What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis position at Hays?
Overview
We are seeking a Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to partner closely with the CFO and senior leadership team during a critical phase of growth and transformation. This role will play a central role in financial modeling, pricing, forecasting, and operational planning for a capital-intensive, asset-backed business operating in a highly specialized and growing industry.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on, analytically strong finance professional who thrives in Excel, understands accounting fundamentals, and is comfortable building models and insights from the ground up while systems continue to mature.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Planning & Analysis
- Build and own detailed financial models supporting budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, and scenario analysis
- Develop operating plans and performance dashboards to support decision-making at the executive level
- Analyze financial and operational drivers across the business, including asset utilization and pricing economics
- Support monthly, quarterly, and annual forecasting processes, providing actionable variance analysis and insights
Pricing & Commercial Analysis
- Lead pricing analysis and modeling, including manual pricing development (not software-driven)
- Partner with leadership to evaluate pricing strategies tied to asset utilization, capacity management, and demand
- Build models that reflect “yield management” principles (similar to filling hotel rooms or capacity-based assets)
Systems & Process Improvement
- Support the transition and enhancement of the ERP environment (Microsoft Dynamics to Business Central)
- Translate operating plans into system-based reporting and planning tools over time
- Manage manual and Excel-heavy workflows during the initial system transition period (first 3–4 months)
Strategic & Transactional Support
- Provide modeling and analytical support for strategic initiatives such as acquisitions, integrations, and system implementations
- Assist with board-level and ownership reporting as required
- Partner with Accounting, Treasury, and Operations to ensure alignment between financial results and forecasts
International Exposure
- Support financial analysis related to international operations, including currency impacts, FX considerations, and cross-border performance (Mexico and Spain)
Reporting Structure
- Reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer
- No direct reports at this time
Required Qualifications
Must-Haves
- Strong financial modeling skills with advanced Excel proficiency
- Solid understanding of accounting principles and financial statements
- Proven ability to build and manage pricing models manually
- Exposure to international business operations, including currency and FX concepts
- Self-starter with strong ownership, deadline discipline, and ability to operate independently
Nice-to-Haves
- Experience in aviation or other asset-intensive industries
- Prior experience in a private equity–backed environment
- Experience supporting ERP implementations or system upgrades
- MBA and/or CFA (preferred but not required)
Why This Role?
- Growth & Upside: Strong long-term growth outlook with potential ownership-related upside
- High-Impact Role: Direct exposure to the CFO, CEO, and executive leadership team
- Exceptional Team Culture: Highly collaborative, cohesive finance and accounting team
- Unique Industry: Technically sophisticated, asset-heavy business with real-world applications few people get to see firsthand
- Stability Investment: Backed by large, institutional asset managers focused on scaling and value creation