Head of Finance

The Health and Care Professions Council; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday + bank

8% employer pension

Enhanced employee assistance and life­

free online 24/7 GP

ongoing training and professional memb

Job summary

The Health and Care Professions Council is seeking an experienced Head of Finance to lead the Finance and Commercial function during a period of organisational development. You will provide strategic financial leadership, ensure robust governance, and drive a high-performing finance operation in a public sector regulatory setting.

You will own reporting, audits, budgeting, and financial planning, while advising senior leadership and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Recognised professional accountancy qualification (ICAEW, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent).
• Significant senior finance leadership experience at Head of Finance level or equivalent.
• Ability to influence and advise Executive Teams, Boards, Councils and Committees, and build external relationships.
• Experience developing financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Experience leading statutory accounts preparation and external audits, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Strong governance, risk management and internal controls experience.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and enhancing financial processes and systems.
• Keen to hear from candidates with Public Sector, Regulatory or Not-for-Profit background.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance and Commercial function, setting direction and building a trusted, high-performing team.
• Own the Annual Report and Accounts and external audit process, with timely delivery and clean opinion.
• Maintain robust internal financial controls, policies and Financial Regulations, with assured operation.
• Lead budget setting and financial strategy, fee reviews, scenario modelling and monthly reporting.
• Oversee finance operations including purchase-to-pay, income and treasury, and finance system development.
• Oversee procurement, remuneration and pension administration ensuring value for money and compliance.
• Provide expert financial advice to Council and Committees, including paper preparation and presentation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting & forecasting

Audit & governance

Financial controls

Public sector/regulatory experience

Education

Professional accountancy qualification (ICAEW, CIMA, ACCA)

Job description

We are hiring an experienced and commercially minded Head of Finance to lead our Finance and Commercial function during an exciting period of organisational development. Reporting to the Executive Director of Resources and working closely with the Senior Leadership Group, Council and Committees, you will provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation, ensuring robust financial management, strong governance and the delivery of an effective and high-performing finance function. This is an outstanding opportunity for a qualified accountant looking to combine strategic influence with operational leadership in a highly visible role where your expertise will directly support organisational performance, decision-making and long term sustainability.

Job Role

Your responsibilities will include.

• Leading the Finance and Commercial function, setting direction and developing a team that is trusted, responsive and continuously improving.
• Own the Annual Report and Accounts and the external audit process, jointly with Governance and Communications colleagues. delivering on time and securing a clean audit opinion.
• Maintain a robust framework of internal financial control, financial policies and Financial Regulations, and provide assurance on their operation.
• Lead budget setting and financial strategy, fee reviews, scenario modelling and monthly management reporting.
• Oversee finance operations, including purchase to pay, income and credit control, treasury and the development of the finance system.
• Oversee functions including procurement, renumeration and pension administration ensuring value for money, legal compliance and the highest standards of integrity.
• Provide expert financial advice to Council and its Committees, including the preparation and presentation of papers.

Person Specification

We are looking for candidates that have:

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification (ICAEW, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent).
• Significant senior finance leadership experience, operating successfully at Head of Finance level or equivalent.
• A proven ability to influence and advise Executive Teams, Boards, Councils and Committees, and to build effective relationships with external stakeholders
• Experience developing financial strategy and leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Experience leading statutory accounts preparation and external audits, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• A strong track record of implementing and maintaining effective financial controls, governance and risk management frameworks.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, with experience enhancing financial processes, systems and ways of working.

We are keen to hear from candidates that have worked in Public Sector, Regulatory or Not for profit organisations.

Rewards and Benefits

• 30 days holiday + bank
• 8% employer pension
• enhanced employee assistance and lifestyle rewards
• free online 24/7 GP
• ongoing training and professional membership support

Advert Closing Date: 28th October 2026 1pm

First Interviews: 2nd to 6th November, online

Final Interviews: 16th November (in person at our office in London SE11). Competency based interview with panel presentation and the opportunity to meet with colleagues across the organisation.

Eligibility

• Permanently reside in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.
• Agree to HCPC’s hybrid working policy, minimum attendance of 1-2 days each week in the London office, with additional days as required.
• Provide original document checks, as part of pre-employment screening.
• Complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check.

Application Process

We are unable to provide feedback at application stage.

Candidates will be notified promptly of the outcome at each stage.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

The HCPC's vision is to be recognised as an actively anti-discriminatory organisation that upholds and promotes best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion and an active ally for change. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply to join the HCPC. Please refer to HCPCs Behavioural Standards Framework.