Head of Finance - 2 x Opportunities

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Job description
We currently have the following opportunities within our Finance service:

• Head of Finance - Financial Management

• Head of Finance - Financial Transformation & Improvement

Permanent, Full Time

Location: City Hall, Bristol (Hybrid working)

Shape the future of a city that dares to be different

Bristol is one of the UK's most vibrant, innovative and ambitious cities. With a strong sense of identity, a clear long-term vision and a commitment to social justice, sustainability and inclusive growth, Bristol City Council plays a pivotal role in improving outcomes for people who live, work and visit the city.

Sound financial leadership is fundamental to achieving this vision. As we continue to respond to financial challenges while delivering major transformation and investment programmes, we are strengthening our senior finance leadership team and are recruiting to two high-profile Head of Finance roles:

• Head of Finance - Financial Management
• Head of Finance - Financial Transformation & Improvement

Both roles report directly to the Director of Finance, working alongside our Head of Strategic Finance, and operate at the heart of the organisation's strategic and corporate leadership.

About the roles

These are senior, high-profile leadership roles at the heart of Bristol City Council, offering a genuine opportunity to shape the financial future of one of the UK's most ambitious and values-driven cities. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance and working closely with the Head of Strategic Finance, both posts operate as trusted members of the organisation's strategic and corporate leadership community.

Together, the two Heads of Finance play a pivotal role in securing the Council's financial sustainability while enabling innovation, transformation and investment. They work in close partnership, bringing complementary strengths to a shared ambition: strong stewardship of public resources alongside a finance function that adds real strategic value to services, communities and elected members.

The Head of Finance - Financial Management leads the Council's financial management and business partnering activity, ensuring high-quality advice, robust governance and effective financial control across services. This role champions excellent financial management, supports informed decision-making and builds strong relationships with senior leaders to embed accountability and value for money.

The Head of Finance - Financial Transformation & Improvement focuses on forward planning, innovation and change. This role drives improvement across finance and the wider organisation, developing financial planning and transformation programmes. It is about strengthening insight, capability and resilience so the Council is well placed to meet both current pressures and long-term challenges.

In both roles, you will be a visible and inclusive leader, working with Executive Directors, senior officers, elected members and partners. You will represent Bristol locally, regionally and nationally, championing best practice in public sector financial management and modelling the Council's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

About you

We are looking for credible, forward-thinking finance leaders who are motivated by public service and excited by complex challenge. You will be a fully CCAB-qualified (or equivalent) professional with significant post-qualification experience and a strong commitment to ongoing development.

You will bring senior-level experience of providing financial leadership, assurance and strategic influence within a large, complex organisation. You are confident working in a demanding and evolving environment, able to exercise sound judgement, solve complex problems and balance financial discipline with creativity and innovation.

Strong relationships matter here. You will have a proven track record of working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, including executive leaders, elected members, auditors and external partners, and of building trust through clear, insightful advice. Experience of operating in a political environment, and an understanding of governance and council-owned companies, would be an advantage.

Just as importantly, you will be a people-centred leader. You will have experience of leading teams through change, setting high professional standards and creating inclusive, high-performing cultures where people feel empowered to do their best work. If you are passionate about using finance as a force for good, and want to make a visible difference in a city that dares to be different, these roles offer a exciting next step.

Why Bristol City Council?

We're proud to be a city that's undergoing major change. Working towards shared goals, our people enjoy a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. We offer:

• The chance to work at senior level on issues that genuinely matter to people and communities
• A collaborative, values-driven culture with a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• A hybrid working approach, with flexibility balanced against business need
• The opportunity to shape the future of finance in one of the UK's most dynamic cities

You'll receive a competitive salary, flexible working options, generous holiday entitlement, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. We also offer agile working practices, family-friendly policies, and a supportive management culture.

For further information please see attached the full job description and person specification.

To arrange an informal conversation with Sarah Chodkiewicz, Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer), please contact andrea.james@bristol.gov.uk

Apply

To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement that details how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification.

Closing date: Sunday 12th April 2026

No agencies please.

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.