Strategic Finance Lead (Adult's and Children's Services)

Richmond and Wandsworth Council
Strategic Finance Lead (Adult’s and Children’s Services)
MG2 – MG3 - £67,976 - £95,845

In 2016, both Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth entered a shared staffing arrangement and for nine years the strong relationship between the boroughs has been cemented with a single Chief Executive and senior management team. They lead a workforce of over 3,000 staff (excluding schools) to deliver high quality services to residents and each council retains its sovereignty and governance, including responsibility for setting its own budget, determining priorities, and developing local policy and programmes that matter to residents.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to make a real difference to the councils and to play a crucial role in delivering high-quality, cost-effective services. The successful candidate will be part of an innovative service model – providing financial support to service departments through a corporate lens. The post holder will manage a high performing team who are delivering financial support to service managers and overseeing budget management within both the adult’s and children’s service directorates. For children’s in Richmond, this includes managing the contractual finances for the community interest company which delivers our children’s social care, education and health.

Despite the financial pressures facing all councils, Richmond and Wandsworth are focused on protecting front line services for residents and delivering on promised commitments. No two days in finance are the same - you’ll be joining a supportive integrated team that offers the opportunity to develop and learn new skills as different challenges present themselves.

As a Strategic Finance Lead, you will:

- Oversee complex financial control functions and provide expert financial advice to Members, Directors, and service managers.
- Lead on budget planning, monitoring, and financial strategy, ensuring alignment with council policies.
- Provide strategic financial oversight and support key decision-making processes.
- Ensure compliance with accounting principles and CIPFA codes of practice.
- Supervise the preparation of major financial claims and statistical returns.
- Deputise for the Director of Financial Management when required.
- Provide strong leadership, motivating staff to deliver exceptional financial services.

Person Specification:

• CCAB qualified or equivalent;
• Good understanding of legislation, accounting standards and accounting codes of practice governing local authority accounts and financial procedures with the ability to interpret complex issues and apply them;
• Knowledge and understanding of key strategic and policy issues relating to local government finance;
• Significant experience of successfully managing own workload and that of others in an environment where deadlines and priorities frequently change and are often conflicting;
• Experience of working with financial systems, including developing business user reports in the context of financial management;
• Experience in speaking at high level meetings which may require immediate response without notice on matters relying on broad experience and requiring ad hoc professional advice;
• Ability to identify issues and options and to anticipate risks when undertaking financial evaluations;
• Good interpersonal skills to liaise with Directors, external auditors, service managers and Members;
• Effective in communicating and asserting financial issues with the ability to simplify and present complex financial issues and both clear and concise report drafting skills;
• Meticulous approach/ working papers for dealing with complex tasks and high value transactions.

If you’re ready to take on a strategic finance leadership role and make a real difference in local government, we want to hear from you! 

Richmond and Wandsworth Council is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.