Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

Help us achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide.

We're looking for an experienced and commercially minded finance leader to join Samaritans as our Head of Financial Planning & Analysis. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in supporting strategic decision-making across the organisation, leading financial planning, forecasting and reporting, while helping ensure we can continue delivering our life-saving work.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Corporate Services and working closely with senior leaders across the charity, you'll provide expert financial insight, lead a high-performing team, and drive innovation and continuous improvement across our finance function.

Contract terms:

• £75,000 (FTE) per annum, plus benefits
• Fixed Term Contract (12 months)
• 35 hours per week (full time)
• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences
• Hybrid, linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office
• We value meeting in person and working collaboratively. Finance team members are encouraged work from the office one day per week.
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro-rata)

What you'll be doing:

As Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, you'll lead our FP&A team and oversee the organisation's financial planning cycle, management reporting, forecasting and financial modelling activities. You'll be a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders, providing commercial insight and helping leaders make informed decisions that support our strategic objectives.

You'll also be a member of the Senior Leadership Group, contributing to organisational planning and helping shape the future direction of the finance function. Alongside your strategic responsibilities, you'll oversee both the Management Accounts and Accounts Payable & Receivable functions, ensuring robust financial reporting, controls and processes are in place.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the organisation's budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Providing strategic financial insight and partnering with senior leaders to support decision-making.
• Delivering financial modelling, scenario analysis and business case support for key projects and initiatives.
• Overseeing management reporting and ensuring accurate, timely financial information across the organisation.
• Leading and developing a high-performing finance team, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Driving financial capability, commercial awareness and strong financial management across the business.
• Supporting Board, Finance Committee and senior leadership reporting through clear, insightful analysis.
• Ensuring robust financial controls, processes and systems that support organisational effectiveness.

What you'll bring:

Essential

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience.
• Extensive experience across financial planning and analysis, including budgeting, forecasting, management reporting and financial modelling.
• Proven experience leading organisation-wide budget-setting and financial planning processes.
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing and motivating high-performing teams.
• The ability to engage, influence and challenge senior stakeholders through clear, evidence-based financial insight.
• Excellent analytical and commercial awareness, with confidence interpreting complex financial data and translating it into meaningful recommendations.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using financial planning and reporting systems.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector
• Knowledge of VAT, Corporation Tax, procurement or project management

For full details, please see the Job Description and Person Specification

Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you'll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission. You'll be part of a collaborative and supportive team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.

We offer flexible hybrid working, great benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland. To find out more about Samaritans, please read our recruitment brochure.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the people we support and who support us. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels seen, heard and supported, at all levels of the organisation.

Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we'd love for you to apply. You will be asked to answer some short application questions and to upload your CV and cover letter addressing key points in the job description.

If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Applications close: midnight on 1st September 2026

1st stage interviews (online): w/c 14th September

2nd stage interviews (in person): tbc

At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.

We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team.

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through. We recognise that some candidates may use assistive technology or tools to help with accessibility, structure or grammar.