PURPOSE:
The role is a critical in keeping the Europe monthly P&L Forecast up to date and accurate with capital and real estate changes. The role requires continuous dialogue with non finance business partners to ensure that all changes are captured on a timely basis and challenged where appropriate
The role is also responsible for monitoring and updating the capital forecast and provides a centre of excellence for capital appraisal, modeling and fleet (portfolio) analysis to support real estate decisions
IMPACT & SCOPE:
This role is responsible for analysing and modeling existing business capital and real estate plans and will provide support and analysis to new business opportunities using both corporate models and incisive analysis
It supports the capital governance process, most notably in a monthly capital roundtable meeting with the European President and other senior management.
KEY BUSINESS PARTNERS:
This role works across functions, finance and non finance (to include Real Estate, Store Development, Field Operations, Loss Prevention, Distribution) in order to develop and apply a consistent and rigorous capital appraisal methodology
There is also extensive liaison with US business partners (Corporate Real Estate and Corporate Control).
PROBLEM SOLVING, ANALYSIS & DECISION MAKING:
The role requires a rigorous and flexible analytical style together with a thorough understanding of capital appraisal techniques and management accounting policies, procedures and processes.
Rigorous attention to detail is essential together with an ability to see investments in the broader context of the company’s investment strategy
Must be able to manage multiple priorities with assistance from Finance Manager – Real Estate & Strategy
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
• To assist the Finance Manager – Real Estate & Strategy in supporting the Director European Commercial Finance & Strategy to manage European capital investment appraisal and accounting processes
• To produce the capital budget, including producing P&L impact analyses (supported as appropriate)
• To update the monthly P&L forecast for capital and real estate changes as well as the quarterly capital forecast
• To perform quarterly new store sales and capital hindsight analysis
• To perform the quarterly and annual impairment test
• Annually support the update of the long-term plan for both existing store capital and real estate activities by maintaining a store by store capital plan
• To provide a centre of excellence for developing investment proposals using the (Corporate) NPV model and perform appraisal analysis for new store / growth opportunities
• To provide ad hoc analysis as required
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
• Earning a reputation for intellectual rigor, consistency, accuracy and preparedness to own a process and continually challenge
• Establishing and nurturing constructive and clear lines of communication with FP&A team, Rugby finance, Corporate as well as other business partners as required.
• Timely delivery of all reports, budgets and analysis
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:
• Graduate qualified accountant (ACA or CIMA) or MBA
• Highly motivated self-starter with demonstrably high levels of drive, energy and innovation
• Strong analytical thinking and problem solving skills with the ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity and to think outside the box
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• European language skill would be valuable
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:
• 1-2 years PQE (ideally in retail environment)
• Experience of working with capital appraisal techniques preferred