Head of Finance and Commercial

Social Work England; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A national regulatory body is seeking a Head of Finance and Commercial to lead their finance and commercial functions. This role involves driving financial performance, ensuring compliance with standards, and managing a collaborative team. The ideal candidate will have a recognised accountancy qualification and experience in strategic financial management. A competitive salary and benefits package, including hybrid working and generous leave, are offered.

Benefits

Hybrid working

25-30 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Life insurance

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Post-qualification experience at senior management level.
• Experience leading and developing a high-performing team.
• Ability to develop annual budgets and costing models.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance and commercial functions, ensuring compliance with frameworks.
• Drive financial performance and embed financial discipline.
• Develop and implement financial strategies and budgets.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial analysis

Team leadership

Excellent communication

Relationship building

Education

Recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, CIPFA, ACCA or CIMA)

Job description

The Role

Are you a qualified accounting professional, and strategic leader? Do you have a passion for driving financial or commercial excellence? We’re looking for a Head of Finance and Commercial to lead a busy, collaborative team at the heart of our organisation, ensuring robust financial management and delivering insight that shapes key decisions.

From financial strategy and budget planning to payroll and procurement, your role is pivotal in driving financial performance and ensuring efficient utilisation of our resources. It’s a high‑impact environment where your leadership will inspire your team, strengthen financial discipline across the organisation, and help us achieve our mission.

Social Work England is the specialist regulator for social workers in England. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change in social work and ultimately improve people’s lives.

This is a rare opportunity to join a national organisation with an important mission, and to lead and develop a function that is critical to our future success within an inclusive, supportive environment.

About the Role

As Head of Finance and Commercial, you’ll lead our finance and commercial functions, ensuring compliance with internal and government frameworks and providing strategic advice to the executive leadership team. You’ll drive financial performance, shape long‑term sustainability, and embed a culture of financial discipline across the organisation. You’ll also manage a busy, collaborative team and work closely with colleagues at all levels to deliver insight, assurance, and value for money.

In Addition, You Will

• Lead and inspire the finance and commercial team, driving engagement and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement the organisation’s financial strategy and annual budget plan, advising the CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT), in its implementation.
• Provide accurate reporting, forecasting and financial models to inform strategic decision‑making by the ELT and the Board.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, audit standards, and government frameworks.
• Oversee production of annual accounts and liaise with auditors to deliver the audit plan.
• Manage procurement and commercial policies, ensuring value for money and compliance with public contracting regulations.
• Act as the main contact for auditors, bankers, pension providers, and the Department for Education sponsor team.
• Embed financial discipline across the organisation through knowledge sharing and robust internal controls.

About You

At Social Work England, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We strive to be collaborative, ambitious, fearless, independent and transparent. We’re looking for someone who can embody these values, inspire others, and contribute to our ambition to be an innovative and responsive regulator that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

In This Role We Are Looking For

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, CIPFA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Post‑qualification experience at senior management level.
• Previous experience of leading and developing a high‑performing team, fostering engagement and continuous improvement.
• The ability to think strategically while ensuring operational excellence in finance.
• Experience of developing annual budgets, costing models and providing accurate financial analysis.
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex financial information clearly to non‑financial colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strong relationship building and collaboration skills, able to work effectively across all levels of the organisation.
• A demonstrable commitment to inclusion, equality and diversity.

Benefits

In addition to your salary, we also offer:

• Hybrid working, typically working two days per week in the office.
• 25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
• The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
• A TIDE award‑winning inclusive culture, made up of staff networks, social events and forums.
• A pension scheme, life insurance, an employee recognition scheme and cycle‑to‑work scheme.

Application

During the application process, you'll be asked to provide answers to three questions from the job description. These answers will be what your application is scored on, please answer in as much detail as possible using examples where necessary.

Shortlisting will begin following the closing date, and applications won't be reviewed before this time.

Interviews will take place on the 27th and 28th January.

Pre‑employment checks will include verifying references, confirming your right to work in the UK, and completing a Basic DBS check. These checks are conducted in partnership with our third‑party provider, Amiqus.

If you are successful at interview, offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of these checks. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our recruitment team via [e-mail] and our team will be happy to help.

How to apply

Complete the application form by the closing date.

For more details about our application and interview process, please see the link on the job site.