Head of FP&A

SUMMARY

A private equity–backed healthcare and education platform seeks a strategic Head of FP&A to drive financial modeling, forecasting, and execution of value creation initiatives. This role serves as a key strategic partner to the CFO, supporting enrollment growth planning, operational excellence, and financial infrastructure development across a complex, multi-entity, international organization.

OVERVIEW

The Head of FP&A will own the organization’s long-term operating model, lead variance and performance analysis, and provide analytical support for major strategic initiatives including new campus development, program expansion, and operational optimization. The role requires advanced Excel-based financial modeling expertise, strong GAAP knowledge, and the ability to convert complex financial data into actionable insights for executive leadership and private equity stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Long-Term Financial Planning & Modeling

• Own and maintain a comprehensive long-term operating model in Excel, incorporating enrollment projections across multiple operating entities.
• Develop and manage rolling three-statement forecasts with standardized GL groupings aligned to monthly reporting packages
• Build detailed financial models for new campus and program launches, including enrollment ramps, capital expenditures, and full P&L projections
• Support scenario planning and sensitivity analysis for board-level presentations and value creation planning

2. Performance Analysis & Variance Management

• Lead monthly variance analysis comparing actual results to budget and forecast across all entities
• Partner with the accounting team to analyze monthly results within an accelerated close and management review cycle
• Identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities across revenue, operating expenses, and margin performance
• Prepare executive-level insights and financial commentary for leadership and board reporting

3. Value Creation & Strategic Initiative Support

• Analyze enrollment growth initiatives, including class size optimization, geographic diversification, and international student mix
• Support analysis of marketing and admissions funnel metrics to evaluate spend efficiency and conversion performance
• Evaluate new academic and non-academic program opportunities through detailed P&L and ROI analysis
• Model revenue diversification initiatives such as grants, ancillary services, and real estate or housing-related opportunities

4. Operational Excellence & Efficiency Analysis

• Partner with the CFO to assess mature programs and identify margin improvement opportunities through cost rationalization and operational optimization
• Benchmark program-level economics and identify best practices across the broader portfolio
• Perform ad hoc financial analyses to support strategic decision-making and process improvement initiatives

5. Systems & Financial Infrastructure

• Collaborate with the accounting and systems teams on ERP implementation and upgrades to ensure FP&A reporting and forecasting requirements are met
• Develop standardized reporting packages, dashboards, and KPIs to enhance executive visibility and decision-making

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA or CPA strongly preferred
• 5+ years of progressive FP&A experience, ideally within private equity–backed, healthcare, education, or other complex, multi-entity environments
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining sophisticated financial models supporting long-term planning and strategic initiatives

Technical Skills

• Advanced Excel expertise required, including complex formulas, pivot tables, scenario modeling, data validation, and dynamic financial statement modeling
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, financial statement analysis, and multi-entity consolidation
• Experience with ERP systems; familiarity with education or student information systems is a plus
• Proficiency with data visualization and BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or similar) preferred

Core Competencies

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate financial analysis into strategic recommendations
• Excellent communication skills and comfort presenting to senior leadership and investor stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Collaborative, service-oriented mindset when partnering with internal stakeholder