Location of Role: Chelmsford
Advert Closing Date: 15/09/2025
Starting Salary: £74,226.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)
Part/Full Time: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Mon-Fri
Weekend/Evening Working: No
Are you a strategic finance leader ready to make a difference in public service? Essex Police is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Finance to lead our financial operations and drive excellence across budgeting, accounting, and strategic planning.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Chief Finance Officer, the Head of Finance will:
1. Lead the preparation and monitoring of revenue and capital budgets.
2. Oversee the closure of final accounts and production of statutory statements.
3. Provide strategic financial advice to Chief Officers and budget holders.
4. Manage financial aspects of major incidents and operations.
5. Drive continuous improvement and value-for-money initiatives.
6. Represent the Force and deputise for the Chief Finance Officer when required.
You will also be responsible for managing a team of three direct reports, providing leadership, coaching, and development to ensure high performance and professional service delivery.
About You
You will be a qualified CCAB Accountant with:
7. At least 5 years’ post-qualification experience, including 2 years at senior management level.
8. Proven leadership in financial management within a large organisation, ideally in the public sector.
9. Strong communication, project planning, and analytical skills.
10. A commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and professional development.
11. IT literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office and financial systems.
Working Arrangements
We operate in an agile and flexible working environment, offering the opportunity to work from home. In the event that home working is agreed for the successful candidate, there will be a requirement to regularly attend the contractual workplace for a minimum of two days per week. Flexibility in working hours may be needed due to operational demands.
You will be based at Essex Police Headquarters, Chelmsford, which is within walking distance of the city centre, train station and bus routes. Occasional travel across the county, and nationally, when required.
What We Offer in Return
12. 24 days annual leave per year, increasing with service.
13. Opportunity to support the delivery of policing services within Essex.
14. Enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
15. Access to health services via our in-house Occupational Health and Welfare team.
16. For members of the Sports and Social Association: access to on-site gym facilities, discounts at a variety of shops and restaurants, and discounted excursions.
Essex Police offer incremental increases within this salary band, therefore the salary for this position will rise to a maximum of £83,697.00.
All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete.
Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.
If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.
As a Disability Confident Leader we:
17. have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation
18. are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.
Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.
Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.
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