Financial Planning & Analysis Manager (Planning & Modelling)

Safaricom PLC is a leading telecommunications company in Kenya, founded in 1997. It provides a wide range of communication services.

Reporting to the Senior Manager Financial Planning & Analysis the role holder will play a critical role in supporting business performance through budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning (LRP), management reporting, financial modelling, performance analysis, and business partnering. The role is responsible for translating financial and operational data into actionable insights that support executive decision-making, capital allocation, strategic planning, and performance management. The successful candidate will possess a strong commercial mindset, advanced financial modelling capabilities, and the ability to influence business decisions through data-driven insights. Key responsibilities align with P&L forecasting, cashflow forecasting, LRP development, scenario analysis, executive communication and business partnering.

1. Uphold the company code of conduct, policies and procedures, ensuring integrity and accountability in every aspect of your work.
2. All employees have a responsibility to adhere to safety, health, and wellbeing policies, guidelines and procedures in all actions and decisions.
3. Support the preparation and consolidation of annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-range plans (LRPs).
4. Develop and maintain integrated financial models covering revenue, operating costs, EBITDA, profitability, cashflow, and capital expenditure.
5. Coordinate forecast submissions across business units and ensure alignment to strategic objectives.
6. Perform driver-based forecasting and sensitivity analysis to evaluate financial outcomes under various scenarios.
7. Monitor forecast accuracy and provide recommendations to improve planning effectiveness.
8. Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual management reports.
9. Deliver insightful variance analysis comparing Actuals, Budget, Forecast, and Prior Year performance.
10. Identify key business drivers impacting revenue growth, profitability, cashflow, and return on investment.
11. Develop executive-level dashboards and KPI reporting.
12. Present financial performance trends and implications to senior management.
13. Partner with Commercial, Technology, Operations, Enterprise, and Support Functions to provide financial decision support.
14. Challenge assumptions and ensure business initiatives are supported by robust financial analysis.
15. Support pricing reviews, business cases, investment proposals, and strategic initiatives.
16. Influence stakeholders through data-driven insights and recommendations.
17. Act as a trusted advisor on performance management and financial implications of business decisions.
18. Support development and maintenance of multi-year strategic plans and long-range financial outlooks.
19. Assess business opportunities, investment cases, and growth initiatives.
20. Translate strategic initiatives into financial plans and measurable performance targets.
21. Evaluate revenue growth, margin expansion, cash generation, and investment affordability.
22. Develop and maintain cashflow forecasts and liquidity projections.
23. Monitor working capital performance and identify improvement opportunities.
24. Support capital expenditure planning, prioritization, and investment reviews.
25. Evaluate funding requirements and free cashflow generation.
26. Perform post-investment reviews to assess business case realization.
27. Build robust and auditable financial models.
28. Conduct sensitivity analysis and scenario planning to assess financial risk and opportunities.
29. Evaluate downside and upside scenarios and recommend mitigation actions.
30. Support strategic decision-making through advanced modelling techniques.
31. Drive improvements in FP&A processes, tools, and reporting capabilities.
32. Enhance automation and data analytics within planning and reporting processes.
33. Support finance transformation initiatives and adoption of best practices.
34. Improve data quality, consistency, and governance across planning cycles.

1. **Technical Competencies:**
2. Financial Expertise
3. Advanced financial modelling
4. Budgeting and forecasting
5. Long-range planning (LRP)
6. Management reporting
7. Variance analysis
8. Business case development
9. Capital investment analysis
10. Cashflow forecasting
11. Scenario and sensitivity analysis
12. **Systems & Tools:**
13. Advanced Microsoft Excel
14. ERP and HFM platforms (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Hyperion, OneStream, Anaplan)
15. PowerPoint and executive presentation development
16. **Behavioural Competencies:**
17. Commercial Acumen: Ability to interpret business performance drivers and convert analysis into actionable recommendations.
18. Analytical Thinking: Strong problem-solving capability with attention to detail and ability to manage ambiguity.
19. Business Partnering: Confidence to challenge assumptions and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
20. Communication: Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial audiences and executive leadership.
21. Strategic Mindset: Ability to link short-term performance to long-term strategic objectives and business outcomes.
22. Results Orientation: Focus on delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial insights.
23. **Qualifications:**
24. Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, Business, or related field.
25. MBA or master’s degree is an added advantage.
26. Professional Qualifications: CPA & ACCA
27. **Experience:**
28. Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in Financial Planning & Analysis, Commercial Finance, Business Finance, Corporate Finance, or Management Reporting.
29. Demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, and financial modelling.
30. Experience supporting senior stakeholders and business leaders.
31. Experience working with large datasets and complex financial models.
32. Telecommunications, Technology, FMCG, Banking, or other large corporate experience is desirable.