Head of Financial Partnering, Planning and Analysis in Swindon

Could your strategic financial leadership help us maximise positive impact for people affected by dementia? Are you ready to embed the gold standard for financial partnering, planning and analysis in the charity sector? We are now recruiting for a Head of Financial Partnering, Planning & Analysis to join on a permanent basis, working full-time 35 hours per week.

Following the successful transformation of our Finance directorate, the Head of Financial Partnering, Planning & Analysis (FPP&A) will join us at an exciting stage in our development as we build on the great progress we’ve made and continue to strengthen the way we work. This is a real opportunity to make your mark and shape the future of finance at Alzheimer’s Society.

You will play a critical role in shaping what comes next, embedding new ways of working, driving continuous improvement and ensuring a consistent and sector-leading finance service is delivered across the charity. This role extends far beyond traditional finance. You’ll lead the development of the FPP&A function and strengthen finance’s role as a trusted strategic partner across the charity. You’ll establish a consistent approach, combining strong relationship building and influencing skills with high quality financial insight and decision making.

Working collectively with our leadership team, you’ll help shape our culture and redefine how we strategically plan and allocate our resources to create maximum impact for people affected by dementia. Acting as the bridge between our Finance Business Partnering and Planning & Analysis teams, you’ll bring together observations, insights and reporting to the Leadership Team, Board and Trustees, providing recommendations that inform and support strategic decision making.

You’ll role model collaborative leadership, building and developing a high performing team by setting high standards, providing constructive challenge and creating a supportive environment where your team are empowered to perform at their best. This is a hands-on leadership role, you’ll provide strategic direction and expert guidance, while also rolling up your sleeves to implement change, improve processes and deliver results leading by example.

Through effective partnerships and high-quality financial planning and analysis, you’ll help us to ensure every pound we spend is aligned to our strategy, ensuring we make the biggest impact for people affected by dementia. If you’re passionate about using your financial leadership expertise to drive meaningful change, enjoy building trusted relationships across the organisation and influencing strategic direction, we’d love to hear from you.

You’re an accomplished financial leader who builds meaningful relationships across diverse teams while maintaining analytical excellence. You use your influence to communicate with clarity and excel at creating transformation within complex organisational structures.

We welcome applications from candidates who meet most of these criteria:

• Previous experience of working in commercial finance/FP&A function and Strategic Business Partnering (in either charity or similar sized organisation) with cross matrix ways of working.
• CCAB qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or QBE) with substantial post-qualification experience at senior level (essential).
• Proven experience directing and developing high-performing teams within complex, matrix environments.
• Extensive background in strategic business partnering and financial planning with senior leaders on high-profile programmes.
• Track record implementing process excellence and sophisticated forecasting tools across large organisations.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience engaging leaders across multiple directorates.
• Experienced in driving cultural change and continuous improvement within finance functions.
• Background in strategic investment appraisal and financial modelling for new systems and technologies.

What you’ll focus on:

• Overseeing the Financial Partnering, Planning & Analysis team, providing coaching and mentoring while embedding our collaborative leadership approach.
• Establishing consistent, high-quality financial business partnering standards across all directorates to create our single source of truth.
• Implementing sophisticated budgeting, forecasting and analytical tools that equip the organisation for strategic decision-making.
• Building strategic relationships with senior leaders across the Society, balancing relationship-building with thorough financial analysis and constructive challenge.
• Setting the standard of what financial planning & analysis means at Alzheimer’s Society and shaping financial planning policy to ensure alignment with our strategic priorities.
• Implementing continuous improvement initiatives and bringing best-practice approaches to enhance our financial insight and strategic planning capabilities.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute towards how we plan and partner financially. Every strategic decision and insight supports families facing dementia’s greatest challenges.

About Alzheimer’s Society - who are we and what’s our mission? Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground-breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be. Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as part of a minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer’s Society.

Our hiring process: We want you to bring your whole self to the process. Applications are anonymised until interview stage, and we’re happy to support any adjustments. Share your feedback via our candidate survey when applying to help us improve. We may close early if we receive high interest (with 48 hours notice). Some roles may require a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment commitment.

Giving back to you: At Alzheimer’s Society, we value our people and take a total reward approach to pay and benefits. You’ll enjoy a generous double-matched pension scheme, 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and wellbeing days), and access to a free Health Shield Cash Plan, 24/7 EAP, Thrive mental wellbeing support, and virtual GP services. Our Society Plus platform offers exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, and recognition schemes, while our flexible working, family-friendly policies, and life assurance provide peace of mind and work/life balance. We also offer a free Will-writing service and long service awards to recognise your ongoing commitment.