Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and technical finance functions for Ipswich Borough Council.
- Company: Ipswich Borough Council, dedicated to shaping a better future for the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local services during a transformative period for Suffolk.
- Qualifications: Qualified finance professional with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking organisation with career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 63092 - 67853 £ per year.
Salary: £63,092 - £67,853
Hybrid working (min 1 day a week onsite)
Join us in shaping Ipswich's future. We are passionate about making a real difference for our residents, our communities, and our local economy. As a forward-thinking organisation, we are proud to provide a strong voice for Ipswich while delivering the essential services people rely on every day. Our Corporate Strategy, Proud of Ipswich, sets out our ambition to champion our community and revitalise our town and we are determined to make that vision a reality.
We are on an ambitious journey and, as part of this, there is an exciting opportunity for two proactive, passionate, and positive Heads of Finance to bring financial expertise and leadership to the Organisation. Reporting to the Council's Assistant Director, Finance and working closely with our Director of Resources, you will lead our experienced Financial Planning and Technical Finance functions.
Ipswich Borough Council is also preparing for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), a once-in-a-generation transformation in how local services are delivered across Suffolk. These roles will be critical in maintaining strong financial management and resilience throughout this period of change, ensuring the Council is well-positioned for a sustainable future.
The Roles
- Head of Finance Financial Planning and Reporting
- You will lead the Council's financial planning and reporting function, ensuring robust, strategic, and compliant financial management across the organisation. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the development and delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and annual budget-setting process.
- Acting as a principal financial advisor to the Council, Executive, Committees, and senior managers.
- Overseeing budget monitoring and financial reporting to support effective decision-making.
- Line managing the Finance Manager and providing strategic direction to the Financial Planning and Reporting team.
- Driving improvements in financial systems and processes to support effective financial management.
- Identifying opportunities for financial innovation, income generation, and cost reduction.
- Head of Finance Technical
- You will lead the Council's technical finance function, ensuring robust, strategic, and compliant financial operations. Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership on statutory accounting, treasury management, taxation, and financial compliance.
- Acting as a principal financial advisor to the Council, Executive, Committees, and senior managers.
- Leading the closure of accounts, production of the Statement of Accounts, and liaison with External Audit.
- Line managing the Finance Manager and providing strategic direction to the Technical, Treasury, Insurance, Income and Payments team.
- Identifying and leading opportunities for innovation, compliance improvements, and risk mitigation.
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and standards.
About You
We are looking for qualified finance professionals (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with:
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- A track record of delivering high-quality financial services in a complex organisation.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- A proactive, collaborative approach to problem-solving and innovation.
- Highly organised and agile, with the ability to adapt quickly in a changing environment.
- Experience in local government or a similar public sector environment is highly desirable.
Why Join Us?
As well as a good salary, we offer a career average pension scheme, generous holiday and sick pay entitlements, subsidised parking for work and leisure, public transport discounts, free swimming and gym membership, cycle purchase scheme, plenty of personal and professional development opportunities, flexible working, hybrid working opportunities, an employee assistance programme and the opportunity to work with great colleagues.
For the right candidate, the role may include designation as the Council's Deputy Section 151 Officer. Where this applies, an additional allowance of £5,000 will be provided to reflect these statutory responsibilities.
Closing deadline: 8th February 2026
Face to face interviews: 18 February 2026
HEAD OF FINANCE in London employer: Deekay Technical Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Deekay Technical Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HEAD OF FINANCE in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in local government. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Ipswich Borough Council's recent projects and financial strategies. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for making a difference in the community!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your past experiences leading teams and driving financial innovation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Ipswich Borough Council.
We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF FINANCE in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial planning and management. We want to see how your skills align with the specific responsibilities of the Head of Finance role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading teams, don’t forget to include examples of your leadership experience. We’re looking for proactive and positive leaders who can inspire their teams and drive improvements.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and achievements.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Deekay Technical Recruitment
✨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 them in past roles. This shows you’re not just familiar with numbers but can also leverage them for strategic decision-making.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and driving financial improvements. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you led your team through them. This will resonate well with the interviewers looking for strong leadership qualities.
✨Understand Local Government Dynamics
Familiarise yourself with the current landscape of local government finance, especially in relation to Ipswich Borough Council. Being able to discuss recent changes or challenges in local government will show your commitment and understanding of the sector.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to innovate under pressure. Think of situations where you’ve had to make tough financial decisions or implement new processes, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
