Full time, Permanent
Shape the future of a city that dares to be different
Bristol is one of the UK’s most vibrant, innovative and ambitious cities. With a strong sense of identity, a clear long‑term vision and a commitment to social justice, sustainability and inclusive growth, Bristol City Council plays a pivotal role in improving outcomes for people who live, work and visit the city.
Sound financial leadership is fundamental to achieving this vision. Housing in Bristol is undertaking a clear journey of improvement, transformation and development, with workstreams around implementation of housing regulation changes, improving our homes and tenant experience, underpinned by a Housing Revenue Account Business Plan which reflects our ambition. We are also transforming the way we support citizens in housing needs, homelessness and improving standards in the private rented sector.
As we continue to respond to financial challenges while delivering major transformation and investment programmes, we are strengthening our senior finance leadership team to drive definitive improvement to the financial services supporting this area of the council’s remit, which is a critical enabler of core elements of our corporate strategy.
The role reports directly to the Director of Finance, working alongside our other finance Heads of Service and operates at the heart of the organisation’s strategic and corporate leadership, with direct link and alignment to the Housing Directorate senior leadership and Members.
About the role
This is a senior, high‑profile leadership role at the heart of Bristol City Council, offering a genuine opportunity to shape the financial future of housing in one of the UK’s most ambitious and values‑driven cities. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance and working closely with the other financial Heads of Service the post operates as trusted member of the organisation’s strategic and corporate leadership community along with working closely with the new Housing Directorate Management Team.
The Heads of Finance play a pivotal role in securing the Council’s financial sustainability while enabling innovation, transformation and investment. They work in close partnership, bringing complementary strengths to a shared ambition: strong stewardship of public resources alongside a finance function that adds real strategic value to services, communities and elected members.
This post leads the Council’s financial management, budgetary development (including the HRA’s 30-year plan) and financial oversight and advice to housing services, ensuring high‑quality advice, robust governance and effective financial control across services.
The role champions excellent financial management and supports informed decision‑making, whilst building strong relationships with senior leaders to embed accountability and value for money.
Bristol City Council owns and manages 26,500 homes as well as around 2,000 leaseholders. Within the HRA there is an annual income and budget of £163.3 million in 2026/27, alongside this there is a significant capital programme of £114.3 million in 2026/27 delivering stock maintenance and improvements and housing development. The General Fund Housing budgets cover £32 million, with a further £35 million of capital investment for 2026/27.
There is a clear focus on forward planning, innovation and change. This role drives improvement across the housing finance space and the integration of finance with the housing services and wider organisation, developing financial planning and transformation programmes. It is about strengthening insight, capability and resilience so the Council and our housing services are well placed to meet both current pressures and long‑term challenges.
You will be a visible and inclusive leader, working particularly with the Executive Director of Housing, senior officers, elected members and partners. You will represent Bristol locally, regionally and nationally, championing best practice in public sector financial management and modelling the Council’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
About you
We are looking for credible, forward‑thinking finance leader who is motivated by public service and excited by complex challenge. You will be a fully CCAB‑qualified (or equivalent) professional with significant post‑qualification experience and a strong commitment to ongoing development.
Critical to this role is an understanding of and experience in a housing setting, preferably with experience of Housing Revenue Account 30-year Business Planning in a local authority as well as managing a large capital programme of housing development and maintenance.
You will bring senior‑level experience of providing financial leadership, assurance and strategic influence within a large, complex organisation. You are confident working in a demanding and evolving environment, able to exercise sound judgement, solve complex problems and balance financial discipline with creativity and innovation.
Strong relationships matter here. You will have a proven track record of working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, including executive leaders, elected members, auditors and external partners, and of building trust through clear, insightful advice. Experience of operating in a political environment, and an understanding of governance and council‑owned companies, would be an advantage.
Just as importantly, you will be a people‑centred leader. You will have experience of leading teams through change, setting high professional standards and creating inclusive, high‑performing cultures where people feel empowered to do their best work.
If you are passionate about using finance as a force for good and want to make a visible difference in a city that dares to be different, these roles offer an exciting opportunity.
Why Bristol City Council?
We offer:
- The chance to work at senior level on issues that genuinely matter to people and communities
- A collaborative, values‑driven culture with a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- A hybrid working approach, with flexibility balanced against business need
- The opportunity to shape the future of finance in one of the UK’s most dynamic cities
- Generous annual leave entitlement and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
Bristol City Council is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the city we serve. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and appoint on merit.
For further information please see attached the full job description and person specification.
To arrange an informal conversation with Sarah Chodkiewicz, Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) or David McNulty, Executive Director of Housing and Landlord Services please contact [email protected]
Apply
To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement that details how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification.
Closing date: Sunday 5th July 2026
No agencies please.
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.
