Forest Services (FS) Financial Controller in Bristol

The Forestry Commission is the government’s forestry expert, working across England to inform, demonstrate and enable what delivers multiple benefits from trees, woods and forests. We collaborate across sectors so that forestry contributes to environmental resilience, climate action, timber security, and benefits for people and communities. We are a Non-Ministerial Government Department with a Royal Charter and part of Defra, the government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities.

As Financial Controller for Forest Services, you will provide strategic financial leadership across a complex and high‑profile national function. You will ensure that leaders have the financial insight, evidence and narrative needed to make confident decisions that support the successful delivery of the Forestry Commission Strategy. Your work will directly enable Forest Services to contribute to national goals to expand tree cover, improve woodland condition, and strengthen the long‑term resilience of the forestry sector. This is a significant opportunity for a forward‑thinking finance leader who wants to shape how the organisation meets some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Insight: Provide incisive financial analysis that translates complex information into clear insight for senior leaders. Develop compelling financial narrative that connects resources to strategic goals and long‑term environmental outcomes. Lead consolidated financial reporting for Forest Services and contribute to wider Forestry Commission reporting.
• Planning & Performance: Support medium and long‑term financial planning aligned to the Forestry Commission’s strategic goals, including expanding, diversifying and improving England’s woodlands. Strengthen financial governance, transparency and stewardship across Forest Services. Ensure resource allocation and financial controls support organisational resilience and future readiness.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion improvements in the quality, timeliness and clarity of financial outputs. Embed learning from audits, stakeholder feedback and performance reviews to drive continuous improvement. Contribute financial leadership to change and transformation programmes that improve financial capability and modernise how we operate.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead and develop a high‑performing finance team, building capability, confidence and professional growth. Foster an inclusive, collaborative and outward‑looking team culture aligned with the Forestry Commission’s values and strategic approach. Encourage innovation, curiosity and problem‑solving across the team.

This role sits within a dynamic organisation, and responsibilities may evolve over time as we continue to develop our structures, services and ways of working. The post holder will therefore need to be adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment.

Person Specification

You will be a professionally qualified accountant with a CCAB or CIMA body, bringing experience across a range of financial disciplines and the confidence to operate in a complex public‑sector environment. Your professional credibility will allow you to provide clear strategic advice, sound financial stewardship and strong analytical insight to senior leaders. As an experienced people leader, you will be motivated by developing others and enabling high performance. You will create a supportive and inclusive team culture, empowering colleagues to grow their capability, experiment with new ideas and contribute to continuous improvement. You will value collaboration and openness, recognising the importance of working across teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals. You will communicate with clarity, presenting financial information in a compelling and accessible way so that non‑finance colleagues can make confident, evidence‑based decisions. You will be comfortable influencing at senior levels and shaping discussions using a strong narrative grounded in robust analysis. Above all, you will combine strategic thinking with a commitment to improving financial governance and capability. You will be curious, improvement‑driven and able to see the bigger picture, ensuring the Forestry Commission’s financial leadership supports long‑term environmental, economic and societal outcomes.

Qualifications

A qualified accountant. Memberships Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) or Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Behaviours

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership, Delivering at Pace, Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.