Head of Service FinanceJobsGoPublic

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

A Head of Service Finance at Lewisham Council delivers high-level strategic business and financial advice to senior leaders. They help the council meet its corporate goals, manage budgets, and build strong financial plans

What’s the role? ……

Coordinate the budget monitoring and reporting for the council

Give expert financial and business advice to senior managers and directors.

Help create and manage budgets and financial strategies.

Experience of working with the DSG, HRA and social care budgets

Support business cases for new projects

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday allowance

Local Government Pension scheme

Flexible working and family friendly policies

Season ticket and bicycle loans

A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships

Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

As the Head of Service Finance, you will provide high-quality financial advice, insight, and challenge to support effective decision-making and sustainable service delivery. You will lead on budget monitoring, forecasting, and financial planning, ensuring financial information is accurate, timely, and meaningful. Working closely with senior leaders, you will build strong relationships, identify financial risks and opportunities, support the delivery of savings and transformation programmes, and help ensure resources are used effectively to achieve the best possible outcomes for Lewisham Council

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

Relevant CCAB qualification is needed

Some evening meeting attendance will be needed

Extensive knowledge of local government finance including social care, HRA and DSG

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Katharine Nidd via [email protected]

Closing date: Sunday 20th September 2026, 23:59.

Interviews will be held the week commencing Monday 5th October 2026.

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£96,864 - £103,074 per annum (JNC4)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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