Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK."
This vacancy is now open to external applicants. When you begin your application, you will see a message stating the role is for internal applicants only. This is due to a system limitation. External candidates should still proceed and select the internal applicant option to continue and agree to any statements that ask you to confirm you are internal. This will not affect your application and all eligible candidates will be considered in the usual way.
Head of Finance – Corporate (Deputy S151 Officer)
Generations of inspirational people have left their mark on our famous city, and this is your chance to join them. We're determined to make Plymouth one of the most vibrant waterfront cities in Europe, where an outstanding quality of life is enjoyed by everyone. The City Council plays a central and system-leading role in shaping Plymouth's future; and while we've made significant progress in recent years, we know that there's always more we can do to unlock Plymouth's potential.
This role will be pivotal in leading a high performing finance function, driving excellence in financial management and enabling our diverse services to deliver amazing outcomes. It's essential that annual (and longer-term) financial plans are realistic and robustly managed, and you'll support colleagues at every level across the council to deliver this important responsibility.
You must be a qualified accountant, with a comprehensive grasp of the CIPFA Code of Practice and all other relevant standards and regulations. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, and effective management of a professional workforce, are both essential. An experienced finance leader with a variety and depth of post-qualification experience, you'll bring a commercial mindset and practical knowledge of delivering change and improvement in financial management. We welcome applications from candidates in all sectors who can demonstrate core competencies, skills and experience aligned to public sector finance. Experience of working collaboratively with other senior leaders – service managers, elected members, and our wide range of partners – will be an advantage.
The Head of Finance – Corporate (Deputy Section 151 Officer) role works alongside our Service Director – Finance (Section 151 Officer) and Head of Finance – Strategic Planning and Business Partnering to lead and develop the finance function and drive excellent financial management across the organisation. This role has a focus on corporate finance, treasury management and insurance, and oversight of our £350m capital programme. There is a strong focus on financial governance across the organisation and developing technical & professional competence within the finance department.
If you're motivated by leading people, driving improvement and change, and making a meaningful impact across a large, complex organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.
For more information or an informal discussion regarding this role, please e-mail,
Closing date:- Sunday 22 February 2026
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marri. age/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation
As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.