insightful analysis and interpretation of variances, against budget expectations
• Conduct investigation and business analysis to ensure full understanding of key underlying drivers of performance
• Provide support to identify and evaluate actions to mitigate deviations from targets
• Conduct monthly calls with school, regional and group management on performance, to drive accountability and understanding of performance across the organisation
• Manage and coordinate the annual budget and bi-annually P&L forecasting process for the region, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the underlying assumptions
• Manage and coordinate the completion of long-term financial models for the region
• Manage and report monthly KPI data for enrolment and headcount
• Work with regional functional heads to ensure that data used to track and monitor performance (eg student pipeline data) is robust, accurate and able to be produced on a timely basis

Commercial Support

• Develop a business partnering approach, providing guidance and analysis to the school and regional management, to support the growth of the region
• Conduct review meetings or calls with the school and regional management to drive financial understanding and accountability of business performance
• Provide analysis and support to evaluate strategic, tactical and operational initiatives, to drive sound business decisions
• Support the schools and region in putting together annual pricing exercises, collating data and preparing submissions for discussion and review with senior management
• Assist in the completion of Capex investment papers, providing financial and analytical input
• Conduct regular review of actual expenditure for capital projects versus approved budget spend and highlight deviations
• Evaluate business and financial risks and opportunities and report any possible impact to the delivery of targets
• Provide analysis on the business profitability namely by department and activity and identify areas for improvement

Systems

• Assist in the adoption of the ISP core accounting platform, NetSuite and its management reporting tool PBCS, to facilitate efficient and consistent production of timely management information
• Provide feedback, suggestions and input from the region, to help develop the systems and facilitate efficient and consistent reporting across the region.

Onboarding

• Work closely with the ISP Group Finance Team in London to ensure that acquired schools are integrated into ISP processes and ISP reporting in a timely manner

Team Leadership

• A key finance representative for ISP in the region
• Manage the network of School Finance Managers and support financial planning processes. Help organize common processes and guide a team to perform according to deadlines
• Develop a partnering approach to the school team, providing guidance, training and support, to drive understanding and accountability for target delivery
• Ensure that financial planning and analysis capability in the region and schools is continually improved

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified accountant or finance professional, with demonstrable experience of financial planning and analysis experience in a commercial environment
• Fluent in English. Other European languages (Italian, Portuguese, Polish, French) beneficial but not essential
• Comfortable in giving direction and influencing others in the achievement of objectives
• Strong understanding of financial planning and analysis best practice for a multi-location, dispersed organisation
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at senior levels of the organisation and influence key stakeholders.
• Strong people skills and emotional intelligence
• International experience
• Flexibility and a willingness to travel across the region

International Schools Partnership

The International Schools Partnership (ISP) is creating a leading learning-centred international family of private schools that provide high quality education for 2 - 18 year olds. ISP has grown rapidly over the past 9 years and is now one of the largest schools’ groups globally and currently has 60+ schools, delivering multiple curricula and building on local brands and reputations, operating in 9 regions with ambitions to be 120 schools within 4 years.  With over 50,000 students and 9,000 staff it is a complex group and one which is growing very rapidly both through investment in its existing schools, opening new schools and through acquiring schools.  

The Europe region currently has 4 schools located in the UK, Switzerland and Italy, offering a combination of international and national curricula to nearly 1,800 students.  ISP’s operating model is to support schools through a regional team. The European regional team is located in various countries across the continent.

Our Vision is to be an international schools group of quality and scale recognised across local communities and the education sector for amazing learning, ambition and growth. We believe that successful schools are the ones that put learning first, always aiming to create rounded individuals that are able to forge successful careers and lives in a rapidly changing world. Progressively, our goal is to position our schools as the leading School of Choice in their local area.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Leadership Competencies

You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.

1. Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.

1. Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback, supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.

1. Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.

1. Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.

1. Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.

1. Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.

1. Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.

1. Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.

1. Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.

1. Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.

1. Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.

1. Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.

1. Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.

1. Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.