Lead Analyst Financial Planning & Analysis (46849) at British Council

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Lead Analyst Financial Planning & Analysis

 
 
The Role:

We are looking for a seasoned professional to support Financial Planning and Analysis activities, monthly reporting, and notes to accounts, while handling ad-hoc financial analysis to drive business insights and ensure accurate, timely financial information for decision-making.

Accountabilities:  

• Perform month end and planning & forecasting activities without errors & in line with the agreed timetable with UK stakeholders.
• Review the month end reporting packs prepared by the team to ensure accuracy and completeness of the financials and develop financial commentary independently for the key performance drivers.
• Work with the stakeholders to take on additional reports for different SBU’s / Regions / Business verticals.
• Work towards enhancing the business knowledge to support the stakeholders in developing 1st level business commentary independently.
• Develop and implement controls in the existing reports to reduce manual intervention and emphasize more on analysis.
• Ensure secondary level ownership through extended learning and successful delivery on areas pertaining to Planning Manager.
• Manage relationships with the stakeholders involving other COE strands, UK FP&A team, Finance Business Partners and Regional Finance controllers.
• Identify process improvement opportunities within the process, discuss and obtain sign off from the stakeholders and work towards implementing them.
• Develop & review KPI’s for the monthly deliverables and proactively engage in with the stakeholders to obtain sign off
• Manage the end-to-end KT process for the new activities being transitioned from UK / Regions.
• Work on complex situations that are critical to the business and need immediate resolution.
• Act as the 1st point of contact for escalation & all audit issues relating to month end reporting.
• Act as an SME for the Management Information Reporting and Month End process and knowledge sharing to the team
• Do the notes to accounts preparation and coordinate with Group Financial Reporting Manager
• Managing Adhoc requirements and Troubleshooting

Role specific skills:

• Finance Planning & Forecasting and Administration
• Month end closing & reporting
• Variance Analysis: Identifying and explaining deviations between actuals and forecasts.
• Data Analysis & Visualization: Using tools like Excel, Power BI, or Tableau to derive insights from financial data.
• Advanced Excel: Pivot tables, Power Query, macros, and complex formulas.
• ERP & EPM Systems: Proficiency in SAP and SAP BW and Anaplan

Role specific knowledge and experience: 

Essential:

• Intermediate experience in Financial Planning & Forecasting
• Knowledge of month end closing & reporting
• Proficiency in SAP and SAP BW

Desirable:

Knowledge of Anaplan. Experience Model building and report creation in Anaplan.

Education: Graduate and Postgraduate

Closing Date:   Applications will close at 23:59 IST/19:29 UK Time on Tuesday, 7 October 2025

You must have the legal right to work in India at the time of application.

Important Information:

Department: PS FP&A

Contract Type: Indefinite Contract

Pay Band: 6

Country/Location: Noida, India

Requirements:
Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in India. 

Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. 
 
British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service.  This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email [email protected]