Chief Finance Officer

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a strategic and commercially astute finance leader to join Kent Police as our Chief Finance Officer (CFO).

As CFO and Section 151 Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and long-term sustainability of the organisation. As the Chief Constable's principal professional adviser on finance and financial governance, you will provide clear, independent advice to support executive decision‑making and ensure that public money is safeguarded and used economically, efficiently, and effectively.

This is much more than a finance role. It is an opportunity to help shape the future of policing in Kent, which has a diverse county of 1.7 million people living in urban, rural and coastal communities. You will work as part of the senior leadership team in a complex and high‑profile public service environment, where your financial expertise will have a direct impact on the communities we serve.

You will be supporting responsible use of public funds, contributing directly to sound governance, organisational resilience, value for money and the effective delivery of policing services.

Reporting to the Director of Support Services but directly responsible to the Chief Constable on financial matters this senior leadership position will lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive finance strategy aligned to the operational and strategic priorities of Kent Police. You will ensure the highest standards of financial stewardship, governance, control, and statutory compliance, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen management insight and maximise the impact of public funding.

The role will also provide senior strategic leadership of the Estates function, maintaining oversight of delivery, risk, performance, budgets, assets, and contracts, while drawing on appropriately qualified specialists for technical property, surveying, engineering, and building safety advice.

You will oversee and lead the Force’s financial strategy and budget planning, ensuring financial management information and assurance arrangements are in place to strengthen organisational insight and monitor financial performance. The role will act as Delegated Scheme manager for the Police Pensions Scheme on behalf of the Chief Constable.

You will be a CCAB-qualified accountant with significant post‑qualification experience in senior financial leadership, ideally gained within a complex public sector, or similarly regulated environment. You will combine strong professional judgement with the ability to influence at Board /Executive level and provide clear, independent challenge on strategic, financial, and organisational matters.

Experience of strategic oversight of estates, major assets or another substantial technical service would be advantageous, but is not essential. You will need the leadership capability to quickly establish yourself and provide effective strategic leadership across both Finance and Estates, drawing on qualified technical estates expertise where appropriate.

• A strong track record of strategic leadership, professional influence and effective challenge at Board or Executive level.
• Expert knowledge of financial strategy, governance, statutory reporting, risk, audit, and the stewardship of public money.
• Commercial acumen and the ability to identify and deliver efficiencies, investment opportunities, and sustainable organisational value.
• The ability to interpret complex information and provide clear, timely and evidence‑based advice to senior decision‑makers.
• Excellent communication, political awareness, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative, inclusive and values‑led…