Strategic Lead - Financial Services

To provide effective and robust financial support and advice to the Council, to support the Council’s Chief Officer/Section 95 Officer in the proper administration of the Council’s financial affairs, and to represent and substitute for the Chief Officer/Section 95 officer as may be required.

To have overall management responsibility for the provision of strategic financial support to services within one of the Council’s Service Clusters. To have overall management responsibility for strategic financial planning, treasury management and annual accounts to the Council and all its Service Clusters.

The post will be responsible for the strategic and operational delivery of Financial Services as part of an integrated approach and in line with the requirements of relevant legislation, regulation, codes of practice and guidance relating to financial services. The role will be to support all staff within the Finance team to deliver high quality financial services for the Council and Services within one of the Clusters, in accordance with the agreed delivery plan.

You must have a professional accounting qualification and a clear and focused understanding of Local Government financial procedures.

Responsibilities

1. To deliver high quality financial services and support, to support proper financial

administration of the Council’s affairs.

2. To represent the Chief Officer – Corporate Finance/Section 95 Officer as may be required.

3. To be a member of the Corporate Finance Management Team.

4. To be a member of one of the Cluster Service management team, providing effective and collaborative financial leadership across those Services.

5. Lead a Cluster Financial Team, ensuring effective and collaborative leadership is in place.

6. Ensure robust management of all budgets relating to the allocated Cluster services.

7. Have strategic and operational responsibility for the delivery of capital accounting and loan charge accounting, ensuring that the integration of services is at the forefront of delivery.

8. Ensure the delivery of high quality financial services and support, to the highest achievable professional standards and operated within clear and up to date operational policies and requirements of legislation, regulation, codes or practice and guidance. This including, but not limited to the delivery of financial services and support in relation to financial planning, budgetary control and monitoring, annual accounts preparation, returns and grant claims, financial policies and compliance.

9. To support the identification and securing of cost improvements, efficiency savings and Value for Money service delivery.

10. Ensure that financial services are robust and effective, and responsive to service user needs (internal or external) and achieve the best use of available resources.

11. Manage, coach and mentor as appropriate, team members as required, ensuring that they are equipped to provide financial services and themselves are operating within relevant professional and service standards.

12. Be the line manager for the allocated Cluster Financial Team.

13. Contribute to the development, delivery and ongoing planning and strategic management of the Corporate Finance service management plan and ensure that strategic priorities are effectively implemented at a local level.

14. Contribute positively to the effective strategic and corporate management of the Council and to the development, communication and implementation of the Council’s corporate plans and financial strategies in line with the Council Programme.

15. Foster and promote public understanding of the Council’s values, strategies, policies, achievements and constraints and maintain good relations with service users (internal and external), local and national organisations and groups.

16. Develop and support an organisational culture that promotes best value for the Council and its customers through continuous improvement.

17. Responsibility for developing and monitoring the risk register and business continuity plans and monitor compliance with internal and external policies.

18. Ensure services and teams have in place appropriate arrangements for managing staff, performance and budgets, including monitoring and the development and maintenance of appropriate performance indicators and performance review systems are in place across the service.

19. Co-ordinate and plan for changes to service delivery requirements, in close liaison with relevant colleagues.

20. Provide effective arrangements to promote good employee relations and effective trade union partnership working.

21. Effective implementation of HR and Occupational Health Safety and Wellbeing Policies to ensure wellbeing of service staff.

22. Provide professional and strategic leadership for any designated areas of service delivery.

23. Attend and provide reports as required to Committees and other meetings of the Council and any partner agencies as necessary. Represent the Chief Officer – Corporate Finance/Section 95 Officer at Strategic Committees and other meetings and forums.

24. Represent the Service and Chief Officer/Section 95 as required in other internal and external forums including Boards

25. Attend, contribute to and facilitate/lead regular meetings and relevant working groups both Service/Council wide.

Essential Attributes

1. A relevant degree and/or CCAB professional accounting qualification and evidence of continuing professional development.

2. Significant experience of leadership and management responsibilities in financial services/accounting.

3. Significant experience within Local Government Finance.

4. Ability to ensure the effective management of financial services within the Council and to the allocated Cluster Services and to provide leadership across the team.

5. Personal commitment to continuing professional development and delivery of high quality training for staff development.

6. Professional knowledge of the legislation, policy and good practice guidance affecting local government finance.

7. The ability to generate enthusiasm and commitment for the Council’s strategies, vision

and values.

8. The ability to lead a successful service by inspiring, motivating, supporting and developing and achieving high employee engagement.

9. Commitment to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality in service delivery.

10. The ability to communicate effectively in different mediums and forums with colleagues.

11. The ability to analyse financial information and manage budgets effectively.

12. The ability to effectively influence, negotiate, persuade or apply formal advocacy.

13. The ability to allocate and delegate tasks to make best use of resources.

14. The ability to analyse performance data, set targets and support improved performance in accordance with the outcome framework.

15. The ability to work both autonomously and with others, to make appropriate decisions and to work to find solutions to complex situations, with a positive approach to problem solving, identifying flexible and innovative solutions, whilst using Heads of Service and/or lead officers for service-specific advice as necessary.