Group Financial Planning & Analysis Operations Lead

Job description

Role: Group FP&A Operations Lead Location: Mumbai (Hybrid) Job type: Full time, Permanent Why QS? At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other. It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives. Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector. At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector. We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive. The role The Group FP&A Operations Lead is responsible for delivering Group FP&A processes, including budgeting, forecasting, long-term planning, consolidation, management reporting, and governance. Working closely with Finance Business Partners, the role ensures accurate, timely, and consistent planning and reporting while driving standardisation, process improvements, and operational excellence across the Group. Role responsibilities Planning and Delivery Coordinate the annual Budget, periodic Forecasts and Long-Term Planning processes. Maintain the Group FP&A planning calendar and key milestones. Monitor planning cycle progress and follow up on actions and deliverables. Ensure planning submissions are complete, consistent and delivered on time. Escalate risks, delays or issues where appropriate. Consolidation & Management Reporting Consolidate Group budgets, forecasts, and long-term plans into a single Group view. Prepare Group management reporting and performance packs, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and a consistent Group structure Ensure Finance Business Partner commentary is consistent, structured, and decision ready. Drive continuous improvement in the quality, clarity and consistency of financial reporting across the Group Governance and Quality Assurance Maintain planning templates, guidance and reporting standards. Support the consistent application of FP&A methodologies across the business. Perform quality assurance reviews of planning and reporting submissions. Ensure version control and governance requirements are followed. Identify and resolve inconsistencies in planning and reporting outputs. Partnership with Finance Business Partners Work with Finance Business Partners to support planning and reporting activities. Coordinate information gathering and submission processes. Ensure adherence to Group FP&A planning frameworks, templates and reporting standards. Support alignment of assumptions and methodologies across the business. Act as a central point of coordination for FP&A process activities. Systems, Data & Continuous Improvement Support the administration and ongoing development of FP&A systems and reporting tools. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, automation and standardisation. Work with Finance Systems and IT teams on process and reporting enhancements. Support improvements in data quality and reporting governance. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across FP&A. Key skills Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA). Significant experience in Financial Planning & Analysis, ideally within a Group or multi-business-unit environment. Strong experience coordinating budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning processes. Proven experience in Group financial consolidation and management reporting. Strong analytical, financial modelling and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to manage complex planning cycles and meet tight deadlines. Advanced Excel and experience with FP&A/planning systems. Track record of improving FP&A processes, reporting quality, and planning efficiency. Desirable Experience with FP&A and reporting tools (e.g. Power BI, Workday Adaptive Planning, or similar). Experience improving budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and planning processes. Proven ability to enhance reporting efficiency, standardisation, data quality, and reporting automation. Knowledge of data visualisation and self-service analytics. So, who are we and what do we do? QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success. We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures. Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education. Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London. With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education? We take investing in our people very seriously. As standard you will have: Competitive base salary Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only) 21 days annual leave – increasing to 23 days after 5 years’ service + 8 days casual leave 15 days holiday for the year 2026 Enhanced maternity and paternity leave Access to Provident Fund and Pension Fund Scheme Group Medical Insurance A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset: Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual personal development event Support for volunteering and study leave Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5,000 courses and programmes at your fingertips Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme