Finance Director

One borough; One community; No-one left behind

Barking and Dagenham is a New Kind of Council. Over the past four years we have gone through an ambitious transformation programme to ensure we are capable of delivering real change with our community. We have already transformed the ways that we work and have received a great deal of recognition for our advancements. Over the past 12 months our improvements have resulted in us winning LGC Driving Growth award and Council of Year in 2018 and LGC Entrepreneurial Council of the Year 2019, there is still more to do. Over the coming years we want to consolidate on the progress made and use the New Kind of Council to empower residents to live longer, healthier, happier and more independent lives. 

The New Kind of Council is not a traditional council hierarchy, it is a complex structure including wholly owned companies as well as in house service delivery units.  We believe in innovation and a commercial focus and have adopted an Investment and Acquisition Strategy which supports our growth agenda.  All of which adds complexity to the Council’s financial landscape.  The Finance Director will act as the Council’s Deputy S151 Officer and will play a key role in driving our continuous improvement and commercial thinking forward, so that resources are used in the best interests of citizens. You will provide professional expertise and strategic direction, ensuring that the Council, its elected members and officers get the advice and support they need to fulfil the Council’s vision. Due to the nature of the council structure you will be required to act as the S151 officer on certain key decisions to ensure effective separation of duties in our governance.

As well as strategic support, the Finance Director will provide leadership, inspiration and direction to the Council’s finance function.  The finance team has recently undergone significant change with new people and restructuring,  and will need to evolve further progress to ensure the finance function is embedded at the heart of the council. As the finance leader, your coaching leadership style will help the finance team achieve their potential and evolve to meet the needs of the new organisation and its partners.  Your leadership will enable effective support to all service areas to maximise efficiency in the delivery of those services and look to continuously add value.

To be suitable for the role you need to be a credible and inspirational CCAB qualified finance leader. Proven experience of influencing and supporting senior leaders in a political setting as well as driving through change is essential. Most importantly is a willingness to work in a non traditional environment and to encourage and develop new ideas into concrete actions.

For more information about Barking and Dagenham, the interview processes and to see the job description please refer to https://allenlanerecruitment.wixsite.com/lbbd or contact Will Ryan at Allen Lane on 0203 031 9635 for a confidential conversation.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to lbbd@allenlane.co.uk by by Monday 15th July. The cover letter should be no more then 2 pages and should include why you are interested in the position and why you believe you are suitable.