Assistant Finance Manager (AFM) - Financial Planning, Analysis & Reporting

Overview

The Assistant Finance Manager (AFM) plays a critical role in strengthening and elevating the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) function within the organization. Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager, the role is responsible for driving budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, management reporting, business performance analysis, and strategic decision support across the Facilities Management and Real Estate portfolio.

The AFM will work closely with operational, commercial, and senior leadership teams to provide financial insights that support business growth, profitability, operational efficiency, and financial resilience. The role requires strong analytical capabilities, advanced financial modelling expertise, and the ability to partner effectively with stakeholders to drive informed business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Lead the annual budgeting, periodic forecasting, and long-range planning processes across business units and contracts.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance robust financial models to support strategic planning, business growth initiatives, investment decisions, and scenario analysis.
• Analyze business performance against budgets, forecasts, and prior periods, identifying key drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Conduct profitability analysis by business unit, service line, project, property, and client contract.
• Support pricing reviews, contract evaluations, tender submissions, and commercial decision-making through detailed financial analysis.
• Perform scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to assess financial impacts of business decisions and market conditions.
• Monitor and report on key financial and operational KPIs to support performance management.

Management Reporting & Business Insights

• Lead the preparation and enhancement of monthly management reports, financial dashboards, and executive performance packs.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and insightful MIS reporting for senior management and key stakeholders.
• Deliver meaningful analysis of revenue, margins, operating costs, utilization, productivity, and profitability trends.
• Prepare presentations and financial reports for leadership meetings, business reviews, and board discussions.
• Drive continuous improvement in reporting frameworks and management information systems.

Business Partnering

• Partner with operational, commercial, procurement, and property management teams to improve financial visibility and performance.
• Support operational leaders in managing budgets, cost control initiatives, and profitability targets.
• Provide financial guidance and challenge assumptions to improve decision-making and resource allocation.
• Support business growth initiatives through financial analysis and commercial evaluations.
• Assist stakeholders in identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost optimization.

Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Prepare and monitor short-term and long-term cash flow forecasts.
• Analyze working capital performance, including receivables, payables, and contract-related cash flows.
• Support initiatives to improve cash collection, liquidity management, and overall financial resilience.
• Identify and monitor financial risks affecting business performance and cash flow.

Financial Controls & Process Improvement

• Strengthen financial controls, governance, and data integrity across planning and reporting processes.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, financial procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance reporting efficiency, accuracy, and automation.
• Support optimization of financial systems and reporting tools to improve decision support capabilities.
• Contribute to the continuous development of FP&A best practices and performance management frameworks.

Systems & Data Analytics

• Utilize Microsoft Dynamics ERP to support financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and business performance analysis.
• Leverage financial and operational data to develop meaningful insights and recommendations.
• Support the enhancement of reporting and dashboard capabilities through automation and data visualization tools.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to improve data quality, reporting accuracy, and information accessibility.

Team Development & Leadership

• Support the Senior Finance Manager and Director Finance in developing finance team capabilities and promoting a high-performance culture.
• Mentor junior finance team members in financial analysis, reporting, and financial modelling.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and knowledge sharing within the finance function.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong FP&A experience within Facilities Management, Real Estate, Property Management, Construction, Contracting, or related industries.
• Financial modelling, forecasting, budgeting, and business performance analysis skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency, including:
• Complex formulas and functions
• Financial modelling
• Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts
• Dashboard development
• Data analysis and scenario modelling
• Strong understanding of financial statements, cash flow management, working capital, and profitability analysis.
• Strong accounting, hands on experience, finalization of results, statutory reporting
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics ERP or any good ERP
• Knowledge of Power BI and data visualization tools is a strong advantage.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and commercial acumen.
• Ready to do automations
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict reporting deadlines.
• Proactive and solutions-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and business value creation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 4–6 years of progressive experience in FP&A, management reporting, business analysis, or finance business partnering roles.
• Experience within Facilities Management, Real Estate, Property Management, Construction, or related sectors is preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, and advanced financial modelling.
• Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA, CMA, CFA, or equivalent) completed Must.
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics ERP is highly desirable.
• Hands on with Excel and can handle heavy data files and churn out insightful outputs.

Reporting Line

Reports directly to the Senior Finance Manager and collaborates closely with business leaders, operational teams, commercial stakeholders, and senior management.

Growth & Development Opportunities

• Opportunity to play a key role in advancing the organization's FP&A and business partnering capabilities.
• Exposure to strategic planning, commercial finance, contract profitability analysis, and business transformation initiatives.
• Development of leadership, stakeholder management, and commercial decision-support skills.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to the organization's growth, profitability, and financial resilience.
• Pathway to Manager and Senior Finance Manager roles available based on contributions and achievement