Senior Financial Analyst

Basis: Permanent, full time, 36 hours per week

Location: Cardiff (Hybrid – minimum 2 days in office) or Remote (UK)

Benefits: Outstanding benefits including Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working, 28+ days holiday, and more.

The Electoral Commission is the UK’s independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance. Everything we do is about ensuring trust, participation, and integrity in the democratic process.

As we continue to deliver our five-year Corporate Plan, the Commission is building on a period of growth and change, expanding our workforce and modernising how we deliver our services to better support the needs of a changing democracy. As our organisation develops and adapts to meet future challenges, this post will play a vital part in supporting that progress and helping ensure we remain responsive to the democratic needs of voters, campaigners, parties and electoral administrators across the UK.

We are seeking an experienced and qualified Senior Financial Analyst to join our Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team.

This is a varied and strategically important role that goes beyond traditional financial analysis. Alongside leading complex financial planning, forecasting, modelling and analysis, you will work in partnership with senior leaders across the Electoral Commission, providing expert financial insight and constructive challenge that supports evidence-based decision-making and the effective stewardship of public funds.

You’ll play a key role in the Commission’s annual budget setting, medium-term financial planning, in-year forecasting and Supply Estimates processes, helping to shape financial strategy and resource allocation across the organisation. Working in a complex and evolving environment, you’ll also identify opportunities to improve financial reporting, management information and financial processes, ensuring decision-makers have timely, accurate and meaningful financial insight.

Unlike many Senior Financial Analyst roles, this position offers regular exposure to Executive Team and Board-level reporting, giving you the opportunity to influence organisational decisions and contribute to the delivery of the Commission’s strategic priorities.

As a senior member of the team, you’ll also support the development of colleagues, including line management of the Finance Apprentice, making this an excellent opportunity to further develop your leadership capability.

• Leading annual budgeting, forecasting and medium-term financial planning processes.
• Delivering detailed financial analysis, modelling and scenario planning to support strategic decisions.
• Building strong relationships with budget holders and senior stakeholders, providing expert financial advice and challenge.
• Producing insightful management reporting, variance analysis and performance commentary.
• Supporting business cases, investment appraisals and organisational change initiatives.
• Developing and improving financial models, dashboards and reporting tools.
• Coaching and supporting colleagues, including the Finance Apprentice, to strengthen capability across the function.

The FP&A team sits at the heart of the Commission’s financial planning and decision-making, providing the insight, analysis and business partnering that supports the delivery of organisational priorities.

You’ll be joining a small, collaborative and highly supportive team where knowledge sharing, openness and continuous improvement are central to the way we work. With no unnecessary hierarchy, colleagues work closely together, providing regular opportunities to learn from one another and contribute across a broad range of financial activities.

Our FP&A function is different from many found in other organisations. Rather than focusing solely on financial analysis, the team brings together FP&A, Finance Business Partnering and Project Finance, giving you exposure to the full financial planning cycle. You’ll work alongside experienced Finance Business Partners, the FP&A Accountant and Project Finance colleagues, contributing to everything from strategic…