Head of Finance in Wilmslow

This is a senior leadership role within the ICO, responsible for leading the Finance function in all aspects of service delivery including financial planning and performance management, statutory financial reporting, and operational finance delivery.

The postholder will promote a collaborative team culture with a focus on staff engagement and continuous improvement to deliver high performance outcomes. The postholder will work closely with the Head of Procurement on commercial and financial governance matters, delivering a strong financial controls environment to ensure compliance with all financial delegations and Managing Public Money.

The Head of Finance, supported by the Finance Director, will lead the team in the creation of appropriate financial strategies to drive value for money outcomes and ensure the long term financial resilience of the ICO.

• Provide effective leadership to the Finance team, ensuring that they are clear about expected standards of performance.
• Ensure strong and effective accounting policies and procedures are in place to control and manage the use of resources and safeguard public money.
• Lead the annual budgeting process to prepare a prioritised and balanced budget, ensuring timely sign off through Executive Team and Management Board.
• Lead the development of longer term financial projections and modelling.
• Support the Director of Finance in the delivery of funding model reviews.
• Lead the Finance team in the provision of regular financial performance monitoring reporting to budget holders and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the preparation of the annual statutory accounts and external audit process ensuring timely completion with positive audit outcomes.
• Provide assurance of effective treasury management processes through effective controls and reporting.
• Ensure the Finance team delivers strong financial transactions performance with timely and accurate recording of income and expenditure.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in all areas of responsibility.
• Act as Information Asset Manager, supporting the Information Asset Owner in ensuring good information governance practice and data protection compliance obligations.
• Deputise for the Director of Finance as appropriate.

• Financial accounting qualification (eg ACCA; ACA; CCAB; CIMA).
• Significant Senior Management experience in a similar role / scale (around 5 years).
• At least five years relevant public sector finance post qualification experience.
• Experience of leading and managing people.
• Experience of leading significant projects from concept to sign off.

• Comprehensive and up to date technical awareness of accounting standards, public sector procurement and budget setting and monitoring.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Personally Effective - excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise and delegate.
• Ability to seek out, manage and influence opportunities for continuous improvement and change.
• Ability to analyse complex financial / operational / statistical information and produce accurate / intelligent forecasts and plans.

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.

Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO's commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.

Closing Date: Please submit your CV and cover letter by 23:59 on Sunday 23rd November 2025. Your cover letter should be no more than 1,000 words and should clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role.