Chief Financial Officer

ACCA Careers; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Forestry Commission is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join our Board and Executive Team, reporting to the Chief Executive. This role combines strategic financial stewardship with driving organisational performance, growth and long-term sustainability.

We seek an experienced, values-led executive with strong financial and business expertise, capable of leading high-performing teams and influencing strategy.

Qualifications

• Qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant with senior post-qualification experience.
• Experience developing and supporting business growth.
• Track record of building and leading high-performing teams and inclusive culture.
• Strong analytical, synthesis and evaluation abilities to inform strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy, planning and governance, driving growth and value for money.
• Ensure financial integrity, compliance and probity in public sector accounting.
• Partner with the CEO to enhance commercial acumen and performance.
• Oversee annual budget planning and long-term financial trajectory for sustainability.
• Drive process improvements, value for money and accurate financial reporting.

Skills

Financial leadership

Senior leadership

Public sector accounting

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

CCAB or CIMA qualification

Tools

Job description

Location

The role is based out of our Bristol office with the option of hybrid working

Forestry Commission

Location

The role is based out of our Bristol office with the option of hybrid working

Job Summary

About the job

We are now seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join our Board and Executive Team. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this is a broad and influential leadership role, combining strategic financial stewardship with responsibility for shaping organisational performance, commercial growth and long-term sustainability.

We’re looking for an experienced and values-led executive who combines strong financial and business expertise with a collaborative leadership style. You will be a qualified accountant with a track record of operating at senior leadership level, developing successful teams and influencing organisational strategy. You will bring commercial insight, strategic judgement and the ability to lead through change. Most importantly, you will share our ambition to create lasting value for people, nature and future generations.

This is a rare opportunity to join one of England’s most distinctive organisations at an important point in its development. If you are excited by the prospect of combining strategic financial leadership with environmental and social impact at scale, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Key Accountabilities

• Leadership of financial strategy, financial planning and an active leadership role on driving growth, value for money, audit, financial management and control, long term financial and strategic investment planning, best practice commercial procurement and contract management.
• Ensuring financial integrity, accountability and all statutory requirements are met, advising the Accounting Officer (Chief Executive) on all matters of financial probity, fraud, statutory compliance all within public sector accounting requirements, including consolidated budgeting guidance and managing public money.
• Being a strategic partner to the Chief Executive, through a period of change and increasing scrutiny of business performance and intent to grow commercial acumen.
• Oversee annual Forestry England budget planning and implementation, and preparation of the longer-term financial trajectory, ensuring that the organisation's target of achieving financial sustainability remains on track.
• Working with the Chief Operating Officer, to drive trading business improvement and growth, consider investment appraisals and ensure that Forestry England is efficient, providing excellent value for money and public benefit, with the management information to inform decision making.
• Taking responsibility for the development of outstanding management and external financial reporting, providing accurate, comprehensive, yet succinct and coherent, information that complies with all regulatory needs.
• Represent Forestry England in the wider Forestry Commission corporate services and systems change project.
• Oversee the relationship where Forestry England provides resource services to other parts of the Forestry Commission ensuring continuing development of the service, and financial compensation.
• Leading change in pursuit of strategic objectives in addition to influencing, encouraging innovation, ensuring high-quality delivery, and sharing best practice across Forestry England and the wider Forestry Commission.
• Building strong, progressive relationships, within and beyond Forestry England, working closely with other FC Group Finance Directors and members of the Forestry Commission Executive Board, as well as wider stakeholders and internal and external auditors.
• Inspire colleagues to secure new funding streams from all sources, including close working with the Forestry Commission’s Chief Finance & Corporate Officer to secure (Defra) funding both in year and for future periods.

Person specification

It is important that, through your CV and supporting statement, you provide evidence of the professional skills, breadth of experience and personal qualities for this post.

Essential Criteria

• A relevant financial qualification (qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant) with senior, practical post-qualification experience.
• Evidence of developing and supporting business growth.
• A track record of building and leading high-performing teams, by developing capability and creating an inclusive culture.
• Evidence of high-quality abilities in analysis, synthesis and evaluation to inform strategic direction and optimise resource efficiency.
• Experience of driving continuous improvement across highly specialised functions for organisations of comparable scale and complexity.
• Experience of using customer and stakeholder insight to develop services, increase commercial acumen and growth, and sustain a dynamic high performing culture.
• A good communicator with an ability to develop and sustain constructive relationships with Board and other senior-level stakeholders in challenging situations.
• The ability to strategically lead a range of resource functions and be an inspiring member of the leadership team of a complex organisation.
• Experience of financial system change and implementation
• A strategic thinker with the ability to support at an operational finance level when necessary.
• Living our Values of Think Beyond A Lifetime; Be Adventurous; Do It Together; and Look Out And Look After.

Desired criteria

• An enthusiasm for the environment or land-based enterprise such as forestry, land management or outdoor commercial leisure.
• Experience gained across different business sectors.
• Experience of working with land assets, property, visitor attractions, green finance, or another relevant sector.