£70,919 - £78,556
Full time, Permanent
We’re currently recruiting for a Finance Business Partner to lead the finance support for the Children and Education directorate.
Shape the future of services that change children's lives in one of the UK's most ambitious local authorities
This is far more than a finance leadership position.
You will provide strategic financial leadership for a circa £500 million portfolio at the heart of Bristol City Council, influencing critical decisions across Children's Social Care, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), education services and major transformation programmes.
The opportunity
Leading a high-performing finance team, you will be the trusted advisor to senior officers and elected members, driving financial sustainability, service transformation and improved outcomes for children and young people.
You will play a pivotal role in budget setting, financial planning, performance reporting and the delivery of complex change programmes, including the Stable Homes Programme and wider SEND transformation initiatives.
What you will bring
- Significant experience leading finance teams in a complex organisation
- Strong finance business partnering expertise with large-scale and complex budgets
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive strategic decisions
- Strong commercial and analytical skills, balancing financial discipline with service outcomes
- Experience within children's social care, SEND or education funding environments including familiarity with governance of the Dedicated Schools Grant
- Full CCAB qualification (essential)
You will be motivated by complexity, inspired by public service and excited by the opportunity to help shape services that have a lasting impact on the lives of children, young people and families.
If you are looking for a career-defining leadership role where your expertise will influence major strategic decisions, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
For informal enquiries please contact: ben.hegarty@bristol.gov.uk or sarah.chodkiewicz@bristol.gov.uk
How to apply
To apply, send us your:
- CV, no more than 2 sides
- a supporting statement, with a maximum of 1,000 words, which demonstrates by practical example how you meet the following:
- full CCAB (or equivalent qualification).
Email your CV and supporting statement to finance_recruitment@bristol.gov.uk
Closing date: Monday 19 October 2026.
The role is subject to a standards DBS check.
Applicants are required to have the right to work in the UK.
No agencies please.
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black and racially minoritised candidates, Disabled candidates, young people and LGBTQ+ candidates, who are currently under-represented within this service area of Bristol City Council.
Appointments will be made on merit.