Head of Financial Planning & Analysis - Permanent - Canada Life Europe

Role Overview

Based in Dublin, we are seeking to hire a dynamic, experienced Head of Financial, Planning & Analysis (FP&A) for CLE. In this role you will be responsible for the FP&A Team that will deliver insightful support, expertise, and action focused management information to our local (Germany and Ireland) and Canadian-parent leadership teams. The role will also focus on driving FP&A technology to support delivering value to the business in an efficient manner. 

Reporting to CLE’s CFO, you will be responsible for the delivery of financial performance information (eg sales, earnings, costs, asset flows) to the Senior Leadership Team, Board and our parent company to support and drive the division’s growth and efficiency ambitions. You will be responsible for the company’s budget and forecasting processes delivering actionable insights and ensuring consistency with the overall strategic goals of the business.
 

What you will help us to achieve

This role will lead, develop and oversee the financial planning and analysis, management and the associated governance of the organisation ensuring alignment to key organisational objectives:

Reporting:

• Own the analysis of actual results for the company and analyse financial performance against established budgets and provide action orientated insights.
• Own the delivery of the company’s annual budget and periodic forecasting processes delivering key insights and ensuring consistency with the overall strategic goals of the business. 
• Own all non-regulatory reporting to our shareholder and external (e.g. rating agency) agencies. 

Results:

• Champion the delivery of outcomes and accountabilities across the company.
• Identify variances and trends (within our business and the market), offering recommendations for corrective actions or adjustments to achieve financial objectives.
• Robustly challenge expense, sales, efficiency and productive metrics while identifying opportunities to ensure activity meets strategic and short-term financial ambitions.

Strategy:

• Drive the development of long-term financial strategies to support the company’s sustainable growth.
• Leverage current (and implement new) systems to maximise the use of technology to support this goal – while adhering to control standards.
• Contribute to Global, European and local projects on an ad hoc basis to deliver positive outcomes aligned to Group goals.  
• People & Leadership:
• Leadership of the FP&A team to ensure delivery of key processes while also developing the team to deliver a service that focuses on outcomes that supports and drives the ambitions of the business. 
• Be a key member of the Finance Leadership team driving the strategy of the Finance function and ensuring strong staff engagement.

Key Organisational Relationships:
The key organisational relationships for the role include the following: 

• Executive Management Team members
• Business operational functions such as Actuarial, IS, Administration, Risk and Internal Audit. 
• Canadian parent finance partners 
• Regulators and auditors
• External support providers e.g. technology platforms

What you will need to be successful in the role

The ideal candidate would possess the following capabilities and attributes:

Leadership and People Management:

• Proven leadership capability that attracts, motivates, and develops talent to build the right team to meet strategic direction and future needs.
• Leadership presence and exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all levels of the organisation and help stakeholders quickly understand complex issues to support effective decision-making.
• The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organisation to improved performance and being tenacious and accountable in driving results.
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships across functions and businesses to facilitate cooperation and information exchanges that improve customer and business outcomes.
• Develops vision and implements strategy for own business area as well as the wider company.

Strategic and Commercial Acumen:

• Proven track record as a leader delivering commercial value at a senior level, preferably across multi-jurisdictions.
• Insurance industry preferable, or broader financial services experience.
• The ability to identify opportunities and risks both internally and externally and put in place plans to exploit/address them by (re-) prioritising resources.
• Results-driven and contributes to change processes that improve organisational performance and creates a culture of accountability.
• The ability to use good judgement and experience to ensure decisions made are in line with risk appetite and regulation.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability; ability to analyse results and produce and present analysis and insights that drive resource allocation and prioritisation.
• Proficiency in using digital and analytics tools and software in the delivery of the role of finance.
• Knowledge of SAP/Oracle would be beneficial.

Adaptability and Resilience:

• Flexibility, resilience, and adaptability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Keeps current with wider market developments and trends.

Technical and Professional Expertise:

• Member of a recognised accounting body (ACA, CIMA, ACCA).
• Knowledge of IFRS 17 and Solvency II would be an advantage – but not essential
• German language skills desirable.

Key Competencies