Head of Finance

The Role

The Head of Finance is responsible for overseeing the financial control environment to ensure accurate reporting and forecasting of financial performance. The position provides financial scrutiny of major programme estimates and manages relationships with executives, boards, internal teams, and wider stakeholders. The post holder will take an analytical approach to problem-solving and act as a driving force to deliver business objectives within a large, complex, programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure strong financial control in managing public funds and supporting requirements for external funding.
• Work with board committees and the executive team to embed good financial and commercial practices in resource allocation and programme management.
• Deliver insight and oversight to programme delivery activities to support value for money and build trust in financial management.
• Provide effective finance business partnering to the Finance Director, Executive Committee, and senior management.
• Deliver a high-quality financial reporting framework, including cash and management reporting, statutory reporting, and financial audit processes.
• Establish and maintain a robust financial control framework covering systems, policies, procedures, authority, and delegation.
• Act as business owner for the finance ERP system, collaborating on upgrades and improvements with digital and data teams.
• Oversee audit processes, coordinating internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely, accurate, and complete deliverables.
• Lead on reporting to external funding bodies and associated governance meetings, ensuring effective budget setting, forecasting, and financial planning frameworks.
• Provide management information and insightful analysis to support decision-making.
• Manage contingency and risk reporting, cost forecasting, change control, and variance analysis, ensuring alignment between programme and financial structures.
• Lead and manage the finance including Financial Control, Accounts Payable, FP&A, and Business Partnering.

The Successful Candidate

• Fully qualified accountant - ACA / ACCA / CIPFA
• Experience as a Head of Finance or Financial Controller in a complex organisation
• Proven ability to build and manage complex stakeholder relationships, leveraging networks and resources to achieve objectives.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to thrive in a changing environment.
• Blend of technical financial management, systems management, and financial planning/analysis skills.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and managing finance teams, with ability to mentor
• Ideally worked on large scale programmes in the public sector
• Current security clearance preferable

What's On Offer?

• Daily rate of circa £600 - £650 inside IR35
• Immediate start
• Hybrid working, 3 days per week in office
• 12 month contract
• Security clearance