Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

About the Company: My client is a fast-growing, private-equity backed Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company that provides innovative solutions to clients globally. As the business scales, they are seeking a strategic and experienced FP&A Director to lead the financial planning and analysis efforts, providing insights that drive decision-making and operational efficiency.

About the Role: The Director of FP&A will be responsible for overseeing and enhancing the financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and reporting functions. This role will play a critical part in supporting the company's growth strategy and ensuring that the financial performance aligns with both short- and long-term objectives. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the CFO, senior leadership team, and operational departments to provide timely, accurate, and insightful financial information. This role requires a high level of financial acumen, SaaS industry experience, and a demonstrated ability to lead a team while managing complex financial models and analytics in a fast-paced environment. Understanding of MRR, ARR, CLTV, CAC & churn etc is highly valued.

Responsibilities:

Financial Planning & Forecasting:

• Lead the preparation of annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-term financial projections for the company.
• Partner with departmental leaders to align financial plans with strategic objectives and track progress toward KPIs.
• Build and maintain detailed financial models, including revenue, expenses, and cash flow projections specific to the SaaS business model.
• Provide actionable financial insights through the development of regular reporting packages for the executive team and investors.
• Perform in-depth variance analysis of actual financial results against forecasts and budgets, identifying trends and proposing corrective actions.
• Create ad-hoc financial analysis to evaluate business initiatives, capital expenditures, and investment opportunities.

SaaS Metrics & KPI Management:

• Develop and maintain key SaaS metrics such as MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue), ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue), churn rates, customer acquisition costs (CAC), LTV (Lifetime Value), and other performance indicators.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of SaaS metrics to enable data-driven decision-making across the organization.

Investor Relations & Board Reporting:

• Prepare quarterly financial reports, presentations, and updates for private equity stakeholders, ensuring alignment with company performance and strategic objectives.
• Participate in board meetings and investor calls to provide financial insights and respond to queries related to business performance.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, and Product teams to drive alignment between financial goals and business strategies.
• Partner with the operations team to assess the financial impact of key operational decisions and optimize resource allocation.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead and mentor a team of FP&A professionals, fostering a high-performance culture and providing guidance on complex financial analyses.
• Support professional development opportunities and career growth for team members.

Process Improvement & Systems Integration:

• Identify and implement best practices in financial planning and analysis to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Drive the development and enhancement of financial systems, tools, and processes (e.g., ERP, FP&A software, SaaS-specific analytics tools).

Qualifications & Skills:

Education & Experience:

• Qualified Accountant with Commercial Finance experience.
• At least 8-10 years of experience in financial planning and analysis, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Previous experience in a SaaS or subscription-based business is essential. Private equity-backed company experience is a plus.
• Proven track record in building and managing complex financial models for high-growth companies.

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting with strong proficiency in Excel and other financial software (e.g., Adaptive Insights, Anaplan, NetSuite, etc.).
• Deep understanding of SaaS financial metrics and how to use them to drive business performance.
• Experience with ERP and FP&A systems integrations and implementations.

Leadership & Communication:

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts for non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to interact effectively with senior executives, private equity investors, and board members.

Analytical & Strategic Thinking:

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to work with large datasets and turn them into actionable insights.
• Strategic mindset with a focus on driving growth, efficiency, and value creation.

Industry Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of SaaS business models, including metrics such as ARR, churn, CAC, LTV, and retention rates.
• Familiarity with private equity dynamics, including reporting requirements, performance benchmarks, and financial discipline.