At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial oversight and governance for Bristol's city-owned companies.
- Company: Bristol Holding Ltd, supporting Bristol City Council's strategic direction.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on delivering essential services and driving innovation.
- Why this job: Influence commercial strategy and strengthen accountability in a vital public role.
- Qualifications: Strong finance background with experience in governance and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Strengthen Oversight and Value Across Bristol’s City-Owned Companies. Bristol Holding Ltd (BHL) with Bristol City Council is seeking an experienced finance and assurance leader to provide independent oversight, robust governance and clear shareholder assurance across Bristol City Council’s wholly owned companies. This is a senior role with high autonomy and significant influence, supporting better commercial decision making and long-term value for the people of Bristol.
If you are a technically strong, commercially minded finance professional who can operate confidently across complex stakeholder environments, this role offers challenge, visibility, and clear public purpose.
About Bristol Holding Ltd: Since 2015, Bristol City Council has used local authority trading companies to deliver services, drive innovation and reinvest value back into the city. As sole shareholder, the Council sets strategic direction and oversees performance through defined governance arrangements. BHL supports the Council in this role, providing oversight, assurance, and a small number of shared services across the group. It is the parent company of two high-profile organisations.
- Bristol Waste Company delivers recycling, waste collection, street cleansing, and facilities management across the city. It employs over 800 colleagues and operates at significant scale, delivering around 17 million collections each year. The business is entering a period of transformation, including contract renewal, investment in fleet and infrastructure, and responding to evolving regulation.
- Goram Homes is Bristol’s commercial housing delivery company, focused on accelerating new homes, including social and affordable housing. It is moving into a phase of increased delivery through joint ventures and partnerships, playing a key role in addressing housing need and supporting sustainable growth.
The role: Following a successful period of interim leadership, BHL is now recruiting a permanent Finance and Assurance Director to build on strengthened governance and improved reporting. This is a senior, influential role operating with a high degree of independence. This is primarily a strategic financial oversight, governance, and assurance leadership role rather than a transactional operational finance post reporting to the Chair and Shareholder.
You will act as a trusted adviser and constructive challenger to subsidiary boards and executive teams, while providing clear, independent assurance to the Council as shareholder. You will play a central role in ensuring the group is financially resilient, well-governed and positioned for long-term success.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide independent financial oversight and assurance across the group
- Lead governance, reporting, risk management, and internal control
- Support delivery of ambitious business plans, challenging assumptions and performance where required
- Strengthen alignment between Council financial planning and company business plans
- Enable clear, effective communication between the Council and its companies
- Protect and enhance shareholder value through transparency and accountability
- Contribute to the development of BHL as a centre of excellence for assurance and oversight
This role requires the confidence to speak truth to power, balancing support with challenge in the interests of strong governance and better outcomes.
Why join: Bristol’s wholly owned companies play a critical role in delivering services, managing risk, and unlocking value at a time of increasing demand and financial pressure. As Finance and Assurance Director, you will sit at the centre of this system, influencing commercial strategy, strengthening accountability, and supporting long-term resilience across Bristol’s city-owned businesses.
With ambitious plans and a clear public purpose, this is a compelling opportunity for a senior finance leader who wants their work to have visible impact. Full time or part time (minimum 22 hours per week, salary pro-rata accordingly). Hybrid working arrangements.
At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals.
Finance & Assurance Director in London employer: Tile Hill Executive Recruitment
Bristol Holding Ltd (BHL) offers an exceptional work environment for finance professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the community. With a strong commitment to governance and transparency, employees benefit from a culture of collaboration and innovation, alongside opportunities for professional growth within Bristol's city-owned companies. The hybrid working arrangements and focus on inclusion ensure that all team members feel valued and empowered to contribute to the city's long-term success.
Contact Details:
Tile Hill Executive Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance & Assurance Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and assurance sector, especially those who have experience with local authorities or city-owned companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Bristol Holding Ltd and its subsidiaries. Understand their challenges and how your skills can help them navigate complex stakeholder environments. This will show you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the role of Finance and Assurance Director. Highlight your ability to provide independent oversight and strengthen governance, as these are key aspects of the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance & Assurance Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in finance and assurance. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Finance & Assurance Director, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about influence and governance, so be sure to include examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. We’re looking for someone who can confidently navigate complex stakeholder environments, so let us know how you’ve done that!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your passion for the role shines through without fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can review them promptly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Bristol Holding Ltd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tile Hill Executive Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance & Assurance Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your technical expertise. Brush up on key financial metrics and governance frameworks relevant to Bristol Holding Ltd. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles to drive value and ensure compliance.
✨Understand the Stakeholder Landscape
This role involves navigating complex stakeholder environments. Research Bristol City Council and its wholly owned companies. Familiarise yourself with their strategic goals and challenges, so you can speak confidently about how you would align financial oversight with their objectives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to balance support with challenge. Prepare examples of how you've provided independent assurance while also being a trusted adviser. Think about specific situations where you’ve influenced decision-making or improved governance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This position requires strong leadership skills. Be prepared to discuss your approach to leading teams and fostering collaboration. Highlight experiences where you’ve successfully managed change or driven performance improvements in a governance context.
