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Head of Finance

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
Chelmsford, Essex
Salary
Up to £92,718 per annum
Closing date
21 Apr 2021
Reference
1195

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This position will initially, in line with current government guidance, be based from home. However, when government guidelines change going forward this role will work in a hybrid way, with an expectation that there will be a mix of days in the office and working from home/alternative locations.

Job Purpose

Essex County Council (ECC), one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, is continuing to manage its Covid-19 response and is focused on transformational recovery. The Head of Finance roles manage a team of finance professionals to drive the delivery of a high performing, customer focused service whilst creatively looking for ways to shape future services.

The Head of Finance plays a significant role, leading financial strategy for their portfolio and ensuring exemplary decision making and financial planning in the medium to long term. This must be balanced with ensuring compliance with all corporate requirements, statutory reporting and fiduciary duties.

As a strategic ECC leader you will have the ability to build strong internal and external working relationships, influencing other senior leaders, driving financial planning and direction whilst maximizing opportunities for insight and innovative solutions.

Service/Functional Accountabilities

Accountable for the development of financial strategy for a set portfolio, providing intelligence and insight on the likely financial consequences and highlighting risks on commercial decision making.

Accountable for determining key financial information regarding existing commercial and income generating operations. Leading commercial insight which enables the business to make ‘stop, grow, enter’ decisions relating to asset sweating, income, and profit generation.

Accountable for providing insight which enables functions to ensure payment of income. Actively leading and managing the optimisation of income recovery and creative ways to test ‘means to pay’.

Work collaboratively with Directors in commercial negotiations to achieve the best possible value for money outcomes. Develop strong and influential relationships with national and regional organisations to promote the interests of Essex, identify areas for innovation, learning, and income generation.

Responsible for driving cost reduction plans across the Council and meet strategic objectives. As a financial expert influence senior leaders and elected members on financial plans, monitoring performance and determining financial risks.

Accountable for sector wide finance collaboration, building networks to make ECC a leading-edge organisation for financial policy and practices. Working closely with regional finance groups, CIPFA and other relevant bodies to identify impact on new policy decisions.

Lead from a financial and commercial perspective in ensuring that all ECC proposals contributing to the strategic change agenda are viable, represent value for money and have the support of all stakeholders.

Influence senior management direction and decision making on financial and wider performance issues, deriving information and statistics from a wide range of sources.

Ensure all areas of financial risk to the Council’s service delivery are adequately identified, quantified, and reported and take steps to mitigate these.

Establish credibility with Executive Directors, their management teams, Cabinet Members, and other key stakeholders. Build strong working relationships with finance professionals across and outside of the organisation.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

  • Must possess a full CCAB qualification with significant post qualification experience.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in financial support.
  • Knowledge and understanding of strategic financial management and financial frameworks in a public sector setting. Proven track record of strong delivery and performance focus.
  • Experience of successfully leading and delivering major cultural and organisational change in a large complex organisation which is rapidly progressing.
  • Experience of Engaging and working with senior leadership teams, providing strategic financial advice and critical decision-making. Identifying and delivering innovative and effective means of financing the delivery of large-scale services.
  • Developing and managing financial management systems
  • Proven track record in forging a highly performing and motivated finance team from diverse backgrounds and the ability to lead and influence multi-disciplinary teams at senior management level to achieve strategic objectives.

Closing date: 21 April 2021.

Interviews to be held week commencing 3 May 2021.

To apply please click here https://www.workingforessex.com/apply/head-of-finance-1195/

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found on https://www.workingforessex.com/working-here/pay-reward/

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk or call us on 0333 013 5888. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:30 - 16.30.

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