Job Description
Job Title: Financial Planning, Reporting and Analysis Manager
Department: Finance
Responsible to: Finance Director
Current jobholder: Newly Created Role
Director: Amanda Smith
Job Evaluation Committee Reference Number:
Grade Allocated: 2
Date Allocated: 29 January 2015
Organogram below
About Us
Background
Zoological Society of London’s (“ZSL”) mission is the worldwide conservation of animals and their
habitats, which in turns means ensuring sustainability for the animals and the people that inhabit
those habitats.
ZSL is concerned about the decline in biodiversity across our planet. Since 1970 the world’s
vertebrate populations (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish) have declined by over 50%. Over
the past year alone over 1,000 rhinos, 30,000 elephants and 100,000 pangolins have been lost to the
illegal wildlife trade.
ZSL works to protect endangered species, raise awareness of the threats they face, and provide
strategies and techniques for ensuring their survival. ZSL is looking to strengthen its financial planning
and reporting capability. Alongside this, ZSL is looking at innovative ways of raising finance to
contribute to the funding of our mission activities across Science, Conservation, Education and Living
Collection and is seeking to tap into the growing social investment market as a means to do this.
Job Description
Key Purpose of the Job
ZSL is looking to hire a candidate with expertise in financial planning, management reporting and
analysis and modelling skills to support the continued development of the organisation.
We are looking for someone who can work with the Financial Controller and with a dotted line to the
Finance Director on a wide range of commercial and financial initiatives. The role will include
responsibility for budgeting and forecasting processes, driving key finance projects in areas such as
major grant applications, new exhibits, projects for mission initiatives, capital spending across the
organisation, cost optimisation, financial modelling to support innovative financing solutions such as
impact bond development and ad-hoc analysis to support key management decisions. This is a hybrid
role and needs someone who is both capable of analysing data/forecasting/financial modelling in
addition to working closely with the organisation to provide commercial and mission related
recommendations and effect change.
People
The post holder will work across the Society with people at all different levels on a range of exciting
initiatives and activities covering work carried out in the UK and overseas. As well as exposure to the
Finance Director, the role will have significant exposure to head of departments across all ZSL’s
mission areas (Science, Conservation, Education and Living collection initiatives) and all our other
operating areas including Fundraising, Marketing and Communications and Human Resources, as
well as other internal and external stakeholders.
Main duties and key responsibilities

Leading annual budgeting and forecasting processes and the preparation of the 5 year financial
plan, coordinating inputs from across the organisation, providing robust challenge and producing
high quality, user friendly outputs for Management;

Developing a new insightful monthly management reporting pack, for the executive directors,
budget holders, council and sub committees (collectively `Management`), coordinating both
financial and operating performance;

Monitoring and reporting on capital expenditure;

Monitoring and reporting on cash flow and preparing and reporting on regular cash flow
forecasting;

Supporting the Finance Director in evaluating cost optimisation opportunities;

Ad-hoc financial analysis to support key decision-making across the organisation;

Drafting of presentation to the Executive Directors, Council and Sub Committees on the above;

Ad-hoc support to the Finance Director on a range of commercial, financial and legal matters.

Take responsibility for maintaining financial models prepared to support new innovative
investment arrangements.
Building relationships
Considerable liaison is required with internal departments who will be either involved or affected by
the activities carried out by the role holder. Liaison may also required with external organisations
such as consultants, or advisors.
Key Relationships

Director General, ZSL

Finance Director

Other ZSL Directors

ZSL mission teams

Head of Impact Strategy & Measurement

Head of Impact Innovation & Investment

Heads of operating departments and their teams.

External advisors.
Mental Demands
1.
Judgement and Decision Making
The role will require decisions to be made based on recommendations made and with risks evaluated.
The judgement required in making these recommendations and the management of the associated
risks is core to the job and one that the post holder must fully embrace.
2.
Original Thought and Problem Solving
Creativity is required to build financial models for forecasting and evaluating projects and developing
management reports. Problem solving skills are required for identifying how systems and processes
can be used to provide data for financial forecasts and management reporting.
3.
Concentration
Need to develop logical and coherent business plans and the ability to evaluate complex situations
and identify key issues.
Flexibility
New opportunities will need to be embraced as they present themselves. Adverse developments need
to be anticipated and corrective action identified. A flexible attitude is required to manage the roles
workload and deliver on objectives.
Working Conditions

We have a non-smoking working environment.

This is a full time post and will be based at Regent’s Park. The functional nature of the job
may require working at both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, as well as visits to external
agencies, consultancies and organisations.

The job will require the regular use of PC’s, spreadsheets and presentation software.
Expectations of job holder

To ensure that the policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all aspects of
the post holder’s work.

To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and
responsibilities attached to this post.

Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information.

To comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to undertake
recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary.

To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service training as
necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.

To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post.
NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is
not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder in
order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Experience

Strong numeracy and financial analytical skills, developed through completion of a relevant
financial qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA);

Demonstrably strong commercial acumen through previous financial / commercial experience
in industry or an advisory firm;

Proven experience in analysing data which enables sound conclusion and recommendations
to be drawn.

Significant financial modelling experience;

Experience of monitoring and reporting on capital expenditure on major projects would be an
advantage.

Experience of building and using a budgeting and forecasting system and rolling it out across
the organisation.
Knowledge


Able to identify good management reporting practices and enhance existing management
reporting.
Cash flow forecasting techniques and monitoring cash headroom.
Skills & Abilities

Able to absorb information quickly, forming own opinions, critically assessing and proposing
alternative courses of action.

Good communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English.

Strong written presentation skills including experience of producing presentations in Microsoft
Powerpoint / Word.

Strong organisational and interpersonal skills.

Advanced skills in using MS office packages, specifically Excel and PowerPoint.

Ability to gather, analyse and evaluate facts and to prepare and present concise both oral and
well written reports.

Proven ability to work effectively with teams and senior managers, including ability to build
strong relationships with key stakeholders and advisors.
Other Requirements


Out of hours and occasional weekend work will be required by the post holder as needs arise
to deliver the role requirements.
The posts will be based at London Zoo, with some travel to Whipsnade Zoo, overseas
projects and our stakeholders.