Financial Planning & Analysis Director

NATIONAL TRUST; England; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental charity in the United Kingdom is seeking a Financial Planning & Analysis Director to shape financial strategies and lead a team. You will drive high-quality financial planning, manage budgets, and champion innovative approaches. The ideal candidate is a qualified finance professional with proven leadership skills, capable of influencing senior decision-makers. This role offers a competitive salary and a strong benefits package, including a pension scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym membership discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Qualifications

• Qualified finance professional with experience in financial planning and accounting.
• Proven ability to influence decision-making at senior levels.
• Experience managing and developing large teams of analysts.
• Experience with reporting frameworks and MI systems.
• Ability to lead complex projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of analysts and business partners to deliver financial insights.
• Manage financial planning processes including budgets and forecasts.
• Champion innovation in financial reporting and analysis.
• Build relationships across the organisation and influence at all levels.
• Deputise for the CFO when needed.

Skills

Influencing senior leaders

Financial planning

Managing diverse teams

Presenting complex financial information

Education

CCAB accounting qualification or equivalent

Job description

We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong. We value diversity and want our teams to reflect the communities we serve. If you share our commitment to inclusion and diversity, we encourage you to apply and bring your unique perspective and experience to our team.

We’re looking for a Financial Planning & Analysis Director to join us to support in shaping our financial strategy and ensure we have the insight to make the best decisions for our people. You’ll lead a team of analysts and business partners, guiding them to deliver high-quality financial planning and analysis to support our strategy.

The starting salary for this role is £110,000 and may increase based on your skills and experience.

Internally you’ll be known as Financial Planning & Insight Director.

What it's like to work here

You’ll be part of a collaborative organisation that cares deeply about people, nature and places. We work flexibly, embrace change, and act responsibly to ensure we’re protecting our legacy. You’ll join a supportive senior leadership team where your voice matters, and your expertise will help shape the future.

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You’ll be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.

What you'll be doing

Reporting to the CFO, you’ll lead and inspire a team of 7 with a wider team of around 55, building capability and encouraging a culture of collaboration and inclusion. You’ll ensure your team delivers high-quality financial planning and insight that supports organisation decision making.

You’ll take responsibility for our financial planning processes, including annual budgets and long-term forecasts, ensuring we allocate resources to achieve maximum value for money. You’ll provide clear, timely analysis and recommendations to the Executive Board and senior leaders, helping them focus on the issues that matter most.

Innovation will be key as you’ll champion new approaches to financial reporting and analysis, introducing measures and tools that track performance and support our strategy. You’ll also develop a one-year plan and three-year vision for financial planning and insight.

Building strong relationships will be central to your success as you’ll work organisation wide in a matrix structure, influencing at all levels and deputising for the CFO when required.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• Qualified finance professional – CCAB accounting qualification or equivalent experience in financial planning and accounting
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and provide insight that drives decision‑making.
• Experience in managing and developing large, diverse teams of analysts and business partners
• Experience designing and implementing reporting frameworks and MI systems
• Ability to lead complex projects and deliver results at pace.

Additional criteria for all other applicants:

• Confident presenting and explaining complex financial information clearly at senior, up to board level
• Comfortable working in a large, multi‑site organisation with a matrix structure and varied revenue streams.
• Experience influencing decisions while maintaining independence and integrity

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places