JOB PURPOSE:
⦁ Provide high-quality strategic and financial advice and support to major services within the council, including relevant Lead Members and Executive and Senior Managers on behalf of the Council's finance function.
⦁ Advise on all elements of strategic finance and planning on behalf of the department for the council's business planning process, and work across the finance function on the development and delivery of departmental projects including capital programmes.
⦁ Strategically manage the relationship between the department and other bodies and other local authorities regarding meeting the council's financial remit and financial priorities.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
⦁ Lead and manage the business partnering team to develop and deliver a strong Financial Management function that supports the Director of Financial Management, Executive Director of Resources, and the organisation.
⦁ Manage effective working relationships with colleagues on Senior Management Teams and Leadership Team and collaborate to make a proactive contribution delivering departmental and corporate objectives.
⦁ Lead and manage financial support, advice, budgeting, accounting, and reporting services for the Resources and Chief Executive directorates in alignment with both corporate and departmental aims and priorities.
⦁ Develop and maintain partnership working, including acting as an effective ambassador and advocate with external organisations and providing financial advice on the financial position of key partners to inform Council decisions.
⦁ Lead on medium-term financial planning for assigned directorates, including ensuring that savings agreed are delivered, spending plans align with the strategy and key financial risks to the Council are appropriately monitored.
⦁ Lead on strategic service-focused monitoring and reporting of the Council's revenue budget and capital programme, including providing advice to officers and members.
⦁ Work collaboratively with other Heads of Finance in supporting services to deliver robust financial management in year that provide Value for Money and support successful achievement of planned savings, implementation of budget proposals and management of risk and service issues.
⦁ Interpret and provide briefings on legislative or policy changes that impact on financial planning and reporting.
⦁ Participate in the Savings and Transformation Programme as finance Lead for Resources and Chief Executives departments to develop and deliver on opportunities for maximising savings and delivering transformation.
⦁ Support the development of capital and revenue business cases from strategic outline to full business case delivery, through assessment of the financial and resource implications of options being considered in support and delivery.
⦁ Work with the Corporate Strategy Team to align finance and performance monitoring and reporting at both an operational and strategic level, including the use of dashboards to facilitate ownership and accountability by budget managers, EMT and Members.
Qualifications:
* Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) qualified, preferably Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
Skills; Experience and Attitude:
* Extensive knowledge of Local Government financial frameworks including accounting regulations, principles, policies and practices and reporting requirements.
* Extensive knowledge of Government funding regime, grant calculation and factors affecting the Council's allocation.
* Awareness of commercial contract negotiations, including subcontract relationships.
* Knowledge of the major factors, influences and legislation facing local government.
* A working knowledge of project management methodology, EU procurement and VAT requirements.
* Proven track record of achievement at a senior management level in a similarly large and complex organisation.
* Experience of supporting back office and frontline services in all stages of the financial cycle from budget estimation to closure of accounts and medium-term financial planning.
* Experience of delivering customer focused services and service improvements, managing demands and pressures on the service and tight deadlines.
* Experience of ensuring that the service is effectively resourced to deliver to the required standard.
* Experience of planning for a minimum of one year anticipating priorities, changing landscape and predict the future service.
* Experience of preparing business cases and commercial rates of return on various opportunities working as part of the top management team.
