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Director of Finance

Employee Specification

 

Criteria Requirement
Essential Desirable

Proven strategic leadership experience at a senior level within a large, complex local authority or equivalent organisation, with a demonstrable ability to shape and deliver financial strategy and corporate priorities.

  

Proven ability to operate corporately as part of a senior leadership team, shaping whole Council strategy and aligning services to deliver integrated organisational priorities.

  

Fully qualified CCAB accountant (or equivalent) with substantial post qualification experience and degree level education or equivalent.

  

Extensive experience of financial management, governance and assurance in the public sector, including responsibility for large and complex service budgets and corporate financial frameworks.

  

Experience of leading high performing, multi-disciplinary finance teams, driving continuous improvement, organisational change and a strong performance and development culture across complex services.

  

Experience of leading a large, complex and diverse portfolio of services, managing significant resources and delivering outcomes across multiple service areas.

  

Demonstrable success in supporting long term financial sustainability through medium term financial planning, capital strategy, treasury management and financial resilience.

  

Experience of operating effectively within a complex political environment, providing clear, authoritative financial advice to Members and senior leaders. 

  
Experience of leading or contributing to major transformation programmes, delivering improved outcomes, efficiency and value for money.  

Demonstrable experience of system leadership, working across organisational boundaries to design and deliver joined up services with partners, stakeholders and communities.

  

Strong understanding of local government finance frameworks, statutory requirements and governance, including the role and responsibilities of the Section 151 Officer and Deputy. 

  

In‑depth knowledge of budget strategy, financial planning, accounting standards, audit, risk management, treasury and capital programme oversight. 

  

Knowledge of Pension Fund governance, investment and administration, including the responsibilities of an Administering Authority. 

  

Highly developed communication, influencing and advisory skills, with the ability to provide clear, authoritative financial advice to Members and senior leaders. 

  

Strong commercial awareness and understanding of investment, income generation and financial appraisal. 

  

Provides confidence through clear, accurate and timely financial advice and insight.

  

Uses data, intelligence and feedback to improve service effectiveness and inform decision‑making.

  

Supports service redesign and delivery of outcomes that meet customer and community needs.

  

Strong analytical and commercial capability, able to evaluate complex financial issues, manage risk and drive value for money and transformational change.

  

High level political awareness, with the ability to operate sensitively and effectively in a Member‑led environment.

  

Experience of deputising for or directly supporting a Section 151 Officer in discharging statutory responsibilities.

  

Recognition and achievement at regional or national level within the profession.

  

Established networks and professional relationships at regional or national level.

  

 

Job outline

Overall purpose

To provide strategic leadership and professional oversight across all Finance Services (including Business Partnering, Corporate Finance, Pension Fund Investment and Administration, Revenue and Benefits, and Investment and Development), ensuring that financial strategy and governance support effective, integrated service delivery and long‑term financial sustainability across the whole Council.  

Provide strategic, organisation wide oversight of financial management and governance, safeguarding public funds, ensuring statutory compliance and acting as Deputy 151 Officer to the Executive Director of Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer), deputising as required in relation to the Council’s statutory financial responsibilities and the integrity of financial decision-making. 

Lead a large and complex department, delivering organisation wide financial insight, overseeing investment strategy, the capital programme, treasury and reserves management, and developing strong leadership and high‑performing, modern services that contribute to an inclusive, resilient and high‑performing Council. 

 

Principal accountabilities

  1. As an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, support the Strategic Leadership Team to shape high‑performing, inclusive and modern Council that delivers excellent services for residents.

  2. Inspire, develop and empower leaders and teams to exercise sound financial judgement and confident, evidence‑led decisions, while promoting a modern, inclusive and high‑performing culture across Finance and the wider Council, and strengthening financial management and governance through focused talent development and continuous professional growth.

  3. Provide strategic leadership, direction and professional oversight of all Finance Services, including Finance Business Partnering, Corporate Finance, Pension Fund functions, Revenue & Benefits, and Investment & Development, ensuring high performance, professional standards and alignment with Council priorities.

  4. Lead integrated working across departmental and organisational boundaries, ensuring Finance Services operate collaboratively, support strategic objectives, and provide high‑quality insight and challenge across the whole Council.

  5. Provide strategic financial leadership to support the Council’s long‑term financial sustainability, working with key partners and stakeholders to develop and deliver cross‑sector solutions, supporting joint commissioning and pooled budget arrangements where appropriate, and removing barriers to effective delivery and improved outcomes.

  6. As Deputy Section 151 Officer, deputise for the Section 151 Officer as required, including attending and advising at senior decision-making forums, and ensuring continuity of statutory financial leadership during periods of absence.

  7. Support the Section 151 Officer in discharging the Council’s statutory finance functions by leading (as delegated) the budget framework, medium-term financial strategy, revenue and capital monitoring, reserves strategy and the production of the annual Statement of Accounts, ensuring robust governance, assurance and compliance. 

  8. Ensure the Council’s financial strategies, policies and frameworks support sustainable long‑term financial planning and the delivery of strategic priorities, including setting and enforcing corporate financial frameworks (including financial regulations, scheme of delegation as relevant, and business case standards) and providing constructive challenge to enable pace, innovation and compliant decision‑making. 

  9. Provide strategic oversight of major investment proposals, ensuring alignment with priorities and value for money through rigorous business case scrutiny, robust appraisal and risk analysis, and ensuring all investment decisions remain transparent, risk aware and supported by sound financial evidence. 

  10. Provide corporate leadership for commercial, income, and investment governance ensuring robust options appraisal, benefits realisation, and contract/commissioning financial assurance across significant programmes.

  11. Embed strong financial management, safeguarding public money and ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and value for money across all services.

  12. Ensure the effective and efficient use of financial resources by driving service improvement and longterm resilience, leading organisation wide financial efficiency and resource optimisation, and identifying opportunities for cost reduction, improved commissioning and smarter investment.

  13. Evaluate financial risk and service delivery trade‑offs, responding to major business challenges and adjusting plans to maintain resilience and long‑term sustainability.

  14. Act as a senior adviser to Cabinet, Members and Executive Leaders, providing clear, timely and strategic financial and risk advice, ensuring that decisions are informed, transparent, risk‑aware and aligned with statutory responsibilities.

  15. Oversee Pension Fund assets, liabilities and administration, ensuring strong governance, risk management and stakeholder engagement.  Ensure compliance with the amended 2026 LGPS regulations and maintain strategic oversight of all fund operations through leadership of the Senior Pension Fund Manager. 

  16. Lead major transformation and change across Finance Services and contribute to transformation across the wider Council, ensuring continuity of performance, improved outcomes and collaborative, modern ways of working. 

  17. Lead long‑term financial and economic forecasting, providing insight into emerging demographic, policy and market trends, anticipating risks and opportunities, and ensuring this insight informs medium and long‑term financial strategy, resilience planning and transformation across the Council. 

  18. Enable and champion modern, agile and digital ways of working across the Directorate and the wider Council, driving innovation, streamlining processes and supporting responsive, efficient and data‑driven service delivery. 

  19. Any duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and level of responsibility of the post. 

In your role you are required to speak English with sufficient fluency to effectively perform your duties, as required by Section 77-84 of the Immigration Act 2016 

The above principal accountabilities are not exhaustive and may vary without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility.