Chief Finance Officer - Headquarters, Chelmsford

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a strategic, and commercially astute, finance leader to join Essex Police as our Chief Finance Officer (CFO). As CFO, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation. As the senior finance advisor to the Chief Officer Group (Executive Board), you will contribute to critical decisions that influence the future of policing in Essex. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-performing finance function, while also helping to drive transformation, innovation, and value across the Force.

Why Join Us? This is so much more than a finance role – it’s a chance to shape the future of policing in Essex. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking leadership team, working in a dynamic, impactful environment, where your expertise will directly contribute to public safety and organisational excellence.

About the Role: Responsible directly to the Chief Constable, this senior leadership position has responsibility for the development and delivery of a comprehensive finance strategy that directly supports the operational and strategic priorities of Essex Police. You will ensure the highest standards of financial stewardship, governance, and compliance, while also identifying opportunities to drive efficiencies and maximise the impact of public funding.

• Provide strategic financial leadership to the Chief Constable, Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, and senior stakeholders.
• Drive commercial thinking across the organisation, identifying opportunities for savings, investment, and innovation.
• Shape and influence corporate strategy, through active participation in the Chief Officer Group.
• Lead the Finance Department, ensuring effective delivery of all core services, including accounting, payroll, pensions, and financial planning.
• Ensure compliance with the Financial Management Code of Practice and relevant legislation.
• Act as Head of Profession for all finance staff and as Delegated Scheme Manager for the Police Officer Pension Scheme.

About You: You will be a qualified accountant (CCAB recognised) with significant post-qualification experience in senior financial leadership, ideally within a complex public sector environment. You will bring:

• A strong track record of strategic leadership and influencing at Board or Executive level.
• Commercial acumen and the ability to identify and deliver financial efficiencies.
• A clear understanding of public sector finance, governance, and risk.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative and values-driven leadership style, with a commitment to ethical standards and public service.
• A management qualification (e.g. MBA, DMS, or CIPFA Accredited Business Partner) is desirable.

You will receive a competitive salary, and range of benefits, including a car allowance. You will be part of an excellent local government pension scheme, and importantly a committed, collegiate, and friendly working environment. You will also make a difference to all those who live, work or visit Essex.

Individuals must not apply for this vacancy on our online recruitment system. To discover more about this opportunity and to apply, please visit our recruitment partner’s website at https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe122869. If, having read the available information, you would like a confidential discussion to explore the role in more detail, prior to submitting your application, please contact Duncan Collins at: duncan.collins@gatenbysanderson.com or by telephone on 07586 705 475. If you have a disability, or need assistance completing the application process, please also contact Duncan for support.

Essex Police offer incremental increases within this salary band, therefore the salary for this position will rise to a maximum of £111,999.00. All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete. Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status. If you require extra support at any stage of the application process please let Duncan Collins know at: duncan.collins@gatenbysanderson.com or by telephone on 07586 705 475 stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces. Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes. As a Disability Confident Leader we have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation and are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work. Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.