Business Planning Manager

Overview

In this role you will lead the 30-year Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan to secure long-term financial sustainability for housing services. You’ll connect financial planning with operational priorities, asset investment and service delivery, advising senior leaders and elected members through robust modelling and scenario analysis. You will collaborate across Housing, Strategic Finance and Governance to ensure plans meet regulatory requirements and deliver value for tenants. This is a senior, cross-cutting role with influence across the organisation, offering a meaningful opportunity to shape housing investment and governance outcomes.

Pay / Benefits

• generous holiday entitlement
• flexible working opportunities
• opportunities for part-time or job-share arrangements
• support for safeguarding checks as needed
• opportunities to discuss flexible working
• unpaid caring responsibilities accommodation will be considered

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, delivery and review of the 30-year HRA business plan
• Coordinate inputs to maintain a robust, evidence-based plan
• Apply complex financial models, forecasts and sensitivity tests to inform decisions and manage risk
• Provide options appraisals, recommendations and briefings for senior leaders and governance forums
• Ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory and financial requirements including HRA ring-fence and Rent Standard
• Monitor delivery, performance and risks and update the plan as circumstances change
• Align financial planning with operational priorities, asset investment and service delivery
• Incorporate tenant, resident and leaseholder feedback into budgeting and planning
• Collaborate with Housing service and Finance Business Partnering to harmonise Council and Housing Service practices
• Maximise value from the HRA through detailed income/expenditure assessments to secure value for money for tenants and residents

Key requirements

• Detailed knowledge of local authority housing finance and 30-year HRA planning
• Substantial experience in business/financial/strategic planning in a public or housing setting
• Experience of complex financial modelling, scenario analysis and sensitivity testing
• Knowledge of policy and regulatory framework for council housing, including Rent Standard
• Ability to analyse complex financial, operational and policy information and produce clear recommendations
• Experience producing reports, business cases and briefings for senior management and governance bodies
• Strong communication, stakeholder-management and influencing skills across multiple teams
• A relevant degree or professional qualification with appropriate experience, or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience of budget setting and investment decision support
• Comfort deputising for senior managers when needed

• Strong communication and stakeholder-management
• Influencing and collaboration across organisational boundaries
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations
• Financial modelling
• Forecasting and scenario analysis
• Sensitivity testing

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