Chief Finance Officer

Overview

As Chief Financial Officer, you will lead financial strategy, investment appraisal and long-term sustainability to support Forestry England’s growth and mission. You will partner with the Chief Executive and Executive Team to drive value, transformation and accountability across the organisation. You’ll oversee governance, financial insight and performance, enabling evidence-based investment and commercial excellence at scale. This is a pivotal, values-driven role shaping the financial backbone of a large, mission-oriented public body.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for financial planning, investment appraisal, performance management and long-term financial sustainability
• Act as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive and Executive Team to support growth, transformation and continuous improvement
• Ensure high standards of financial governance, accountability, control and compliance across the organisation
• Drive commercial performance and value creation through financial insight, investment planning and decision support
• Lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams across finance, commercial and wider corporate services functions
• Build strong relationships across Forestry England, the Forestry Commission family and external stakeholders to support innovation, funding opportunities and success
• Play a central role in corporate services transformation and systems improvement programmes

Key requirements

• Qualified accountant
• Senior leadership experience with track record of developing successful teams and influencing organisational strategy
• Commercial insight, strategic judgement and ability to lead through change
• Ability to guide investment decisions and drive value for money
• Focus on delivering environmental and social impact at scale

• Collaborative leadership
• Stakeholder management
• Strategic thinking
• Financial planning and investment appraisal
• Performance management and governance
• Management of financial control and compliance

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