Head of Group Business Planning and Performance

at  Lowell Group

Summary
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Job Description
Head of Group Business Planning & Performance
Location: Leeds, Thorpe Park, Hybrid working.
At Lowell, we value togetherness. And that’s what enables us to drive onwards as a company, as a team, and as individuals, together. Because together, we go further.
Our mission is to make credit work better for all. Based in Yorkshire, with offices across Europe, we’re a leading credit management company. We buy lots of different kinds of debts and give our customers the tools to pay them off in practical and affordable ways. We understand that every person’s situation is different. And every year, we help thousands of people take control of their debts.
The Head of Group Business Planning & Performance is responsible for all aspects of Group Financial Planning together with providing recommendations on complex commercial and operational performance and project performance analysis.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

• Be part of a team that Drives & Coordinates the Group financial planning processes including the annual budget and any subsequent rolling forecasts / wholesale forecasts, being both the glue that holds the process together across multiple regions/functions but also the numerical focus to ensure we deliver the right result
• An ability to conceptualise and understand the key value drivers to provide insight and drive opportunities.
• Oversee and understand material group programmes and contribute to their success through insight and robust challenge
• Intellectual and versatile capacity for valuable ad-hoc work, including scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and other important analysis to support discussions both internally and with investors/bondholders/the market
• Using data and reporting from the wider business and BSU to drive strong, value-adding insight and challenge to the business. Drive and shape regional performance sessions and budgeting/forecasting insight
• To review all P&L movements and ensure that we can explain and justify key deviations to budget and forecast
• Identify the need for new information and analysis, developing proactive ‘thought pieces’ using built-up group-wide business knowledge and expertise

What we need from you:

• Extensive experience in financial performance and analysis
• Experience in Power BI and Oracle would be advantageous
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, graphic), Intellectual flexibility to handle difficult concepts and queries from senior stakeholders both written and in person in real time
• Deep understanding of leveraged PE-backed businesses, preferably in the Financial Services / CMS sector, with a strong interest in how the business generates value.
• Experience in commercial finance management, forecasting, and modelling using technology platforms.
• Thorough comprehension of financial reports and financial data, including business KPIs.
• Experience in operating services across multiple countries (preferably existing Lowell countries) or with the ability to quickly grasp country/regional differences.

A mission that gives back:
You’ll also have lots of opportunities to make an impact on your personal development. At Lowell we have a big focus on helping our colleagues develop their careers and grow with us, together.
So, whatever your culture, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, or disability status, if you’re ready to help us make credit work better for all, we think you’ll fit right in.
Our people are our strength, so we build strong teams thriving with diverse voices, and offer benefits that can keep our people strong.

That means…

• A competitive salary.
• A discretionary annual bonus for a job well done.
• 3% flexible benefits; pick additional benefits or take as cash each month. Whether this is extra holiday or dental cover there will be something for you.
• We are committed to a hybrid working environment, where we will ask you to work in our Leeds office, which will be based in Thorpe Park. Our new purpose-built office to support collaborative working and those meaningful moments you’ll only get from being in the office.
• Free parking when you are in the office and when working from home, you’ll be fully equipped with everything you’ll need to be successful.
• 28 days holiday plus public holidays with the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days.
• Life assurance & Group income protection
• A fantastic culture with more little perks along the way including, self-development opportunities, recognition awards and on-site facilities to support the varying needs of our colleagues.
• Wellbeing support and a programme of webinars and classes geared towards mindfulness.

• Be part of a team that Drives & Coordinates the Group financial planning processes including the annual budget and any subsequent rolling forecasts / wholesale forecasts, being both the glue that holds the process together across multiple regions/functions but also the numerical focus to ensure we deliver the right result
• An ability to conceptualise and understand the key value drivers to provide insight and drive opportunities.
• Oversee and understand material group programmes and contribute to their success through insight and robust challenge
• Intellectual and versatile capacity for valuable ad-hoc work, including scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and other important analysis to support discussions both internally and with investors/bondholders/the market
• Using data and reporting from the wider business and BSU to drive strong, value-adding insight and challenge to the business. Drive and shape regional performance sessions and budgeting/forecasting insight
• To review all P&L movements and ensure that we can explain and justify key deviations to budget and forecast
• Identify the need for new information and analysis, developing proactive ‘thought pieces’ using built-up group-wide business knowledge and expertis