Job Description

aberdeen group plc is one the world’s largest investment companies, and we are built on a long-standing culture of caring about the future and making a positive impact. Together we invest for a better future. We do it to make a difference to the lives of our clients and customers, our employees, society, and our shareholders.

Our strategy is to build a vibrant and value-creating purpose-led organisation, with the current and future needs of our stakeholders at the heart of all we do.

The Finance function is led by the Chief Financial Officer and comprises three specialist, centralised teams, and three business-focused commercial teams, supported by a small CFO Office to run the function.

• Business CFO teams – are responsible for supporting Business CEOs by driving the commercial agenda of the business and rely on the other areas to produce core materials.

• Group Finance Control, Performance & Planning – responsible for all external reporting activity (group, statutory and regulatory) with the goal to produce high quality reporting materials, on time and reflective of best practice.  Oversight and development of the Finance control environment also sits here, together with the management of the relationship with external audit and the Audit Committee. In addition, responsible for all performance and planning activities centrally for the group, including coordination of planning, forecasting, quarterly business reviews.  Coordination with investor relations, which reports to the CEO, also sits here.

• Capital and Tax – responsible for running all capital and tax matters centrally for the whole group, as a global, specialist function.

• Finance Operations – responsible for all processing and production activity is centralised here, largely on an outsourced basis.  The goal is to combine maximum efficiency and increasing automation with robust controls. All P&L, balance sheet and ledger control activity, including outsourced oversight, is brought together here.

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who has experience in FP&A at a Group level in complex organisations, or with detailed experience in Asset Management or Wealth Management, with an excellent understanding of financial markets.

The role is to provide 'real time' commercial insight and analytics, be a trusted adviser to the Group CFO, Group Financial Controller, Director of Group FP&A, Technology exec, Functional Heads and Segment CFOs and successfully influence business decisions to maximise shareholder value and customer outcomes. It is this mix of analytical, commercial and communication skills which are at the heart of our successful finance function.

As Head of Business Performance, you will work closely at a senior level with Finance colleagues and key business stakeholders to own and develop FP&A processes, delivering critical MI, challenge, and planning and forecasting outputs. The role holder will bring consistency of processes, analysis and insight across aberdeen group Finance, providing timely and high-quality outputs in terms of content, structure and format.

As the Head of Strategic Costs, you will need to leverage the digitally enabled commercial cost insight and analytics to support delivery of aberdeen group’s strategy and be a trusted business partner to the Functional Heads (including Technology). With a strong strategic and commercial focus and mind-set, you will work closely with the Functions & Technology businesses to build a bridge through to all Finance reporting and forecasting, creating a real and active strategic partnership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support delivery of overall FP&A processes, delivering critical MI, challenge, and commercially focussed planning and forecasting outputs

• Support and develop robust monthly reporting and forecasts, engaging and collaborating across Segments, Functions and Finance teams as required

• Support the functional cost allocation process ensuring compliance with transfer pricing guidelines and consumption-based charging methodology

• Significant and noticeable step change in the quality, impact and timing of Plans and Forecasts as well as monthly and quarterly Business Performance reporting

• Provide analysis and insight that links financials to business strategies

• Building and maintaining key partner and customer relationships, while challenging and influencing the business to maximise potential (Identify growth opportunities and key risks to performance)

• Continuous and proactive review of markets, competitors and strategy to inform forecasts including all financial opportunities and risks

• Proactively supporting the transformation of FP&A and Finance to ensure a ‘future fit’ platform with appropriate governance, controls and functionality

• Ensuring delivery of not just the ‘WHATs’ but also ‘HOW’, contributing to a material shift in the Finance culture

• Be a role model to demonstrate the key behaviours expected in Finance

About the candidate

The role will require a highly impactful, credible individual to influence effectively at Senior Management level in a complex global business.  Skills will need to include:

• Asset management or financial services background essential, with sound knowledge and experience of FP&A, ideally within an Asset Manager/ Wealth Manager

• Understanding of financial systems and processes (Power BI & Anaplan experience preferable)

• Proven commercial acumen with strong communication skills

• Excellent analytical ability with good attention to detail, prepared to roll up the sleeves to understand the complex drivers of the business

• Strong time management skills, ability to prioritise workload and operate to strict reporting deadlines

• Demonstrate credibility with stakeholders (relationships, influence and confidence)

• Experience of leading and implementing change

We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment.  We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance.  We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone.

If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.