Director of Property and Finance

Brighton & Hove City Council; England; On-site; GBP 123,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is seeking a Director of Property and Finance to lead financial management and oversee strategic property decisions. This senior role requires strong leadership skills and public sector experience. The successful candidate will play a crucial part in shaping the council's future and ensuring effective service delivery. The salary for this position ranges from £123,840 to £139,320 per year, reflecting the high level of responsibility involved.

Benefits

Relocation support up to £10,000

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in a senior financial role, ideally within the public sector.
• Strong leadership capabilities to influence and direct teams effectively.
• Ability to navigate complex property and financial management challenges.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial management and strategic property decisions.
• Lead the service directorate management team.
• Shape the future direction of Brighton & Hove City Council.

Skills

Strategic financial management

Leadership and management

Property portfolio management

Public sector experience

Change management

Education

Relevant professional qualification

Job description

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Job introduction

Want to help shape a better Brighton & Hove for all?

Brighton & Hove is a bold, diverse and iconic coastal city. It's a place our residents, workforce, businesses and visitors care deeply about. With rich cultural assets and a vibrant community spirit, we also face complex social challenges and stark inequalities that demand courageous leadership and fresh thinking.

Like many councils, we're navigating a tough financial landscape. But we're not standing still. Our leadership team is united in tackling these challenges head-on, backed by an ambitious transformation programme and a commitment to innovation.

You’ll be joining a learning organisation that values collaboration, creativity and impact.

We're looking for a strategic, forward-thinking leader to join our corporate leadership team and report directly to the chief executive.

As our statutory Section 151 officer, you’ll lead the charge in delivering robust financial management and unlocking the potential of our property portfolio to benefit all our communities. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the city, ensuring our resources are used wisely and our ambitions are realised.

This is a defining moment for Brighton & Hove. If you’re ready to lead with purpose, drive change and make a lasting difference, we want to hear from you.

How to apply

To find out more about this unique and exciting opportunity, please contact our recruitment partner for this role at Penna; Andrew Tromans at CIPFA Penna on 07805 226301 or [e-mail].

Closing Date: midnight 3rd December 2025

Interviews: w/c 15 December

Prior to the interview date, the council will also undertake a technical interview with shortlisted candidates.

For an informal conversation with Jess Gibbons, Chief Executive, please contact [e-mail].

About the role

At Brighton and Hove, we take a one Council approach to achieving our mission to create a better Brighton and Hove for all.

You will be part of the Corporate Leadership Team. Together we set the tone and culture of the organisation. We are the most senior strategic advisors to the Council. We ensure the Council resources are aligned to the delivery of the Council plan. Our values and behaviours are key to us creating a City Council fit to meet the needs of our residents.

As part of the extended Corporate Leadership team, you will stand with us in our commitment to be visible and adaptive leaders; to connect the organisation and with our residents; to create space for creativity and innovation; to reflect and learn from our mistakes; and to strive to build psychological safety throughout our interactions.

As Director of Property and Finance, you will report directly to the CEO. You will lead the overall direction and continuous improvement of the council to ensure the effective provision of services and the delivery of priorities as set out by members and in the Council Plan.

Your areas of direct responsibility include the statutory S151 role, Strategic Property and estates management, Welfare, Revenues & Business Support, Financial Operations and Procurement and Audit (via our shared services partnership ORBIS).

You will lead and manage a service directorate management team made up of:

• Head of Strategic Property
• Head of Welfare, Revenues and Business Support
• Deputy Chief Finance Officer and Head of Corporate Finance
• Head of Finance, Families, Children and Wellbeing Directorate
• Head of Finance, Homes and Adult Social Care Directorate
• Head of Finance, City, Central & Contracted Services
• Orbis roles: Chief Internal Auditor and Orbis Director of Procurement

This role is politically restricted. For further information on what this means for employees in post, please click on the document attachment below.

Additional information

Key documents relevant to this role are available from the Director of Property and Finance microsite.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

We are able to offer support with relocation expenses (up to £10,000) if qualifying criteria is met.

For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk).

Enhanced vetting for senior recruitment

As part of our pre‑employment checks, please be aware that our audit team will carry out a public profile search on all candidates who progress to the shortlist. Our final offers are subject to enhanced vetting, which also includes a review of the previous 5 years employment history. If there are any findings of potential concern, these will be discussed before any job offer is made.

Company information

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and How we create a fair and inclusive workplace.

Salary range

• £123,840 - £139,320 per year