Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in Bourne End

Are you a commercially astute finance leader with a passion for long-term planning, investment insight and strategic decision-making? We are seeking a Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to play a pivotal role in shaping and safeguarding the Group's long-term financial sustainability and growth ambitions.

This is a hybrid role with at least 2 days attendance at our office in High Wycombe, Bucks with some travel to our office in Letchworth, Herts and the remainder at home/remote. The salary package for this role is £78,495 p/a (includes supplement) plus 30 days holiday upon starting.

At SettleParadigm, we're proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 30,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising the number of new affordable homes we build.

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Finance, you will lead a high-performing FP&A function and act as a trusted partner to Development, Strategic Asset Management, Treasury and the Executive team. This is a high-profile role with direct exposure to the Board, Treasury Committee, Regulator of Social Housing and external funders.

About the Role

As Head of FP&A, you will have ownership of the Group's 30-year financial plan, ensuring it remains robust, up to date and fully aligned to strategic priorities, risk appetite and regulatory requirements. You will combine deep technical modelling expertise with strong stakeholder engagement to support informed decision-making across development, investment and asset management activities. You will also lead and develop a small team, embedding best practice in planning, scenario modelling, stress-testing and value for money analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the Group's 30-year financial model, ensuring it accurately reflects Board assumptions, growth ambitions and emerging risks.
• Lead the annual and quarterly planning cycles, coordinating inputs from across the business and ensuring budgets are fully reconciled and integrated.
• Deliver regulatory submissions including the Financial Forecast Return (FFR) and quarterly surveys, ensuring accuracy, transparency and timely approval.
• Lead multi-scenario modelling and stress-testing to assess financial resilience and capacity for growth.
• Provide regular re-forecast updates to the Executive Team, Treasury Committee and Board.
• Act as a champion for Value for Money, challenging assumptions and driving continuous improvement.
• Ensure clear alignment between long-term cashflow forecasts and NROSH, Brixx and other reporting tools.
• Partner closely with Development and Strategic Asset Management leadership, providing high-quality commercial and strategic financial insight.
• Maintain and enhance appraisal frameworks for development schemes in line with Board-approved assumptions.
• Lead financial appraisal, due diligence and option analysis for new development and investment opportunities.
• Line manage and develop two Financial Planning Analysts, building capability and embedding a high-performance culture.
• Build strong, credible relationships with senior stakeholders across the business, as well as funders, advisers and regulators.

What We're Looking For

Must haves:

• You will be a confident, pragmatic finance leader with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight.
• Proven ownership of complex, dynamic long-term financial models for scenario planning and commercial decision-making.
• A strong track record of improving planning, forecasting and performance frameworks.
• In-depth knowledge of development and investment appraisal modelling.
• Strong commercial understanding of economic assumptions and their impact on business plans.
• CCAB-recognised accounting qualification.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling expertise.
• Excellent communication skills with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and data-interpretation skills.

Nice to haves:

• Experience within the social housing sector.
• Previous submission of regulatory finance returns (e.g. FFR) to the Regulator of Social Housing.
• Experience with Brixx.
• Experience using Proval or similar development appraisal systems.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of long-term financial strategy in a complex, purpose-driven organisation, where your insight will directly influence investment decisions, growth capacity and regulatory confidence. You'll work at the heart of the business, shaping sustainable outcomes for years to come.

Benefits

• Annual salary package: £78,495 p/a (includes supplement).
• 30 days holiday p/a upon starting, plus 3 days when we close at Christmas and holiday buy options.
• Generous pension scheme up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice.
• Family-friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Health cash plan claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids cover).
• Life cover and income protection.
• Flexible working hybrid options, modern offices, free parking & EV charging.

Our Commitment: We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments: We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.