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- Tasks: Lead financial management and transformation for Bristol City Council, shaping the city's financial future.
- Company: Bristol City Council, a vibrant and ambitious local authority committed to social justice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous holidays, and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic city while championing equality and inclusion.
- Qualifications: CCAB-qualified finance professional with senior leadership experience in complex organisations.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on innovation and public service.
The predicted salary is between 78158 - 86607 ÂŁ per year.
Salary ÂŁ78,158 - ÂŁ86,607, with potential for Market Supplement of up to 15%
Location: City Hall, Bristol (Hybrid working)
Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time
We currently have the following opportunities within our Finance service:
- Head of Finance – Financial Management
- Head of Finance – Financial Transformation & Improvement
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.
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 an 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.
To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement that details how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification. 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.
Head of Finance - 2 x Opportunities in England employer: BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL
Contact Detail:
BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance - 2 x Opportunities in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its financial strategies. Understand their challenges and think about how your skills can help them tackle these issues. This shows you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in making a difference at Bristol City Council.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role of Head of Finance. Keep it concise but impactful – think of it as your personal brand statement that highlights your leadership and financial expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the exciting future of finance in Bristol. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance - 2 x Opportunities in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the specific role you're applying for. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially around financial leadership and strategic influence.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As a Head of Finance, your leadership style matters. Share examples of how you've led teams through change and fostered inclusive cultures. This will show us you're not just about numbers but also about people.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at Bristol City Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. This shows you’re not just about the numbers but also about strategic insight.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams through change. Discuss how you’ve fostered inclusive cultures and empowered your team to achieve high performance. This is crucial for a role that requires strong people management.
✨Understand the Political Landscape
Familiarise yourself with Bristol City Council’s current financial challenges and opportunities. Be prepared to discuss how you would navigate the political environment and work collaboratively with elected members and stakeholders to achieve financial sustainability.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the Council's vision for financial transformation or how they measure success in their finance department. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.