Sector: Qualified Accountancy & Financial Management

Location: Buckinghamshire

Type: Permanent

Ref: BBBH72611_1782900798

Salary: £68000.00 - £79000 per annum + Excellent benefits, 30 days AL, hybrid

Brief Summary

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Financial Planning to lead financial planning, forecasting, management reporting, and business partnering activities within a large, complex organisation. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this senior leadership role will play a critical part in shaping financial strategy, supporting key decision-making, and driving continuous improvement across financial planning and performance management processes.

The successful candidate will provide expert financial insight to senior executives and governance bodies, lead a high-performing finance team, and help embed a culture of evidence-based decision-making across the organisation.

Duties

• Lead the development and delivery of annual budgets, forecasts, medium-term plans, and long-term financial strategies.


• Provide strategic financial analysis, modelling, and business insight to support organisational objectives and major investment decisions.


• Oversee management reporting and performance monitoring, ensuring timely, accurate, and meaningful financial information.


• Lead the Finance Business Partnering function, delivering effective challenge, support, and guidance to senior stakeholders.


• Develop and maintain advanced financial models, scenario planning tools, investment appraisals, and sustainability assessments.


• Present financial analysis, business cases, and recommendations to executive leadership and governance committees.


• Drive continuous improvement in financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and decision-support processes.


• Build strong relationships across the organisation and act as a trusted adviser on strategic, financial, and commercial matters.


• Lead, develop, and motivate a professional finance team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.


• Support the Chief Financial Officer as required, acting as deputy when appropriate.

The Ideal Candidate

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience.


• Proven track record of leading financial planning, forecasting, FP&A, management reporting, or business partnering functions within a complex organisation.


• Strong strategic thinker with extensive experience providing financial advice to senior executives, boards, or governance bodies.


• Demonstrable expertise in financial modelling, forecasting, business analysis, investment appraisal, and performance management.


• Exceptional leadership skills with experience developing teams, improving capability, and leading through change.


• Highly effective communicator, able to translate complex financial information into clear, practical recommendations for both financial and non-financial audiences.


• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge at senior levels.


• Commercially aware, analytical, and proactive, with a passion for driving improvement and delivering high-quality outcomes.


• Experience operating in large, multi-stakeholder environments and supporting strategic decision-making at an organisational level.

Competitive salary and benefits package available, including 30 days' annual leave + Bank holidays + hybrid (3 days in the office)