Director of Property and Finance

Overview

Brighton & Hove is a bold, diverse and iconic coastal city. It's a place our residents, workforce, businesses and visitors care deeply about. With rich cultural assets and a vibrant community spirit, we also face complex social challenges and stark inequalities that demand courageous leadership and fresh thinking. We're navigating a tough financial landscape but are driving forward through an ambitious transformation programme and a commitment to innovation. You'll be joining a learning organisation that values collaboration, creativity and impact.

We're looking for a strategic, forward-thinking leader to join our corporate leadership team and report directly to the chief executive.

Role - as our statutory Section 151 officer, you'll lead robust financial management and unlock the potential of our property portfolio to benefit all communities, shaping the city's future and ensuring resources are used wisely to realise our ambitions. This is a defining moment for Brighton & Hove, and we want someone ready to lead with purpose and drive lasting change.

Interview date - 24 November 2025. Prior to the interview date, the council will undertake a technical interview with shortlisted candidates.

At Brighton & Hove, we take a one Council approach to achieving our mission to create a better Brighton and Hove for all. You will be part of the Corporate Leadership Team, setting the tone and culture of the organisation and ensuring resources align to the Council Plan. Our values and behaviours are key to creating a City Council fit to meet residents' needs.

Role and responsibilities

Director of Property and Finance - report directly to the CEO and lead the overall direction and continuous improvement of the council to ensure effective service provision and delivery of priorities as set out by members and in the Council Plan. Your areas of direct responsibility include:

• Statutory S151 role
• Strategic Property and Estates Management
• Welfare, Revenues & Business Support
• Financial Operations and Procurement
• Audit (via the ORBIS shared services partnership)

You will also lead and manage a service directorate management team comprising:

• Head of Strategic Property
• Head of Welfare, Revenues and Business Support
• Deputy Chief Finance Officer and Head of Corporate Finance
• Head of Finance, Families, Children and Wellbeing Directorate
• Head of Finance, Homes and Adult Social Care Directorate
• Head of Finance, City, Central & Contracted Services
• Orbis roles: Chief Internal Auditor and Orbis Director of Procurement

Selection and terms

This role is politically restricted. For further information on what this means for employees in post, please see the attached document.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the position is less than 37 hours or term-time only. Relocation assistance of up to £10,000 is available if qualifying criteria are met.

Please read the council's Apply for a job guidance to understand how to complete your application and what happens after you've submitted it. You will need to provide your career and education history and answer shortlisting questions; your responses are critical to assessing essential requirements for the role as set out in the person specification.

There is enhanced vetting for senior recruitment. Our audit team will carry out a public profile search on shortlisted candidates, and final offers are subject to enhanced vetting including review of the previous 5 years of employment history. Any findings of potential concern will be discussed before an offer is made.

Company information

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce representative of the communities we serve and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background, as well as those who identify as disabled or trans.