Regional FPA Analyst

International Schools Partnership Ltd

Position: Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst (FP&A) - Iberia

Location: Madrid or Malaga

Purpose of Role

The Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst (FP&A) – Iberia provides direction, information, support, guidance and training to the local finance teams, working closely with them, to successfully complete management reporting and financial planning and analysis tasks, for the Iberia region, which are:

-          to support in the coordination, consolidation, review and challenge of management and business performance reporting, for the schools in the Iberia region

-          to support in the production of financial information and analysis and provide conclusions to allow management to make strategic and operational decisions. 

-          to provide information, support, guidance and training to the regional management and the school finance teams to successfully perform their tasks, namely to ensure effective communication and clear understanding of management reporting, key performance indicators and analysis against budgeted targets to the school, regional and group Management;

The Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst (FP&A) – Iberia reports into the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) – Iberia. The Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst (FP&A) – Iberia is a member of the Regional Team.

Key Responsibilities

Management Reporting, Analysis and Interpretation: -

• Work closely with the Regional Financial Controller for Iberia, to ensure all schools report timely and accurate management reporting information, and KPI data, into the NetSuite transaction and consolidation system, in accordance with internal deadlines.
• Prepare, review, understand and challenge monthly school management performance reporting and commentary, comparing actual P&L performance to budget, forecast (when applicable) and prior year.
• Produce a monthly regional consolidated management reporting pack on a full year proforma basis, showing actual performance versus budget/forecast and prior year.
• Ensure accurate, useful and insightful analysis and interpretation of P&L and KPI variances, to allow senior management, to assess performance and make strategic business decisions.
• Ensure completion of additional supporting analysis as required, on a monthly, quarterly and/or annual basis, to satisfy ISP’s Group internal reporting requirements.
• Collect, consolidate, interpret and distribute regular KPI reports, providing enrolment and staffing data and trends. Ensure KPI data is verified back to source systems and/or documentation.
• Support Regional Head of Admissions in the annual target setting for school enrolments and monitor progress throughout the enrolment process.
• Manage and coordinate the annual budgeting and annual forecasting process for the region and schools, in accordance with internal deadlines. Review and challenge submissions to ensure reasonable based on past performance and current trends.
• Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the assumptions, underlying the school/regional budgets and annual forecasts, including key data assumptions and performance indicators, such as student enrolments, employees, fee increases, fee discounts, inflation, capital investments etc.
• Prepare capital investment plans and associated funding requests for review by the Regional team and for approval by the Group.
• Monitor approved Capex investment plan assumptions against actual expenditure monthly and highlight deviations from approved spend.
• Support in the annual process of adjusting tuition and non-tuition fee increases.
• Ad hoc tasks and responsibilities, as required by the role.

Financial and Reporting Systems: -

• Work closely with the regional and school teams to evaluate how the Financial Systems can be developed to facilitate an efficient reporting process across the region.
• PBCS Implementation, Administration & Support. Organise and coordinate training as required 

Regional Partnering and Commercial Support: -

• Develop a regional partnering approach, providing guidance, advisory support and analysis to the school finance and school management teams, to support the ongoing development and growth of the Iberia region.
• Participate in review calls, or face to face meetings, where possible, with the school finance and school management teams, to provide an overall understanding of matters impacting school or regional performance against budgets, forecasts and year and over performance.
• Ensure full understanding of the key underlying drivers of the performance and provide support in evaluating actions to mitigate deviations from targets.
• Support the regional management teams in acquisition and finance integration matters for acquired schools in the Iberia region.
• Understand and consolidate a regular summary of business and financial risks and opportunities, which could impact the delivery of the financial targets and forecasts.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Professional Qualified Accountant
• 5 years+ of Financial Reporting experience, preferably in a multi-currency environment
• Prior experience in using the NetSuite/PBCS applications or any other ERP systems would be advantageous
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications is needed (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to build good working relationships with all members and levels of the organization
• A methodical, highly organized approach to the execution of assigned tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail, strong writing, interpersonal and communication skills
• Positive, proactive, passionate, personable, results orientated, ambitious professional, who is keen to progress within a global organization
• Cross-functional teamwork experience
• Up-to-date International Technical Accounting Standard knowledge
• Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish a requirement. Additional language skills an advantage
• Diplomacy and consensus building skills to establish trust and credibility
• Ability to handle confidential information with maturity and discretion
• Capacity to take initiative and solve problems with minimal supervision
• Previous experience of staff supervision and management
• Ability to travel overseas occasionally
• Previous experience working in the education sector would be an advantage, but not essential

Key Relationships

To be successful in this position, the Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst (FP&A) must build strong working relationships with the following groups:

• Regional Finance team
• Finance and Management teams in each school in the region
• Regional and school Admissions & Marketing teams
• Group Management Reporting team in London

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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
5. Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
6. Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
7. 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.
8. Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.
9. Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.
10. Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.
11. Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.
12. Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.
13. Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.
14. 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.