At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis to support decision-making in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Values-led not-for-profit organisation making a national impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunity for meaningful impact.
- Other info: Opportunity to strengthen financial decision-making in a complex operational setting.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact quickly in a role with real substance and senior exposure.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong FP&A and stakeholder management experience.
Location: Thame (Oxfordshire) with hybrid working (minimum, 2 days per week in the office) and occasional travel
Contract: Interim, Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2027
Salary / day rate: £60,000 per annum (pro rata)
Reports to: Head of Finance
Affinity Trust is looking for an experienced Interim Senior FP&A Manager to bring senior finance capacity, challenge and insight across a complex, multi-site organisation. This is not a routine reporting role. We are looking for someone who can quickly get under the skin of operational performance, understand the financial drivers behind service delivery, and help senior leaders make better, faster and more informed decisions.
You will work closely with the Head of Finance, Finance Business Partners, Divisional Directors and operational leaders, providing high-quality analysis, forecasting, commercial insight and constructive challenge. The work will span income, workforce costs, agency and overtime spend, utilisation, fee rates, contract performance, forecasting assumptions and recovery planning.
This is a senior individual contributor role, adding experienced capacity where it is most needed, to help maintain pace across key priorities, and strengthen the link between financial insight and operational action.
The assignment will include:
- Leading robust forecasting and scenario modelling across a complex operational portfolio
- Providing senior finance business partnering to divisional and operational leaders
- Analysing key cost drivers, particularly workforce-related costs such as agency, overtime, sickness and staffing ratios
- Reviewing income, fee rates, local authority funding assumptions, utilisation and contract performance
- Supporting tenders, contract reviews, business cases and service sustainability analysis
- Helping identify whether financial pressure is driven by fee levels, operational delivery, workforce deployment or a combination of factors
- Translating complex financial information into clear insight, options and practical recommendations
- Supporting the head of finance and wider finance team with additional senior capacity during a period of increased demand
About you:
You will be a qualified accountant with ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent, and substantial experience in senior FP&A, finance business partnering or commercial finance roles. You will be confident working with senior stakeholders and able to bring both grip and judgement. You will know how to challenge assumptions constructively, explain complex financial information clearly, and turn analysis into action.
You are likely to have worked in a complex, multi-site or operationally demanding environment, where financial performance is closely linked to workforce planning, contract income, service delivery and operational decision-making.
You will bring:
- Strong FP&A, forecasting, modelling and management reporting experience
- Advanced Excel and analytical capability
- Credibility with senior operational and finance stakeholders
- Experience supporting budgeting, reforecasting, recovery planning and performance improvement
- The ability to work at pace, prioritise well and operate with a high level of autonomy
- A practical, commercial and solutions-focused approach
Experience in social care, healthcare, supported living, charity or not-for-profit settings would be helpful, but is not essential. Experience with Local Authority funding, high-volume staffing models, workforce cost pressures or interim turnaround environments would be particularly valuable.
This is an opportunity to make a visible impact quickly. You will be joining a values-led not-for-profit support organisation with national impact, where finance plays a central role in supporting sustainable, high-quality services for people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs.
For the right person, this is a role with real substance: complex operations, senior stakeholder exposure, meaningful commercial analysis, and the chance to strengthen financial decision-making where it matters most.
Please note, if you are successful, we may need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (Criminal Record) check at the relevant level for the role. This will be paid for by us.
Interim Senior FP&A Manager in Thame employer: Affinity Trust
Affinity Trust is an exceptional employer that values its employees and fosters a supportive work culture, particularly in the Thame area. With a commitment to professional growth, the organisation offers opportunities for meaningful contributions to the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs, while also providing a flexible hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Employees benefit from engaging with senior stakeholders and making impactful decisions, all within a values-driven not-for-profit environment that prioritises sustainable service delivery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Senior FP&A Manager in Thame
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in FP&A roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even referrals that could give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s financials and recent news. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their challenges and can bring valuable insights to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in forecasting and financial analysis can directly impact their operations. Tailor your examples to reflect the specific needs mentioned in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Senior FP&A Manager in Thame
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Interim Senior FP&A Manager. Highlight your experience in FP&A, financial modelling, and stakeholder management. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past and how you can bring value to our team.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of analysis and forecasting, make sure to highlight your analytical capabilities. Include any relevant tools or methodologies you've used to drive insights and support decision-making in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Affinity Trust
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Interim Senior FP&A Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to forecasting, workforce costs, and contract performance. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Understand the Organisation
Familiarise yourself with Affinity Trust's mission and the specific challenges they face in the social care sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're not just a numbers person, but someone who understands the operational context behind the figures.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to analyse hypothetical situations or past experiences. Think about how you would approach forecasting under pressure or how to challenge assumptions constructively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
This role involves working closely with senior leaders. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully partnered with stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and how you've influenced decision-making.
