Chief Finance Officer
Cornwall Council
£131,030 - £177,428
Cornwall is a place of real natural beauty, cultural richness and growing innovation, with strengths in renewable energy, critical minerals, defence, agri-food and space that are attracting investment and creating new opportunities for Cornish people. Cornwall Council is one of the largest unitary authorities in England, serving more than half a million residents and employing around 5,800 people, and delivers the full range of council services alongside its fire and rescue service, with its devolution deal providing a strong platform to turn Cornwall’s potential into good jobs, skills and investment.
THE ROLE
The Council is looking to appoint a Chief Finance Officer to lead its finances through the delivery of a three-year plan and help secure the Council’s long-term financial sustainability. As the statutory Section 151 Officer, you will be responsible for the effective stewardship of the Council’s resources, covering a gross revenue budget of around £1.6bn and a capital programme of around £1.8bn. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive as a key member of the Council’s Senior Leadership Team, you will lead a finance function covering accountancy, treasury management and pensions, revenues and benefits, and performance and business planning.
The Council has set a balanced budget across all three years of its Medium Term Financial Plan, which gives it a strong platform to build from. Delivering it depends on savings of more than £150m over the period, alongside continued investment in Together for Families and adult social care, where demand and cost pressures remain significant. You will lead the delivery of that plan with a tight grip on budget monitoring and savings, working with Strategic Directors to change the cost profile of the highest-spending services.
You will be a trusted adviser to the Leader, Cabinet and all Members, explaining complex financial choices clearly and giving candid advice in a politically varied environment. You will also lead the Council’s financial relationship with Government, including the opportunities that come with the devolution deal and a multi-year settlement, and act as lead financial officer for the Council’s group of companies. Within the finance function itself, you will build capability and confidence across the team so that finance works as a partner to services right across the organisation.
We are looking for a CCAB-qualified finance leader with experience as a Section 151 Officer or Deputy Section 151 Officer in a large and complex organisation. We welcome applications from across local government and the wider public sector, including the NHS and combined authorities.
INFORMATION
For further details, please click on the role profile and useful links below, or for more information please contact Tim Farr on 07756 293292 or tim.farr@starfishsearch.com.
Role ProfileTimeline
Closing Date: 9am, Monday 7th December
Longlist Meeting (Candidates not required): 17th December 2026
Preliminary Interviews (Teams): W/C 4th January 2027
Shortlist Meeting (Candidates not required): 12th January 2027
Final Panel Interviews (In-Person): 1st February 2027
Useful Links
How to apply
To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:
- Your CV (no more than three sides of A4).
- A supporting statement (no more than three sides of A4) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.
If our client is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you would like to apply under the scheme, please state that clearly at the top of your supporting statement, along with any adjustments you require to be made if invited for interview.
Apply