Head of Finance

Tate Recruitment; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career average pension scheme

Generous holiday and sick pay

Subsidised parking

Public transport discounts

Free gym and swimming membership

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Supportive team and positive workplace culture

Job summary

A public sector organization in Ipswich is searching for a Head of Finance (Technical) to lead technical finance activities. The role includes providing strategic direction, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, and leading teams in technical finance, treasury, and insurance. Ideal candidates will have a CCAB qualification, strong leadership skills, and experience in a complex environment. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits such as a pension scheme and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience managing high-performing finance teams.
• Track record of delivering high-quality technical finance services in complex environments.
• Desire to adapt within a changing landscape.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Proactive and solutions‑focused with drive to innovate.
• Able to adapt in a changing landscape.
• Public sector experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on statutory accounting and financial compliance.
• Act as a key financial advisor to senior leaders.
• Lead year-end processes and closure of accounts.
• Oversee Technical Finance, Treasury, Insurance, Income and Payments teams.
• Ensure financial governance and risk management during organizational change.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Keeping abreast of relevant legislation, standards, and sector developments.

Skills

People leadership skills

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder management

Innovative problem-solving

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Education

CCAB qualification (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Location: Ipswich, Hybrid (minimum 1 day a week onsite)

Are you a forward‑thinking finance leader looking to take ownership of a high‑impact technical finance function? This is an exciting opportunity to join a progressive public‑sector organisation on an ambitious transformation journey, playing a central role in strengthening financial governance, statutory compliance, and long‑term resilience.

We’re supporting a local authority embarking on significant organisational change, including preparation for a once‑in‑a‑generation restructure of local government services. As Head of Finance (Technical), you will help ensure robust financial management throughout this period of transformation while shaping a sustainable future.

The Role

As Head of Finance (Technical), you will lead the organisation’s technical finance activities, providing strategic direction and ensuring all statutory and compliance obligations are met. This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for:

• Providing strategic leadership on statutory accounting, treasury management, taxation, and financial compliance.
• Acting as a key financial advisor to senior leaders, committees, and executive members.
• Leading year‑end processes including the closure of accounts and preparation of the Statement of Accounts.
• Managing the Finance Manager and overseeing Technical Finance, Treasury, Insurance, Income and Payments teams.
• Ensuring financial governance, risk management, and compliance remain strong during organisational change.
• Identifying opportunities to innovate, improve processes, and enhance financial resilience.
• Keeping abreast of relevant legislation, standards, and sector developments.

About You

We’re looking for a confident and collaborative finance leader with:

• A full CCAB qualification (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong people leadership skills and experience managing high‑performing finance teams.
• A track record of delivering high‑quality technical finance services in a complex environment.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder‑management abilities.
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach with the ability to drive innovation.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to adapt within a changing landscape.
• Experience in local government or the wider public sector (highly desirable).

What’s on Offer

Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from:

• Career average pension scheme
• Generous holiday and sick pay
• Subsidised parking and public transport discounts
• Free gym and swimming membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working
• A supportive team and positive workplace culture