Head of Finance

• Hourly Rate: £300-£375 a day
• Location: Corporate Resources Service, Finance Division
• Job Type: Interim Contract

We are seeking a Head of Finance to provide decisive and effective leadership within our Finance Division. This role is crucial for leading the finance support for major service areas and the corporate Council, providing high-level strategic advice and ensuring the delivery of an efficient, effective, and compliant finance function.

• Formally manage and develop council employees and supervise activities carried out by matrix-managed staff or those temporarily deployed for projects.
• Control a range of complex and diverse work areas including financial and accounting services, financial strategy, VAT and taxation advice, treasury management, financial operations, and schools finance.
• Prepare the revenue budget, medium-term financial strategy, capital programme, and treasury management strategy for the corporate Council or individual services and departments.
• Monitor, review, and interrogate actual and forecast revenue and capital spending/income throughout the financial year, taking action and drafting reports as appropriate.
• Oversee the year-end closure process and reporting, as well as treasury management and VAT/taxation performance.
• Provide strategic financial analysis and advice to the Council’s most senior officers, the City Mayor/Executive, Scrutiny, Schools Forum, external partnership boards, etc., through reports, presentations, and attendance at meetings and discussions.
• Identify creative and innovative ways within the Finance Division and across other services to maximise the use of resources, improve value for money, improve service delivery, save money, and manage the effects of funding changes.
• Keep abreast of national, regional, and local developments with a financial dimension, undertaking appropriate analysis and communication and updating related strategies and policies.

• Significant experience managing financial services at a senior level in a large public sector organisation.
• A track record of successful achievement in financial management.
• Experience of managing teams with specialist financial knowledge.
• Proven ability in influencing and negotiating with others who may have conflicting viewpoints and agendas, with evidence of successful outcomes.
• Experience of working with lay representatives such as elected members.
• Successful experience of leading the management of change.
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills to manage complex budgets.
• Excellent presentation skills.

• Competitive hourly / daily rate
• Opportunity to lead and influence high-level strategic financial decisions.
• Engage with a variety of stakeholders and make a tangible impact on public services.
• Immediate start for the right candidate

To apply for the Head of Finance position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this position.