Head of Finance - Technical

Ipswich Borough Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Ipswich is seeking qualified finance professionals for the role of Head of Finance. This position involves overseeing financial operations, providing strategic guidance, and ensuring compliance amidst upcoming changes in local governance. Candidates should possess leadership skills and experience in delivering financial services within complex organizations. The council offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and significant professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Career average pension scheme

Generous holiday and sick pay

Relocation assistance

Public transport discounts

Free swimming and gym membership

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• A track record of delivering high-quality financial services in a complex organization.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving.
• Highly organized and agile, adapting quickly.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on statutory accounting and compliance.
• Act as principal financial advisor to the Council and senior managers.
• Lead the closure of accounts and liaise with External Audit.
• Manage the Finance Manager and Technical Treasury functions.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and compliance improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Financial services delivery

Communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Education

CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent

Job description

Join us in shaping Ipswich’s future. We are passionate about making a real difference for our residents, our communities, and our local economy. As a forward-thinking organisation, we are proud to provide a strong voice for Ipswich while delivering the essential services people rely on every day. Our Corporate Strategy, Proud of Ipswich sets out our ambition to champion our community and revitalise our town and we’re determined to make that vision a reality.

We are on an ambitious journey and, as part of this, there is an exciting opportunity for two proactive, passionate, and positive Heads of Finance to bring financial District. Reporting to the Council’s Assistant Director, Finance and working closely with our Director of Resources, you will lead our experienced Financial Planning and Technical Finance functions.

Ipswich Borough Council is also preparing for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), a once-in-a-generation transformation in how local services are delivered across Suffolk. These roles will be critical in maintaining strong financial management and resilience throughout this period of change, ensuring the Council is well-positioned for a sustainable future.

You will lead the Council’s technical finance function, ensuring robust, strategic, and compliant financial operations_CONSTANTAY:

• Providing strategic leadership on statutory accounting, treasury management, taxation, and financial compliance.
• Acting as a principal financial advisor to the Council, Executive, Committees, and senior managers.
• Leading the closure of accounts, production of the Statement of Accounts, and liaison with External Audit.
• Line managing the Finance Manager and providing strategic direction to the Technical, Treasury, Insurance, Income and Paymentsapie.
• Identifying and leading opportunities for innovation, compliance improvements, and risk mitigation.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and standards.

About You

We’re looking for qualified finance professionals (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with:

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• A track record of delivering high-quality financial services in a complex organisation.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• A proactive, collaborative approach to problem-solving and innovation.
• Highly organised and agile, with the ability to adapt quickly in a changing environment.

Experience in local government or a similar public sector environment is highly desirable.

Why Join Us?

As well as a good salary, we offer a career average pension scheme, generous holiday and sick pay entitlements, relocation assistance, subsidised parking for work and leisure, public transport discounts, free swimming and gym membership, cycle purchase scheme, plenty of personal and professional development opportunities, flexible working, hybrid working opportunities, an employee assistance programme and the opportunity to work with great colleagues.

For the right candidate,taste role may include designation as the Council’s Deputy Section 151 Officer. Where this applies, an additional allowance of £5,000 will be provided to reflect these statutory responsibilities.

Applying

Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to interview candidates who meet the essential criteria prior to the closing date and/or to close the opportunity to applicants once we receive sufficient applications.

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification to find out more about this role: Head of Finance – Technical.

Applications must be made by sending a current CV, Supporting Statement of not more than 2 A4 pages and Monitoring Form to [e-mail] by the deadline. Please quote REQ01108 on your email.

For a confidential discussion, contact Tamsin Malone, Assistant Director of Finance Email [e-mail] Mobile: [phone].

Closing deadline: 8th February 2026

Face to face interviews: 18 February 2026

Useful Documents

• Corporate Plan, strategies and policies | ipswich.gov.uk
• Statement of Accounts
• Medium Term Financial Plan
• LGR: Case for Change