Head of Finance
Permanent, full-time post (working 37 hours per week) | Salary: up to £57,729 per annum
Location: Derwentside College, Consett, DH8 5EE
Closing Date: Tuesday 28 July 2026
Why Derwentside College?
Derwentside College is a vibrant and inclusive Further Education college located in the heart of Consett, delivering a broad range of high‑quality provision to young people and adults from across the local community. We are proud of our strong focus on student success, staff wellbeing and meaningful engagement with employers and partners.
In recent years, the College has made significant investment in its finance function including new financial reporting systems and stabilisation of the Team. These developments reflect our ambition to ensure financial stability that support growth, enhance the learner experience and support high‑quality teaching and support services.
Head of Finance
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Finance to lead the management and development of the College’s finance function, ensuring the delivery of effective financial planning, reporting, control and compliance. A fully qualified accountant, reporting to the Vice Principal Finance and Resources, the post‑holder will play a key role in supporting the College’s strategic priorities by ensuring the College remains financially sustainable and responsive to the evolving needs of learners, staff and the wider community. You will require significant senior finance leadership experience, including budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, financial controls and year-end reporting and proven experience leading and developing finance teams, with the ability to influence stakeholders and present complex financial information to non-financial audiences. The successful candidate will possess strong knowledge of financial governance, audit, risk management and regulatory compliance, with experience of working with auditors and managing robust financial controls.
What will you do?
The successful candidate will lead the operational delivery of the College’s annual budgeting and forecasting process, supporting the Vice Principal in the development of the College’s budget and financial plans. You will work closely with senior leaders, budget holders, curriculum teams and external partners, ensuring full compliance with accounting standards and statutory requirements. This role is ideal for a confident and collaborative leader with significant finance management experience, ideally within an education or public‑sector setting, who is committed to continuous improvement.
What’s in it for you?
- 36 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays
- College closure at 2pm Fridays and early closure during holiday periods
- Christmas closure days
- Automatic entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible working
- Annual staff celebration days
- Continuous professional development
- Free on-site parking
- On-site catering
- Salary sacrifice electric vehicle car leasing scheme
Want to know more?
This is a permanent, full-time post (working 37 hours per week). If you feel you have the experience and drive to fulfil this role and would like to discuss the post in more detail, please contact Tina Hannant (Vice Principal – Finance and Resources) via tina.hannant@derwentside.ac.uk or Deborah Minns (currently Head of Finance, incoming Vice Principal – Finance and Resources) via deborah.minns@derwentside.ac.uk.
Salary up to £57,729 per annum (pay award pending and potential market rate supplement may be considered)
The College is positively committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children, young people and vulnerable adults who attend its education and training provision. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The person appointed will be required to obtain a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure.
The College is positively committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children, young people and vulnerable adults who attend its education and training provision. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The person appointed will be required to obtain a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure.
As an equal opportunities employer, the College welcomes applicants from all sections of the community. If you require support with your application or any other part of the recruitment process please contact us on 01207 585900 or email hr@derwentside.ac.uk
Closing date for applications: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Please return completed application forms to hr@derwentside.ac.uk
No Agencies.
This job advert may close as soon as sufficient suitable applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.
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