About the opportunity
As Head of Corporate Planning, you'll lead the process by which Alzheimer's Society translates its strategy into a clear, deliverable plan and tracks the difference we are making. In a role where every decision shapes how we use our resources to end the devastation of dementia, you'll provide the leadership team with the insight they need to focus on what matters most and to keep adjusting course as the world around us changes.
You'll bring people together from across the organisation, building trusted relationships that make corporate planning a genuinely shared endeavour rather than a Finance exercise. Through workshops, partnership and powerful reporting, you'll help leaders at every level understand how their work connects to the corporate plan, where progress is being made, and where we need to challenge ourselves to do more.
You'll be part of our Finance and Assurance directorate, where our vision is to be the Society's single point of truth. Working closely with other Finance department heads, you'll help to deliver an accountable, efficient and improvement-driven approach to the Society's financial and corporate strategy, providing the leadership team with the information they need to run the organisation well.
Leading our Corporate Planning team, you'll set the standard for accessible, timely and accurate corporate planning, while continuously improving the way we plan across the Society and the way we measure success. You'll act as a vital source of insight on what is working across the Society, what might need to change, and where the next opportunity to increase our impact for people affected by dementia might lie.
Please note that this role is a 12 month fixed term contract.
About you
You're an experienced corporate planning or strategy professional who understands that good planning is about people as much as process. You're as comfortable in an Executive workshop as you are in the detail, and you know how to combine analytical rigour with clear communication, constructive challenge and a genuine interest in helping others see the bigger picture.
You'll have:
- An in-depth understanding and significant experience of planning a large organisation's activity in a way that effectively supports delivery and the tracking of performance, driving continuous improvement.
- A track record of providing insightful, accessible reporting to drive decision-making at senior levels, including with Executive and Board audiences.
- The confidence to engage stakeholders at all levels in planning and progress tracking, leading them through it with clarity and credibility.
- Proven facilitation, workshop leading and presentation skills, including with executive and senior leadership teams.
- Effective analytical skills, with the ability to draw insight from data and influence priority setting at an organisational level.
- Confidence and experience in leading a small team, managing their performance and developing their capability.
- The ability to deliver effectively to timelines in complex and sometimes ambiguous environments, balancing strategic focus with operational responsiveness.
- Demonstratable critical thinking skills, identifying and acting on ways to work more effectively and efficiently, and celebrating progress, solutions and impact rather than activity.
It would be particularly valuable if you also bring:
- Experience of corporate planning or strategy delivery within a large charity, public sector or values-led organisation.
What you'll focus on
- Leading the corporate planning process and producing the corporate plan, with clear objectives that align to budget and risk appetite and translate strategy into delivery.
- Analysing performance against the corporate plan and providing accessible, timely insight to the leadership of the organisation on what is working and what may need to change.
- Working with Finance, Risk and other relevant teams to align reporting on progress, outcome, finance and risk, producing engaging dashboards and reports that drive decision-making at Executive and Board level.
- Facilitating discussions, running workshops and driving engagement and understanding of our plans and how we measure them across all parts of the organisation.
- Setting, tracking and reporting the impact of activity as part of integrated team, directorate and corporate reporting.
- Continuously improving the performance of the Corporate Planning function so the Society remains agile in delivering impact aligned with the strategy.
- Owning and managing the departmental budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet strategic and operational objectives.
- Building and drawing on external networks to inform the Society's approach and decision-making, bringing best practice from across the sector and more widely.
You'll work alongside other leaders across Finance and Assurance to deliver the directorate plan and deputise for the Associate Director of Finance as required, role-modelling a high challenge, high support culture where accountability, performance and development go hand in hand.
Are you ready to bring planning rigour, partnership and insight to the people working to end the devastation of dementia?
Important dates
- The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Wednesday 20th May 2026
- Interviews will begin W/C 25th May 2026 and will include a presentation task to prepare beforehand.
About Alzheimer's Society
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 groundbreaking 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 Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.
We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
Our hiring process
During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply. Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.
We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.
We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.
Giving back to you
Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society.
You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Great opportunity to lead and support our charity's team through the next phase of development to drive One Medicine forward.
Job Purpose
To lead the operational delivery of Humanimal Trust’s charitable aims and strategic objectives, as set by the Board of Trustees, ensuring that plans are translated into clear priorities, well-managed programmes and effective day-to-day operations. The postholder will line manage the operational team, oversee the finances and the fundraising activities, and maintain strong governance and compliance within Charity Commission requirements, at all times representing the Trust’s One Medicine purpose with professionalism and integrity.
Dimensions
· Line management responsibility for the operational team
· Budget responsibility: manage agreed operational budgets and monitor expenditure against plan
· Oversee delivery of the annual business plan and operational work programme
· Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, supporters, partners and suppliers
· Oversee the fundraising activities
Main Responsibilities and Role
· Provide visible operational leadership for Humanimal Trust, championing One Medicine and role-modelling the Trust’s values
· Translate Board-approved strategy into clear operational priorities, delivery plans and measurable outcomes
· Line-manage the operational team: allocate work, set objectives, provide coaching, and manage performance and wellbeing
· Maintain and improve operational policies, procedures and controls in line with charity regulation, GDPR/data protection and recognised good practice
· Ensure effective delivery of core operational functions (administration, supporter care, governance support, data management and supplier coordination)
· Protect the Trust’s reputation by maintaining high standards of quality, confidentiality, safeguarding and risk management
· Monitor progress against the operational plan, tracking risks, issues and dependencies and reporting regularly to the Chair/Trustees
· Lead on team resourcing and capability: recruitment planning (where applicable), induction, training and continuous improvement
· Work closely with the Chair and Trustees to support good governance, prepare papers, and ensure actions and decisions are implemented
· Attend and present at Board meetings
Finance
· Manage day-to-day financial processes for the Trust, ensuring appropriate approvals, controls and timely processing
· Oversee expense claims and supplier payments in line with policy; ensure accurate records are maintained for audit and reporting
· Track and report on income/expenditure and operational costs, highlighting variances and supporting budget planning with Trustees and finance support (where in place)
· Maintain a clear audit trail for key financial decisions, contracts and delegated approvals
Planning and Organising
· Develop and implement operational plans that translate Trustee priorities into clear workstreams, milestones and accountabilities
· Plan, organise and prioritise team workload and resources to deliver objectives, balancing immediate operational needs with longer-term planning
· Maintain and review the organisational risk register, escalating issues and ensuring proportionate mitigations are in place
· Maintain and review the Trust’s policies and guidance documents
· Monitor and report delivery, performance and compliance (e.g., quarterly/annually as agreed), supporting effective governance and continuous improvement
Decision Making
· Make operational decisions to deliver the Trust’s agreed plans within delegated authority, escalating strategic or high-risk matters to the Chair/Trustees
· Lead and line-manage the operational team, including recruitment planning (where applicable), workload allocation and resource deployment
· Liaise with external partners, supporters, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers to support delivery and maintain effective relationships
· Liaise with the Chair of Trustees and the Trustees on a regular basis.
· Evaluate and improve processes, systems and ways of working to enhance quality, efficiency, supporter experience and internal control
· Identify learning and development needs for the team and support continuous improvement and professional development
· Manage operational capacity and prioritisation, ensuring resources are aligned to the Trust’s delivery commitments
· Approve expenditure, contracts and commitments within delegated authority and in line with policy
Internal and External Relationships
Internal
· Chair of Trustees and Board of Trustees (including sub-committees), providing timely updates, papers and delivery reporting
· Operational team and volunteers, providing leadership, coordination and support
External
Supporters, donors, partner organisations, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers (e.g., finance, HR, legal), acting as an operational point of contact as required
Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Style Required
Essential
· Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience), with strong digital/IT capability (MS Office and CRM/databases) and a clear understanding of GDPR/data protection.
· Proven experience in an operational leadership/management role, delivering organisational plans, improving processes and achieving measurable outcomes.
· Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with Trustees, colleagues, volunteers and external stakeholders.
· Strong people management skills, supporting staff through change, setting clear expectations and creating an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
· Demonstrable experience working in or with a charity/not-for-profit, with a good understanding of governance, compliance and supporter-facing operations (experience in human health, animal health or science an advantage).
· Strong judgement and analytical skills, able to manage competing priorities, budgets and risks and to deliver reliably in a small-organisation environment.
Desirable
· Understanding of the UK charity regulatory environment and good governance practice.
· Experience working with Boards/Trustees, including preparing papers, reporting on delivery and supporting effective decision-making.
· Knowledge and experience of fundraising operations and supporter care.
· Demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, One Medicine.
Job Context and Special Features
This role is a key senior management position within Humanimal Trust, with responsibility for ensuring that strategy is translated into effective delivery, that the operational team is supported to perform at its best, and that the Trust operates with strong governance, compliance and financial control.
This is a one-year fixed term appointment for a 28-hour (3.5 day) working week, starting at the earliest opportunity. The role is home-based in the UK, with occasional travel to other locations in the country.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.